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AV Processor Question

I'm getting the Emotive XPR-5 power amp and I'm looking for the device connectivity.

AV Receivers all seem to come with amplification and I don't need more amplification. I certainly don't want to pay for it if I've already got it.

So I started looking at AV Processors and found they cost more than with the amplification! Presumably they're marketed more to the high end user - but what's a poor boy to do?

What's the best value here? The amp blew my budget so I'm looking for the most for the least.

Thanks - rev
revnice

Showing 2 responses by saeyedoc

saeyedoc
103 posts
 
I too have a 5 channel Parasound amp that I was running with a BK ref20 until recently. After seeing how much dedicated pre/pros are, I ended up getting an Anthem MRX300 to use as a pre/pro. It's been working great.
I'd buy a receiver based on the features you want. You can always use some of the amp channels for extra surrounds or a second zone.
I figure at $1k, it's so much less expensive than the pre/pros that I can just upgrade it in a few years if there are significant changes in technology.
saeyedoc
103 posts
 
I think it's a bit of both. The AVRs, especially mainstream brands like Denon and Onkyo have economy of scale on their side. Dedicated pre/pros may use better quality parts, have more features and/or configuration flexibility, but it's subject to the law of diminishing returns.
There's a big gap in price between a good $1000-2000 AVR and a $6k+ pre/pro. Marantz has a reasonably priced pre/pro, but it doesn't even have the most up to date version of Audyssey.
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