Cheap receiver + amp vs Expensive receiver

Can I make a comment on "prosumer". I totally disagree. Consumer gear like HK gives you as many features as possible for the buck. Pro gear like QSC gives you a bulletproof design and reliability for the buck. Both have made huge compromises to get where they are. That's where high end audio fits in. An Anthem unit will have lots of feature and should have great reliability with the best technology they can reasonably put in the gear. The Anthem will have better quality parts, better remote controls, better DAC's and Video processing and so on...over the HK. An Anthem amp will keep up with the volume level of a QSC (to a certain extent) but with much lower distortion levels and way better imaging.

It looks like a 2nd hand Onkyo Integra pre/pro + 2nd hand 5 channels amp will be much better a brand new $2000 receiver!

Kschiu - with the Integra pre/pro and a 5 channel amp, how would you use the new amp for HT and the tube amp for 2 channel? Usually with this type of hybrid system, you use a HT bypass solution, but that is a lot harder with a tube amp?Swapping speaker cables can be a pain.

I agree that the pre/pro + amp is the way to go. Note that a receiver with pre-outs can also be used as a pre-pro - depending on the features you want and the price.

DTC,

If I don't want to use the tube amps for HT, then unfortunately swapping speaker cables is the only option for now unless I buy another pair of monitors just for HT. Wife wouldn't want to see 6 speakers in front of us.

Just get in where you fit in with the priorities you have now… and get as much flexibility as you can while you are at it.

As receivers move up the feeding chain normally one gets more power, more inputs & outputs, and more decoding capabilities…. Added zones also increase in an oh by the way effect. Great for some, though not usually the main interest.

I also feel as the investment goes up the preamp/proc quality improves. If it does or doesn’t, getting the analog inputs & pre/proc analog outputs are a must. Regardless.

Separates can be done for $2K and provide very good results. Check out the DHC 40.1 integra multi ch proc which just came online… and is being sold & shipped now for $1200 MSRP. It has all the current features including networking via USB… I think ehternet would be better but… that’ll work.

There’s lot of amps for a grand or less which ain’t bad too.

The optimum approach always is going to be having two rigs. The constant pursuit is going to be for one all encompassing system which sounds great instead of having to do two systems.

The price tag for either always depends on expectations/desires and budget…. If patience is in force, one need not look at an initial purchase as the final outcome. Remember, there’s that Audiogon shuffle… Buy … try… sell… repeat.

Or more uncommonly around here… be OK with your planned purchase. Many aren’t just a short time after initial ownership, and why I say get as much flexibility (inputs & outputs) as possible. Later on sources can do all that decoding if the proc does not or can not.