Help needed to make processor decision.

Mike - perhaps you have already considered and rejected the Aragon Soundstage as a possibility, but if not, I would recommend it. I suggested this unit to a fella the other day who thought it too pricey, but there is one currently available here on AudiogoN at a very fair price (no, I have no connection to this party). I could be all wet behind the ears in my personal appreciation of this piece, and I would welcome any comments from the more experienced folks here to point out any shortcomings of the Soundstage. Aside from its rather utilitarian appearance, it offers all the features you are seeking, and provides (IMHO) excellent sound in both 2ch and HT mode. Just a thought...

Best regards,
Tom

Mike,

Just to show how stubborn I am! If I were in your place, I'd consider a fully balanced 2 channel pre-amp like an Adcom GFP750. It has a throughput to incorporate into a video processor when in multi-channel mode. If you only need 2 channels of balanced, you won't be buying the other 3, you can use a non-balanced processor for them.

I think the big-name processors are:
1. Overpriced.
2. A BIG rip-off when it comes to the promised
upgrades.
I've seen friends buy early generation Proceed & Lexicon processors. They were completely superseded by another model. They're like 2 year old computers.... You just about have to give them away..

Tburn,

You may be correct but, since I have limited opportunity to audition any of the units, I lean toward assuming that a pre/pro that has an incorporated tuner will have less advanced DACs and higher THD at the price point I am considering. I already have a very good Rotel tuner for those limited times that I tune into FM. I wish there was a web site that would compare DACs: Crystal vs Burr-Brown, etc.

Thanks for your input.

Mike

Tburn,

Sorry, I only responded to part of your post. I may be assuming incorrectly but, I think I am going to better myself by removing the Wadia 25 from my system which if I remember correctly is a 21 bit processor. It sounds great but, if I upgrade to any of the surround pre/pros I have listed which have 24 bit processing I will get excellent home theater as well as better processing for the CDs I play on my Wadia 20 transport and I am assuming I will get better sound from the CDs as a result. Am I all wet on this?

Mike

let me muddy the waters even further; check out the cinepro processor, no i haven' heard it, but it certainly contains everything you want in a processor and the president of cinepro, Eric Abraham is a great guy and very reacheable; you owe it to yourself to try the cinepro. At the Cedia show, Eric was going to let me be a beta tester against my Meridian 568, but i never got around to it. I do use the Cinepro 3k6se gold for amplification which by the way is terrific. Now, I have owned a Meridian processor since 1997 when i purchased the 565 and upgraded through J.S. Audio to the 568. they have been very helpful. Several caveats i have about the 568. Its a little pricey, but not by much, and Meridian the company has a bit of an attitude. very class conscious. The upgrade on the 568 is going to be priced around $2500 which i think is outrageous. But the sound is impeccable and if your goal is to have the best sounding processor, then go with the 568 and forget about the negatives.