2. home-theater
  3. 153779-116810

Amp and Processor

I apologize in advance for making this post so long.  I'm in a two channel system now with a PS Audio BHK Preamp, BHK Monoblocks, and Focal Sopra 3s.  The right Focal 35 inches from the wall and the left Focal is open ended.  The width of the room is 15 feet.  The Focals are 20 inches from the back wall,  The ceiling is 8 feet high.  I know the speaker placement is not ideal, but I have constraints.  I am using an OPPO 205, PSA Audio Direct Stream DAC and PS Audio Direct Stream Memory Player.  The music is bright and disappointing.  Aside f rom that, I'm thinking of going to a Home Theater system with Focal Sopra 2s, Focal Sopra 1s and a Focal Center speaker.  I will no longer use the PS Audio gear or Focal Sopra 3.  I'm looking for a relatively high end processor and 5.1 channel amplifier.  For the amplifier, I'm thinking of using a Krell Chorus 5200 XD.  I'm stuck on the processor.  I'd love to get the Bryston SP4, but it may  be out of my budget.  I've also looked at Anthem and Marantz.  I still want to hear excellent stereo sound.  Any suggestions?
daj2832
spinaker01
491 posts
 
I hate to disagree with millercarbon AGAIN but as others here have mentioned, there are some excellent HT processors which sound outstanding for 2 channel listening. My previous Anthem AVM60 springs to mind and I’m certain many others do as well. I would however concur that if you can listen to a processor in your system and make your own value determination, this is the way to go
soix
8,860 posts
 
Is you priority 2-channel or HT?  Not really sure how to make suggestions without knowing what’s most important to you. 
daj2832 OP
14 posts
 
HT
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Depending on what wire he has in his system, the Anthem AVM60 might be too fast and too much resolution for the focal.  I have used the Bryston SP3 in my system - uses all discrete Class A analog output stages (just like a high end preamp).  It is very nice, very smooth sound and just about the best and strongest bass I've had out of a HT processor.  However, it was just too laid back in the mids and upper mids for my tastes.  This might match exactly what daj2832 needs because he is complaining that the Focal are too bright and harsh.

That being said, if you are locked onto the Krell Chorus XD amp, the Bryston might not be the best match because the new Krell amps really smooth over the sound and smooth out the high frequencies.  Pairing the Krell XD with Bryston SP3 might be too laid back at this point.  It's difficult to say because system synergy is a weird thing.
soix
8,860 posts
 
I'm in a two channel system now with a PS Audio BHK Preamp, BHK Monoblocks, and Focal Sopra 3s.
The music is bright and disappointing.
Aside f rom that, I'm thinking of going to a Home Theater system with Focal Sopra 2s, Focal Sopra 1s and a Focal Center speaker.
I have to ask why you’d go right back to Sopras after such a disappointing outcome with them in your stereo system because it probably ain’t gonna get better in a HT setting.  There are tons of fantastic speakers at and even below the Sopra’s entry fee, so why the fascination with and devotion to that model?  If it’s me and I’m using the term “bright and disappointing” to describe my system, I’m not walking but running in a very different direction.  My advice would be to go listen to other speaker/systems that don’t sound “bright and disappointing” and move in that direction before even contemplating what prepro/amp to go with.  But that’s me.  Best of luck. 
More to discover