Krell Evolution 707 ,Meridian 861v8 , Macintosh mx 151
I just want to upgrade my sound processor to touch new heights of detailing currently i am using Marantaz 8002 if some body share any experience or knolwedge in which sound processor i do my investment which will benefit me for the long run as now a days technology is changing every year like 4k is in the market now hdmi 2 is coming plus Dolby Atmost & Auro 3d etc what to do pls advise which above sound processor is a good option for the movie watching
All i want best sound with deep details of effect
My Current setup is Fronts Focal Stella Utopia Center Viva Utopia Surround Electra 1000 Be and Rear Surround is Diablo Utopia Sub I am using JBL EON 500 Pro audio
Very nice setup with the Focal speakers - extremely dynamic, detailed, and always fun to listen to. The "best" sound on any system depends on what you are looking for, and
system matching, so I would suggest:
***if at all possible, borrow one from a dealer to listen to before making a decision (there are Theta and Datasat dealers here - VGI for Theta and Datasat, Cineramax/Peter for Datasat, etc., ask if they could lend you one for auditioning if you are serious about buying)
***only upgrade to companies that have announced plan for future upgrades to Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro
Focal has a brighter sound so even though I am a huge fan of Krell, I would recommend instead a processor with a
full bodied sound, not lean or bright, with smooth high end. The two top choices in my opinion would be
Theta, or
Datasat. Theta sound I know for sure, and Datasat is based on impressions I've read and the fact that it's designed by an ex Theta engineer. The warm sounding
Meridian (too warm for my personal taste but might be a good match for Focal) would also be on the list if it does include Atmos. Datasat and Theta have 16 channels and up and to me this is more, much more, than enough for my idea of an ideal home system at 7.1.4 (quality of sound of front 3 channels more critical than number of channels beyond 7.1.4 to me). All 3 processors would very likely bring your system to top-notch level - but bottom line is you have to listen with your ears, hence an audition is critical.
Cost wise, Theta would probably be the cheapest of the 3, possibly by large margin, as its street price is CONSIDERABLY less than list price you see (check with dealer for street price). Also, if you are using the system for music and are looking for absolute best, no-compromise movie AND music sound, then the choice narrows down to one, Theta Casablanca with a stand-alone DAC, the Theta Gen VIII. All other systems use a "card" system, and based on my experience, a card system will not sound as good as a stand alone DAC.
BTW, my impression of the tremendous Focal Grand Utopia
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/86-ul...hy-test-our-ultra-systems-6.html#post24781598 .
Focal: One word to describe the Grand Utopia - overwhelmingly dynamic. Ok so it's 2 words
but you get the picture; I was blown away. One of the most impressive demo's I've been to and this big bad boy put my Thiel to shame in the low end. Reserved for large sized room only as the bass could be too much in smaller rooms. The high frequency is similar to Wilson, highly detailed but a bit bright. This means how this speaker sounds, not surprisingly, is highly dependent on the quality of material being played and the amplification (tube vs. solid state, etc.). With non-audiophile material, could be a little harsh.