2. home-theater
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Help to upgrade my surround processor

Here's the short version. I have a TV with composite and S-video inputs only. I also have an old (at least 15 years) Onkyo ED-301 Dolby Digital SP. I only watch a movie a week. My sources are DVD and Laser. I can't change my TV as yet, so the S-Video is OK. But I imagine the chip in my unit (motorola 24 bit dsp 56009) is basically a dinosaur. How can I get some better sound and upgrade? I imagine I just can't upgrade my chip. Sound is my primary consideration. My problem is that I hate to buy an Anthem AVM 20 which is a 8-9 year old unit and the newer Anthems are too pricey. Does the v2 2.21 upgrade sound good enough compared to today's chips? Otherwise Rotel, Sherwood, Outlaw or maybe a Cary 6? Thanks in advance for any help.
drjjpdc
drjjpdc OP
80 posts
 
Actually I am one of those heretics who believe you can run music and surround if you know how to "separate" (get it?) them. Amps are Quickie V4's and a Sonogy Black Knight powering my Sforzando JL1's (satellites and bass units respectively with a modded Marschand Xover). The center and surrounds go through the Onkyo and a Carver 5 channel amp. I never turn on the Onkyo/Carver combo unless I am in for a surround session. I do have a TT, CD Player, Laser and DVD for sources. My TV is a 10 yr old Mitsubishi 31 inch model.

I basically want a more up to date model for DD and DTS and 24/96 sound (PCM) with at least S video. I do appreciate component outputs and the improvement they provide, but my TV does not comply.
nguyen357
51 posts
 
If your primary goal is movie, then AVP-S is as good or better than most Processors out there within that price. When you're music first movies second, then AVP2 makes perfect sense.Proceed is no longer doing upgrades from AVP to AVP2, you can buy used AVP2 out there for reasonable price.Hope this will help you achieved your goal.
ckorody
643 posts
 
Doc -

good fun and nice solution - all I'm suggesting is that there is nothing to invest in - it's all a lateral move - I had a Mits 35 CRT - lovely blacks to be sure - use the degauss function based on your compass orientation - makes a difference -

BUT once you see 1080 you won't care anymore - and you'll want to upgrade the rest of the system too

you can buy HDMI sources for a few hundred bux each

keep your speakers and your TT. add an Oppo - let it decode everything and run analog out - you don't need a new processor to do that

why screw around with a dead end???
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