AV Pre/Processor vs 2 Channel Pre-Amp - Sound Quality

Oops I was mixing up the Parasound with the Lyngdorf. It looks like Parasound doesn’t have an HDMI AV solution. 

Thats good to know about the Classe sound character!

They are super hard to locate, especially used.

Maybe I will just have to wait.

@craigert

Sorry I did not realize that the Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 & 3400 stereo integrated amps come equipped with HDMI 4k switchings. Then this will be your perfect solution as the Lyngdorf has superior Room Perfect calibration. You can get rid of your Pioneer receiver and just get either the TDAI 2170 or 3400 since they will switch video as well as audio.

I personally have never heard these TDAI 2170/3400 integrateds but they received glowing reviews from different hifi reviewers from different hifi magazines.

The only Lyngdorf piece that I’ve ever heard was their MP-50 AV surround processor when I demoed it recently and have ordered one for my dedicated HT room to replace my somewhat obsolete Classe SSP 800 AV processor. I was impressed with the Lyngdorf MP-50 performance for surround movies (HT) with the Room Perfect calibration. It is a clear step up from the SSP 800 with its manual PEQ. The Lyngdorf MP-50 takes immersive surround sound from your favorite blockbuster movies to a whole new level with its Room Perfect engaged and when properly calibrated. Not to mention that the MP-50 supports Dolby Atmos & DTS-X which the SSP 800 lacks supports of.
These new surround formats brings a whole new different immersive surround sound experiences for movies.

I’m still waiting for my new MP-50 to arrive and can’t wait for it. That’s the only thing I swapped out in my dedicated HT room and the rest of the equipments remain the same.

So it appears that the hdmi module is an option on the 2170 and is not on all models. 

Also, in reviewing the 2170, I found an even lower cost option that appears to have very good reviews with the same options, the ARCAM SR250!