Anthem vs Krell vs Meridian

Dbld,

As far as I know, there are no 7.1 sources available. The high def DVD specs allow for 7.1, but I'm not aware of any 7.1 discs having been released.

From the information on the Krell website, I don't know how Krell PrePros can take a 2.0, or 5.1, or 6.1 input and generate a 7.1 output. DPLIIx and Logic 7 have a proven capability to do that.

By 7.1 output, I'm not referring to sending a mono signal to both rear speakers, or duplicating the side surround signals in the rear surounds. Instead, I mean generating distinct signals (am not saying discrete by the way) to all 4 surround speakers.

Having the ability to accept 7.1 analog inputs is nice, and if / when there are high def DVDs with 7.1 audio, and the players output that over 7.1 analog outputs, then I can see how the Krell PrePros could do 7.1 as a MC preamp. But I'm not aware of any 7.1 analog feeds available today.

There is Krell Music Surround, but I can't tell from the website if that generates 7.1 outputs, and I have not seen any reviews or comments on how well that performs.

Thanks
Bruce

Michaelmk,

Is your MC system 7.1? Or do you plan to go to 7.1 at some point? If so, then you'll want to have DPLIIx and / or Logic 7.

Krell PrePros only have DPLII, not DPLIIx, and DPLII only suppports 5.1.

AFAIK, the other PrePros mentioned have DPLIIx, or in the case of Lexicon both DPLIIx and Logic 7.

FWIW, I evolved from 5.1 to 7.1 and found 7.1 provides a much better surround envelopment.

Thanks
Bruce

Dbld,

I may need to do some more reading to better understand how the different PrePros generate 7.1 outputs from less than 7.1 inputs. I'm only familiar with DPLIIx and Logic 7. I'm still surprised, however, that Krell doesn't yet offer DPLIIx.

The Star Wars ES you mention may be the EX 6.1 format(?). As I understand, if the PrePro has EX processing, then it will send the 6th surround channel to the two rear speakers, but I don't know the details.

My bigger interest is generating distinct 7.1 outputs from 2.0 sources (movies or music) and 5.1 sources (movies or music).

I know different people have different preferences on listening in steroe vs MC, and 5.1 versu 7.1. Some are quite passionate about their preferences! In my own case, I much prefer listening to everything in 7.1.

Thanks
Bruce