Which Processor?


I am considering the Krell Foundation or the Marantz AV8802 which will be used with one of Krell's new ibas amps. My speakers are B&W 802's and a B&W center channel. There are two other small speakers to the rear but these will be powered by another amp and are not a concern. The question is: Is the Krell Foundation worth almost twice the cost of the Marantz. Any thoughts will be appreciated.
walnut
I just ordered Marantz  8802 processor which does the 2.0 4k has all the bells and whistles for half the price of the Krell






You have some great choices...
You have not considered Meridian.

Meridian G65 is a very Powerful and Analog sounding Surround Sound processor made !

You can go Active or Passive with the Meridian system
We offer the G65 for $4999.00
Combine it with the Lexicon ZX-7 Amplifier for Retail $8000.00
Now at $4500.00 when purchased with the Meridian.

Buy the HD621 at $1999.00
This unit separates the Audio and video signal leaving the G65 with no Video noise, making it the best sounding processor out there.
I agree with Smer319.  Meridian has, by far, the best sounding digital D/A's, DSP's and surround processors in the business.  Don't believe it ? How's this for a comparison - in the new Automobile magazine the editors of Automobile and Sound and Vision tested and auditioned the highest end integrated car audio systems offered by Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover, Cadillac, Acura, Volvo, Lincoln, Bentley, Infiniti, etc.  

The best sounding and measuring system, by a wide margin, was Meridian's system installation in a Range Rover.  They beat out Bose, Burmeister, Naim, Krell, Revel, Sony, B&W and many others.  Remember these were factory-installed multi-channel systems in $100K + cars.  Bob Stuart and his colleagues at Meridian are so far out in front of everyone else on multi-channel digital, and "apodizing" A/D and D/A filters that it is doubtful that anyone can catch them.  And this is coming from a die-hard analog guy.  

Finally, when Meridian's "Master Quality Authenticated" (MQA) becomes the hi-rez audio standard, you are only a firmware change away.  Everyone else will need a new processor to hear MQA to its best advantage.

The Krell Foundation will make the Marantz (and Denon) products sound soft, boring in comparison.  The level of detail, the snap, the weight of instruments, voice, dialogue, etc. is night and day better.  The Marantz/Denon gear is great stuff for the money, but the Foundation is HUGELY better in performance.  :-)