One thought for you to chew on:
The technology in multi-channel pre-amps (pre-pros) may be the main area in home audio (source players, i.e. disc formats, etc. would be another) in which obsolescence is an on-going risk. In recent years critical features in a pre-pro (HDMI connectivity, DSP solutions, etc.) have changed pretty dramatically and I'd expect to see those changes and improvements continue, so...
1) You may want to re-think a used purchase. In this particular game, newer usually means better (in feature sets, at least).
and
2) I'd be inclined to back off the $ on the pre-pro and focus on the amps, speakers, etc. Even if you find the perfect pre-pro, you may need to replace it <5 years. You can find really good pre-pros in the $2K range (Onkyo/Integra was my choice - there are others, too) and I suspect that these might be a better resource allocation.
The other half of the equation to keep in mind is that (unlike most 2 channel systems) the performance of the firmware in a 5.x or 7.x system is critically important to the final result. Unless you intend to bypass the subs for music, it's that firmware which will provide the x-over function and (usually) room correction. IME (and I auditioned a sh*tload of stuff over the 18 months I researched this purchase), the Audyssey 32xt firmware in my Onkyo will stack up against the solution in any megabux unit.
One proviso: the ARC firmware in the Anthem gear is, in some ways, more flexible than XT32 and Meridian's "bass-centric" solution may be more appealing to some who prioritize minimal DSP. However, I thought xt32 sounded as good/better than anything else that I auditioned.
BTW, my system is 2.2 ch audio only, so there may be video processing benefits in the higher priced units that aren't relevant to me or the point I'm making here.
As always, YMMV.
Marty
The technology in multi-channel pre-amps (pre-pros) may be the main area in home audio (source players, i.e. disc formats, etc. would be another) in which obsolescence is an on-going risk. In recent years critical features in a pre-pro (HDMI connectivity, DSP solutions, etc.) have changed pretty dramatically and I'd expect to see those changes and improvements continue, so...
1) You may want to re-think a used purchase. In this particular game, newer usually means better (in feature sets, at least).
and
2) I'd be inclined to back off the $ on the pre-pro and focus on the amps, speakers, etc. Even if you find the perfect pre-pro, you may need to replace it <5 years. You can find really good pre-pros in the $2K range (Onkyo/Integra was my choice - there are others, too) and I suspect that these might be a better resource allocation.
The other half of the equation to keep in mind is that (unlike most 2 channel systems) the performance of the firmware in a 5.x or 7.x system is critically important to the final result. Unless you intend to bypass the subs for music, it's that firmware which will provide the x-over function and (usually) room correction. IME (and I auditioned a sh*tload of stuff over the 18 months I researched this purchase), the Audyssey 32xt firmware in my Onkyo will stack up against the solution in any megabux unit.
One proviso: the ARC firmware in the Anthem gear is, in some ways, more flexible than XT32 and Meridian's "bass-centric" solution may be more appealing to some who prioritize minimal DSP. However, I thought xt32 sounded as good/better than anything else that I auditioned.
BTW, my system is 2.2 ch audio only, so there may be video processing benefits in the higher priced units that aren't relevant to me or the point I'm making here.
As always, YMMV.
Marty