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 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.  :-)
I have only owned Meridian. Every time I go and listen to anything else I am glad to get back home and listen to my rig.
As far as service and support I have always been impressed.
  

I own a Foundation and find that it provides true high end sound quality used with the Chorus 5200 amp. You won't be disappointed. The Classe units are good too.