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Best processor/switcher/scaler for new ht system ?

I am building a HT from my sacd multi channel system. So far I have a Sony sacd and a sony p9000 es multi channel preamp, it has no processor. I am putting the 5.1 analog outputs from the sacd player and the 5.1 outs from a oppo player through it. Then using the bypass on my 5.5 vtl preamp.These are balanced to front left and right, and into vtl mb450 mono blocks ,then to B&W 802ds.For the center I am going to another vtl mb450 but with rca to the center channel ,to a B&W HTM1d.The rears I am using a unbalanced stereo conrad johnson mv75a.In addition to the sacd and oppo, my sources are a vpi scout, macintosh mr78 tuner ,playsation2,Xbox360 and hd cable box. I have put component cables from my optoma Hd70 to a radio shack hd componet switcher and am not happy with pq on the xbox or hdcable and its only two channel,I have run an hdmi from the projector as well, direct to the oppo player and it work great but no imputs to access the processor. The hd70 only has one hdmi imput.
So need something for the HD cable and games {plan on getting a playstation 3 when they become available}, right now I have them running 2 channel going via the vtl5.5.
I am not concered with two channel because I have the (5.5) The piece doesn't need to have tuner(mr78) or phono (vtl phono preamp ). I would like it to upscale,but the hd70 only outputs 720p or1080i.It doesn't need a second seperate zone. I would prefer to buy the best but not waste money on things I already covered. Important to have great scaling,switching and surround sound. Thanks for any help.
chayes
chayes OP
12 posts
 
Thanks Mike,
That is a great idea to break it up,but I think Crystalio11 though looks awesume, might be a little over kill considering my hd70 wont output 1080p and the price should come down buy the time I upgrade the projector.
Whats the best scaler that outputs 720p? But I still need a ssp.
Thanks Craig
mikelavigne
2,246 posts
 
Craig, i would strongly recommend going to www.avsforum.com, going to the video processor forum, and then searching for that. AudioGon is great for audio.....but AVS is where all the info is on video.

i am not current on your specific question; but have recently been researching 1080p solutions. i just purchased Blue Ray and HD-DVD and am about to upgrade from a 720p DLP front projector to a 1080p front projector.

currently i own the Lexicon MC-12 processor; which will do HD component switching. i need a digital HDMI switcher which led me to AVS and the Crystalio II.

good luck.
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Craig,

Have you looked into the Anthem Statement D2??

Great sound and an excellent video processor as well.
pthai
32 posts
 
Without a budget, I will assume you are looking for the best of the best. In my opinion, the top four are and not in any order: Chord DSP 8000, Meridien 800, Theta Casablanca with extreme dacs, and Mark Levinson 40 or 51
owl's avatar
owl
139 posts
 
I second MikeLs assessment after having looked at the Anthem D2 and trying to make a call between all in one and separates. I just ordered the Crystalio2 after having tried the Lumagen HDQ and after having tried DVDO's and ordering and cancelling the DVDO VP50. Its 1080p capability makes the processor inside my Ruby seem like a toy and has flexibility and upgradability galore. I'd also like to add that the Crystalio has an absolutely amazing user interface that is far more intuitive and easier to set than the others. The feature set on the C2 is very rich as well. I also found that it's noise reduction was very welcome. Of all the audio and video components I've owned and/or tried this is the one that I can say has more lust factor. I did not want to send back the demo piece I tried and can't wait for the C2 to show up from Hong Kong.
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