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Affordable Processor with Fabulous 2 Channel ?

Gang,

I'm using my Mytek Brooklyn DAC as a pre for music and TV. It is fabulous sounding but I really would like to have 5.1 channel surround, and a single remote! 

Is there an affordable processor (used OK) that has at least as good 2 channel performance? Emotiva is right out. I owned one, and it sounded thin as paper. I note that there are a lot of Krell processors for sale at reasonable prices. 

Thoughts?

Erik
erik_squires
luxmancl38
580 posts
 
I still use a Krell Showcase processor. Has a 7.1 analog input for surround and a balanced input for CD's. Built like a tank. Never had a problem. They usually sell in the $600 range. Original price $4000.
erik_squires OP
15,877 posts
 
lux - 

Yeah, I'm very attracted to the Krells in the used market for just that reason. 
willland's avatar
willland
846 posts
 

Erik,

If under $2000.00, I really would look for an Anthem Statement D2v or AVM50v2.  They are rock solid reliable and ARC is top shelf.


Bill

erik_squires OP
15,877 posts
 
Thanks @willland !

I haven't thought of Anthem since they got sold and closed down Sonic Frontiers. I will check them out! 

Erik
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

The Krell Showcase / HTS range was amazing.  However, they are getting very old and a lot of these units are starting to fail in different areas (digital board, analog channels, etc.).  If you want to take a chance on these, go for it.  But expect a risk.  Also, the Krell units standard behavior for COAX digital input is to down-convert everything to 44.1/48khz sampling rate.

I remember reading that the Classe SSP-800 will convert everything to 96khz, because they believe that is the optimal sampling to feed the specific DAC chips.  The Classe is going to be an excellent item, but expensive again.  Same price range as the Krell S1200 (which is the same generation.

I think I have seen Anthem D2 in the $2k range.  That would probably be your best bet, but I don't know how it behaves with digital coax.

Digital COAX will always give you better 2-channel PCM sound than anything over HDMI.  COAX is better for even old school Dolby Digital / DTS.  The only thing that HDMI audio is good for is the hi-res bluray formats (DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD).

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