Will a Proceed AMP handle LPCM input?

The same observation can be made about Dolby Digital. Dolby Digital on DVDs is typically 384 Kbps. However, the core DD on Blu Ray is 640 Kbps, the maximum for the format. I can hear the difference. Dolby True HD is noticeably better than 384Kbps, but less so when compared to 640 Kbps.

Thanks dtc! Yeah so the pondering becomes using the core track audio on the older proceed gear vs something newer that will at least be the proceeds equal for 2 channel sound. I hope that makes sense. And all the threads I've read says that the old proceed gear will still hold its own in this respect. The only other alternative that I can see is something like an Anthem AVM 40 - but I have not read up enough on that unit yet to get my gut feeling for it. But the price and features and sound quality seem to fit what I'm after.

Tim,

I am using the PAV/PDSD for 2.1, because location in the living room makes 5.1 impractical.

To retain Proceed quality sound in a modern fully functional processor, I think you need to step up to a Classe SP-800 or Bryston SP-3. I got a great deal on a Cary Cinema 11a, and the Cary sound had received a rave from Michael Fremer. But the Cary digital is buggy. I use the unit mostly as an analog switch with its inputs set to bypass. Only a Sony XA-5400ES connects via HDMI, and that comes with clicks and pop when a disc is started or a track selected. An Oppo 105 and Parasound JC-3 connect to the Cary via analog. The Cary connects to Proceed HPA 2 and 3 amps via XLR.

db

db,

The Classe and Bryston would be fantastic of course, but out of my price range right now, sadly.

So - resetting my expectations then, I'm either looking at staying with my current rig or move to something like say an AVP2 or SSP600 and add a HDMI switch which sends the audio out to the PrePro. This way I get the DD/DTS core tracks for BluRay audio and otherwise my system is tops for audio. The only thing I'd be missing is the DD HD/DTS-MA. This seems very reasonable to me.

My current TV is a 1080i 42" Sony which is now 8 years old. What that dies there is no telling which way I'd go - 3D, 4K. So having the video switching external to the audio would be a benefit as I could change out the HDMI switch cheaper than the SSP.

Clearly, I have no problem with non-current equipment as long as it sounds and performs outstandingly.

Funny thing about HDMI issues - I have none with my setup: Rotel RSP-1069, PS/3, comcast box, apple tv and marantz dvd to Sony TV. The more I have been reading about issues with ssp's, I realize just how lucky I have been with zero problems.

db - where do you live? AZ by chance? There is a "db" I'm familiar with who lives there...

Tim,

We live in Montecito, a small town adjacent to Santa Barbara, CA.

When I was planning to replace the PAV/PDSD in my main setup, HDMI was most in my thinking. Now I could do without it entirely. The analog of an Oppo 105 into a vintage device that acts as a switch and passes through sound cleanly is all I need. If it weren't for the phono stage, I might go directly from the Oppo to the Proceed HPA 2 & 3 monsters, because the 105 has digital inputs, including HDMI, and is doing all the processing. The Cary does convert RCA to XLR, which for me is a plus because the amps sit between the speakers, distant from the sources.

db