Best sub4k amplification and processing?


I am interested in going multichannel from a very musical and high end 2 channel system. I work in the business and just want some opinions on what is the best in this price catagory from you guys-especially those of you who have compared any of these following pieces that I have narrowed it down to. Any additional comments/recommedations are welcome only if you have done comparisons with these products in similar circumstances, please.

So, here is the list that I have compiled based on numerous factors, but mainly sound quality was used to compile this list:
1. B&K AVR507/AVR507s2 Reciever
2. NAD T762 Reciever for a cheaper solution with alomost the sound quality of the b$k-I am a dealer for both...I have compared these two.
3. The NAD seperates...I have not heard these pieces that retail for $500 more that the B&K, but have to wonder just how they would compare based on the stellar performance of the T762 reciever.
4. The ARCAM reciever-who has compared it to above? I am not an arcam dealer, so this really is not on my list but I have heard good things.
5. Any other opinions welcome with these exceptions-I am a dealer or have been for all of these manufactures and while they all make very good recievers and in some price catagories the best available this is not my cryteria-They are as follows: Any recievers from Denon, Yamaha, Pio Elite, Onkyo or anything Japanese other that Rotel.
Thanks to all for your input-let the games begin...
scottshannon
Within NAD, is there a reason why you left out T773 receiver and the combo T163 & T973? I think they are better than the T762.
You can also get a used combo of Anthem AVM-30 and MCA-50 for $2,500 and $1,300, respectively. But then you 'll have to invest in cables.
I've owned both Bel Canto and B&K and wouldn't hesitate to purchase any product from either company. Nad had quality control problems from what I've read - Arcam has a good rep.

As far as receivers, the Denon models with dacs in dual-differential configuration for the front L & R such as AVR-5803, AVR-3805 should do the trick in 2 channel mode and also for processing surround sound. I was using the Denon AVR-3803 for surround sound processing only and was very happy with the results.

Try www.ecoustics.com for reviews from different publications on a wide variety of different products in almost all audio/video categories.

Best of Luck
The Denon AVR-3805 has Denon-Link, which will pass DVD-A, but has not
been approved for SACD. It has component video switching capabilities, but
not HDMI. This is why decsions have to made with regard to the importance
of these features. Once a desired feature-set is identified, the choice of
receiver could narrow down substantially.

How important is High Rez Digital, SACD & DVD-A, to you?

What kind of front end are you using?

Do you want to use the DAC's in your front end, or are you looking for
a receiver to do your DA conversion?

If you're looking for a receiver to do DA Conversion, if you're interested in
High Rez digital, and if you have a Universal Player as your front end, does
your player have Firewire connectivity? HDMI? If it has Firewire connectivity,
or if you're interested in moving to a front end with Firewire connectivity,
you'll need a receiver (or pre-pro) with Firewire Connectivity.

At the present time, there are only a few receivers with this feature.

So, identifying a feature set is extremely important.
Thank you guys for all of the responces and now I will narrow it down and correct some of my mistakes as the nad numbers always mess me up. The T762 reciever at $1800 retail and the seperates at $3500 or the Signature series seps from NAD(used as they are no longer available and also somewhat aniquated) are the only nads on my short list. The new S2 B&K reciever would be the choice from B&K as the new upgrades are very nice-3 notch filters for the bass, and video transcoding(not upconversion as so many other companies call it). I could care less about dvi/hdmi. I am using a Consance cd2.2 tube output cd player, A Sony dvpns7700 dvd player which will get replaced by a universal most likely a pio elite 47ai, Talon khorus fronts with a martin logan depth sub. The Denon recievers are great sounding and I was up until a few months ago a dealer. So I am very familiar with their performance. I also being in the business have seen a competitor company that took a snap shot of "some" japanese recievers under an ociliscope that measured their actual output power with ALL CHANNELS DRIVEN at .09 thd and the results were jaw dropping. I will not name the companies here for this discussion as I am not into defaming product, especially when I am a dealer for two of the companies. Needless to say these are the companies NOT on my shortlist. Hope this helps and does not cause needless arguements...Firewire is not an issue either as I am from the two channel world philosophy of putting the $$$in the source. Most of them have proven not user friendly thus far anyway, with most companies not choosing to use it as its potentail...I am very interested in Anthem v/s B&K v/s Sunfire and the Bel canto stuff I just wrote off as being out of my price range, but the evo amp has always interested me...THANKS TO ALL...Scott
If you don't care about Firewire and HDMI, I would seriously think about
buying separates used. As someone else mentioned, you could get an
Anthem AVM 20, used, for around $2,000. I don't see a receiver as the way
to get great two-channel sound. I would go with an Anthem AVM20, a two-
channel amp for the front L & R, and a three channel amp for the other three
channels. You can get a used Anthem MCA-30 (three channel amp) for less
than $1,000. Then, go with a P-2 for the front left and right.