Which processor? Linn, Rotel, Outlaw, Meridian?


I have a great Linn 5 channel amp, great Linn Espek/Ekwal speakers, a good Velodyne sub, and a crappy Onkyo receiver as the processor. I am looking to upgrade and get a new processor but cannot spend more than $1500. Music/movies are 50/50 on this system.

I can pick up an OLD Linn AV5103 for under $1500.
I could buy a brand new Outlaw for $1099.
I could buy a Rotel 1066 for about $700.
...or a Meridian 568 for under $1500.

I don't believe anything will be future proof so I don't mind buying used gear. However, would "brand new" Outlaw chips be better than older chips? Any recommendations would be appreciated. Also, SACD, DVD-A is not a big deal for me. PLII would be nice but not necessary.
rushrx

Showing 1 response by d_edwards

"I don't understand why people buy processors instead of a really good MCh preamp combined with the digital player of your choice which will have all the processing in it."

Because it doesn't have half the processing in it, players have exceptionally crude processing in them and in my experience you cannot setup a player with any level of accuracy for your setup.

There's a great deal more to a prepro than you are aware of. People over look the software in these processors and how software is more important than hardware. What's a computer without software, did you ever consider looking ast it that way?

Simply put the BEST Mch pre with the BEST multi format player is going to vastly inferior to a good prepro. If you can prove otherwise I'd like to hear how you pulled it off.