Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

FAQ / News / Events

Video Asylum

Processors

198.182.177.3

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Video Asylum ] [ FAQ ]

I own many high end two channel components, mainly tube gear, but am looking at jumping on the multi-channel band wagon as well. Although I am very familiar with two channel products, I consider myself lost with the multi channel stuff. I'm OK with amplification and am holding out for Bel Canto's digital 6 channel amplifier. Where I'm really lost is on the level of processors. Very few of the high end manufacturers produce home theater processors and it may not be their bag anyway. What I'm looking for are a few suggestions on some lines to check out which offer excellent performance for the price. Are the Lexicons and Meridians still the cat's meow or are there some other new comers that deserve more attention? The MSB MDP looks like an interesting unit, but they have been very slow bringing this product to market. For the record, I have invested a great into 2 channel audio and would like to identify some exceptional processors which still offer uncompromised performance without breaking the bank. Am I asking for too much? Like I said, I'm lost in this department. Any advice would be appreciated. Many thanks.

Follow Ups:

Re: Processors Karl W. 18:18:40 05/18/00 (0)
Find this months Widescreen Review. Cal audio labs is the best I have heard and I have heard them all. I owned a Proceed avp but sold it and bought this unit after several months of auditoning gear. Good to the main forum and read my post on the unit. It is the best compromise that I have seen but is still shy of tube quality.
Chapter 1, Scene 1, a masked stranger approaches.... late 15:24:42 05/18/00 (2)
hi,
Got some questions: Is this a combi system; or is the theater going in a seperate room? The best of both worlds is to have both worlds ( i'm a subtle kinda guy). But if 2 systems, preferably in seperate rooms is not an option; there are some tough choices to make.
Btw, there are some genuinely terrific HT amps from guys like CJ,Proceed,EAD. OTOH, i have some real questions about the price/performance ratio of digital amps right now.
Processors typically fall into the $2-3k, 4-5k, or ohmigawd, categories. Take your pick.
- Re: Chapter 1, Scene 1, a masked stranger approaches.... John B 15:47:54 05/18/00 (1)
  I have serious reservations about Class A and even Class AB multi-channel amps in a home theater system. Heat, weight, size and current draw just to name a few. As fond as I am of tube gear, there is no doubt in my mind digital amplifiers will excel in multi-channel applications. If you are not familiar with the Bel Canto Evo digital amplifier it would be worth your while to take a look and listen to one. This is the only solid state amplifier that approaches tube amplification performance without the more obvious drawbacks. A number of digital amps on the market have serious band aid circuits and what I would now consider old school technology. Bel Canto is the first high end company to produce Class T digital products. After owning the Evo amp and hearing many others, tube, SS and digital, I am confident the Bel Canto multi-channel digital amp will really kick and work within the limitations of most homes and budgets for that matter without compromise.
  To answer your question, this will be a separate system. I am just looking for leads on some high quality processors and/or preamp/ processors. I'd like to keep the price range around the 3K mark but have an open mind and a flexible budget.
  - he reaches into a pocket.... late 17:37:58 05/18/00 (0)
    hi,
    HT sound is somewhat limited in quality. Which makes me wonder
    how much of that very expensive refinement will see the light of day... As for me, i got a middle of the road $2K 6 channel amp years
    ago. It does double duty. I have vague thoughts of getting a nicer stereo amp; but i doubt very much it will ever happen.
    Anyway, Mart went looking for a top flight processor and wound up
    with the EAD. There are a number of good brands out there, but the ones that match your description are $4K and up.
    I have a B+K which is nice, but i suspect you want to go for the Proceed or EAD. Most brands do not go for a hi end sound, it's not really a theater type of sound. So you will need to find an acceptable compromise.
    If you want a great HT quickly, just pop the checkbook and get
    a Proceed or EAD system.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

You can not post to an archived thread.