2. home-theater
  3. 1347344385

Diminishing Returns In A Hi-End Preamp/Processor?

.
I will always have a separate 2-channel preamp in my system, period. That being said, the two-channel performance in a processor for me means absolutely nothing. I have a stand-alone home theater system.

Therefore, all other components in the system being equal, can the home theater sound of a $1500 processor approach the performance of a $7500 processor like the Anthem D2v?

In a $7500 pre/pro, how much of that is 2-channel excellence? I don't want to pay for what I don't use.

If I've got a killer 2-channel preamp, superior 2-channel performance in a pre-pro is redundant and wasteful.

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?

mitch
.
128x128mitch4t

Showing 1 response by mateored

mateored
258 posts
 
I think it matters a lot what your video habits are and how much importance you assign to the sound in those situations. I agree with Loomis that if you're watching a lot of "Pawn Stars" and the like, it won't make any difference. If, on the other hand, you watch a lot of big-production Blu-Ray movies, you might care more about the sound. Even so, I would expect the amps, speakers, subs and room treatment to make a much bigger difference for cinematic audio than the pre-pro.

In my case, I have a tiny house and share my system for 2-channel and 5.1, so I thought it was worth spending more to buy an Anthem (AVM 50v). However, if I had a separate HT rig, I'd probably buy a $1500 processor (unless it was a full-on custom big-buck home theater situation)
More to discover