Best processor that is excellent for 2 Ch music

1/28/06
I don't think anything in this price range will come close in 2 channel sound to a Linn AV 5103. These things retailed for over $8000 just three years ago when they were replaced by the Kristo (15k), but one can be had now for around $1500. It is an absurdly good deal. They were actually Linn’s reference preamp until the arrival of the Klimax Kontrol. One reason they are so cheep is that they do not do multichannel SACD processing. But this is not an issue if you are 2 channel only guy when it comes to music (like me).

If you buy one of these, make sure you get a later model (blue instead of green display) that has DTS. The only downside is that they are complicated beasts to set up. Ideally, get a Linn dealer to do it for you. It cost me only $30 to get this done. (I am sure you can figure it out if you like reading manuals and fooling around with things technical, it is just not my scene.) Also, some people have a very inflated idea of what these bring on the used market, but the reality is $1500 should buy one with DTS if you are even a little patient.

I'm supprised no one has mentioned Theta. I've used the Casablanca for 6-7 years and have just upgraded my original processor to the version III. I couldn't be happier. With the Extreme DACs the unit is really detailed but musical. You can find the original Casablancas for < $2000.00 and the version II's for < $3500.00. The Casablancas have a stereo pass through (although only for single ended inputs) and analog volume control.

Good Luck,

John

I'm in search of a similar unit. I need balanced outs, but what I'm wondering is if anyone has compared the analog bypass on any of the mentioned units. I have a nice DAC for 2 channel and would like to know which is best for use as a volume control.

sc

I'm in search of a similar unit. I need balanced outs, but what I'm wondering is if anyone has compared the analog bypass on any of the mentioned units. I have a nice DAC for 2 channel and would like to know which is best for use as a volume control.

sc

For the money, and best performance out of both for the money, I suggest the traditional audiophile approach. This is basically keeping a 2 channel setup/rig, while looping a good 5.1 processor into an auxilary or "pass through" input on your 2 channel preamp, as another "source input"!
What this will do is to allow you to have the purity of your 2 channel system intact, as usual. Then, you can simply switch to your input that has the 5.1 processor attached (where all your other channels/speakers are attached to your AV pre/pro), playing the left and right speakers out through your 2 channel setup at unitygain.
Again, you can have your 5.1 pre "off" while doing 2 channel sources, tuner, cd player (assuming quality CD source component,dac's, etc), turntable, etc). This is the best compromise for the money. You can get a superb sounding higher end 2 channel pre for $500-700 range used, often less, and a good Acurus Act 3 (superb for 5.1 movies,dd/DTS,etc) for around $400-500 range used. This is how I'd do a system for a budget, where 90% of your needs are 2 channel, yes!
Otherwise, you're looking at somewhat of a compromise most often in the 2 channel department, greatly leaning on the quality of the preamp section and DAC's in your AV processor! Often, you need to spend lots to try to get high fidelity 2 channel PCM from a pre/pro, as compared to a good 2 channel analog setup.
If you don't want to do this, you might look into used Anthem AVM20. Still, I bet you won't get the same 2 channel sound as what I recommend, with a good CD player/source.
Things are always a compromise one way or another...convenience vs perfomance