Diminishing Returns In A Hi-End Preamp/Processor?

Mitch asks:

So, my question is, as you go up the pre-pro price chain starting at $1500, does the processing get proportionately better, or is performance of the 2-channel getting markedly better?

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I did a fair bit of research on this question about 2 years ago. I was looking for a pre-pro to replace my ARC LS-25 in a 2.2 channel, music only system because I had added subwoofers and the involved x-over hardware I was using (don't ask) involved multiple boxes and had become a PITA. I don't use the video functions at all, so the following conclusion is limited to audio performance.

Based on reasonably extensive (tho by no means exhaustive) auditioning of pre-pros at many price points, I reached the following conclusion:

If you're using the pre-pro in X.1 or X.2 channel configurations with a digital source and using the internal software to effect the x-over (and likely room correction) in the digital domain, I found little to no audible improvement as the price of the pre-pro goes up from the $1500-$2000 range (where top-line software is employed).

If you switch to the "analog direct" option, it's a much harder call, particularly if you're using analog sources. At some auditions, I felt like the difference in A/B was pretty material, at others, much less so. I knew that I was not likely to go the all analog route very often (deeply spoiled by the convenience of my Q-Sonix server), so I went with a $1500ish Onkyo 5508.

Reiterating: This is just my personal take...and one based on an extensive, tho by necessity limited sample of A/B comparisons of the lower vs higher priced pre-pros.

Marty

None on the audio side IMHO

Jdub,

Analog Direct kills the digital cross-over and directs all bass to the main speakers. The Pure Audio (sic?) mode kills all video DSP. The idea is to re-create a minimalist 2 channel high-end system.

I found that it works pretty well. However, your main speakers must have sufficiently wide bandwidth (or your preferred program material must have sufficiently limited bandwidth) to justify killing the subwoofers or this mode will probably make little sense (to me anyway). If the bottom octaves don't matter - for either of those reasons - then it comes down to Audyssey or no Audyssey. I like the former in most every set-up that I've heard, but YMMV.

When I was comparing more expensive and less expensive pre-pros, I suspect that the performance of the DSP software dominated my own evaluation of the listening experience. I preferred Audyssey XT32 to "lesser" Audyssey versions, but not dramatically. The Meridian and Anthem alternatives did sound a bit different from high-end Audyssey equipped models, but in both cases, I found the delta pretty subtle.

My take-away: spend up for the XT-32, but not more than that.

As always, YMMV.

Marty

Jdub,

You've asked the one really tricky question that I'm reluctant to answer.

Honestly, I thought that the Integra sounded very good in Analog Direct, and it impressed me as a "traditional" preamp. However, there were times that the Meridian (on direct A/B) sounded better to me. On other occasions, I thought they were closer. I liked the Anthem in analog mode, too. If I were planning to use the unit in this mode -ultimately, I concluded that I was not - I would have done further auditioning before buying. Once I decided that Analog Mode performance wasn't a real factor in the decision, I pulled the trigger on the least expensive XT32 unit out there (Onkyo).

Marty

Unless, memory confounds (I haven't used Analog Direct since I bought the unit) Analog Direct kills all audio DSP, including the x-over and Audyssey.

I do recall auditioning the Integra in Analog Direct mode using a CD source and the big Gallo 5 LS speakers without subwoofers, but I can't recall which power amps were in the chain. I thought it sounded very good for a solid state pre-amp and was pretty impressed. However, when we switched out of Analog Direct and engaged Audyssey, the bottom octaves cleaned up instantly and the mid-seemed more articulate and detailed,too.

It was not much shy of complete transformation, in my book.

In the end, FOR ME, Analog Direct became a great idea, but one that I knew would be of little to no practical use to me, so I just kinda ignored it.

Marty