The "Great Ones" are coming down in Price

I think old processors are the bargins of the high end world. They never hold there value regardless of quality. If I was just starting out I would get a high end processor and use it as a pre amp. The equvalant stand alone pre amp is usualy much more and this way you get a processor on top of it.

I have been eyeing the ssp 50 for some time. I dont have first hand experience with this but I dont think either are upgradeble but at these prices and quality who cares. I have heard the Classe is a lot more analog sounding then the lexicon but I have heard Lexicon processors and they have their own qualities.

Listen,

I haven't heard the Classe processor, I do have great respect for their amps. Do you have a B&K dealer near you? I'm not kidding, I've heard the latest Lexicon & recent Proceed processors, in my opinion the B&K is as good & much less bright than either of them.
I have a B&K 3090 on Audiogon right now for $175.00 under Orion book value. I haven't had 1 offer. I'm finding out that in video, unlike audio, you take a VERY BIG hit when a model is superseded. My 3090 is very good, it's just that everyone seems to want the current REF30 - including me..
A lot of audiophiles have "Classic" equipment thats discontinued but still highly sought after, I guess there isn't any video gear like this.
I'm seriously considering keeping my 3090 until the REF30 is replaced, then I'll buy the new model right away.
The B&K does sound very good to me in the 2 channel "direct" mode, also.
Video seems to be married to the digital side of the processor, it keeps getting better & faster.

Good Luck!

Daniel

You might also consider a Sunfire Theater Grand, I have seen them as low as 2500 new (though it was a drop ship place), and they have had a policy of allowing their customers to upgrade to newer models for much less than buying a new unit. I hear rumors that the Theater Grand III should be out fairly soon, although I havn't heard what the new features will be.