The "Great Ones" are coming down in Price

I think old processors are the bargins of the high end world. They never hold there value regardless of quality. If I was just starting out I would get a high end processor and use it as a pre amp. The equvalant stand alone pre amp is usualy much more and this way you get a processor on top of it.

I have been eyeing the ssp 50 for some time. I dont have first hand experience with this but I dont think either are upgradeble but at these prices and quality who cares. I have heard the Classe is a lot more analog sounding then the lexicon but I have heard Lexicon processors and they have their own qualities.

Another thing to take into consideration is that the component, regardless of technology, is only as good as its parts. I have heard Dolby Prologic processors that sound better then some AC 3 processors.

I would bet that a three year old $2500 used processor that retailed for $5500 would sound better then a brand new $2500 processor with all the current technology.