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AV Processor Question

I'm getting the Emotive XPR-5 power amp and I'm looking for the device connectivity.

AV Receivers all seem to come with amplification and I don't need more amplification. I certainly don't want to pay for it if I've already got it.

So I started looking at AV Processors and found they cost more than with the amplification! Presumably they're marketed more to the high end user - but what's a poor boy to do?

What's the best value here? The amp blew my budget so I'm looking for the most for the least.

Thanks - rev
revnice
saeyedoc
103 posts
 
I too have a 5 channel Parasound amp that I was running with a BK ref20 until recently. After seeing how much dedicated pre/pros are, I ended up getting an Anthem MRX300 to use as a pre/pro. It's been working great.
I'd buy a receiver based on the features you want. You can always use some of the amp channels for extra surrounds or a second zone.
I figure at $1k, it's so much less expensive than the pre/pros that I can just upgrade it in a few years if there are significant changes in technology.
yakbob
478 posts
 
Internetmin's answer was perfect. I'd add that if you're willing to do without audio over HDMI and room correction, a used Emotiva MMC-1 can be had for about $275-300 these days. I used one for several years without complaint. They were certainly more reliable than the UMC-1...although with fewer features.

The MMC-1 switches video over HDMI, but audio will need to run via coax, toslink, or analog RCA into the MMC-1.

Best of luck.
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dbphd
1,630 posts
 
I've wondered about separate pre/pro v AVR pricing. Is the higher priced pre/pro really superior to a manufacturer's AVR or is the AVR market just more competitive?

db
saeyedoc
103 posts
 
I think it's a bit of both. The AVRs, especially mainstream brands like Denon and Onkyo have economy of scale on their side. Dedicated pre/pros may use better quality parts, have more features and/or configuration flexibility, but it's subject to the law of diminishing returns.
There's a big gap in price between a good $1000-2000 AVR and a $6k+ pre/pro. Marantz has a reasonably priced pre/pro, but it doesn't even have the most up to date version of Audyssey.
bacardi's avatar
bacardi
663 posts
 
I would say ditch the power amp and pre, and get a multi-channel integrated tube. Best the av receivers out there and some pre/power combo's.
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