Can anyone tell me about the Proceed PAV good /bad

Are you sure you meant the Proceed PAV? There is a big difference between the Proceed PAV and the Audible Illusions L1. The PAV is an older, outdated, solid state surround sound processor (SSP), which sounded good in two channel for a SSP, but I don't think it (or any SSP for that matter) can compete sonically with a good stereo preamp. The AI L1 is a tube line stage stereo preamp. Given the choice between these two, I would go with the AI L1. Although, I can't say that I've heard or even heard of your current preamp, the Audio Expressions Symphonies. I don't know that the L1 will be better because I haven't heard your current preamp. It may not be an upgrade at all for all I know.

Regards,
John

John, I didn't know what the proceed PAV was. As to the Audio Expressions preamp the company used to be known as YS Audio. They have been selling these on audigon and ebay for $400. They are pretty well made. No ciruit boards all pt to pt. with silver core wire. They sound pretty good but it doesn't seem to work as well in my system as my CJ PV4 did. My system used to be dead quiet when idling now I have hiss and buzz that is caused by the preamp because when I discnnect the RCAs the hiss and buzz go away.I am not sure why it is doing this. I was considering the AI because I have heard that it matches well with SS amps.

When you disconnect which RCA's? I just went through a similar experience, the problem is a ground loop hum. I finally nailed it down. Originally I thought it was the preamp as well, but it turned out to be the incoming cable tv line. I put a MIT Iso-LinQ on the incoming cable tv line and the buzz has disapeared. Another thing you could try is 'floating the ground'. What this means is to use a cheater plug on different pieces of equipment, one at a time, until you find the offending unit. If the problem is a ground loop hum, chances are that changing the preamp will not make it go away.

Regards,
John

The PAV/PSDS is a very good audio video combo. It is no longer supported by Proceed. If you are going in that direction I would reccomend the AVP which is still getting software upgrades. If you are looking at two channel as much as I loved the PAV I would really look around and with whatever you have budget get a more up todate unit. Look at some of the used ML or CJ units.

John, the buzz and hiss go away when I disconnect the RCAs from the output of the preamp to the amp. I didn't have this problem with my Conrad Johnson PV4 and now I do. All of my power chords and cable lines run through a line conditioner.