I am looking to upgrade my preamp/processor and am looking for the best bang for the buck, not necessarily the least expensive, but the best sound and features for the $.
Likes and dislikes based on previously owned equipment (Features only not sound quality)
Onkyo - I liked the way Onkyo receivers (696, 777) were easy to setup, very easy to interface with, locked onto a digital signal very quickly and no audio dropouts. Love the remote.
Sony ES - (777ES) built heavy, locks onto a digital signal quickly and no audio dropouts, Very flexible audio setup, flexible bass management, flexible speaker position options, and a couple of their cinema settings were not bad. The remotes SUCKED!!! I have owned 2 different ES products and had to sell them both because I could not stand the interface with them.
Harman Kardon - (AVR325, 525) good sound quality. Ugly gaudey front panel more lights and junk on the front (fixed with electrical tape). Hate the remote, used the onkyo remote instead. Hate the delay in detecting the digital audio signal, hate missing the beginning of the THX trailer. Hate the audio drop outs. Complicated to setup but fine once you get there. I like the sound quality used as a preamp but cannot live with the dropouts and delays anymore.
Outlaw - Model950 best sound I have had in my system but had all of the same problems as the HK. I could not live with it, tried 2 units sent them both back. The remote was good in 1999 but there are much better designs out there today. I believe the delay and drop outs are due to the use of the crystal/cirrus processor. Used in the 950, HK's, Rotel?, Newcastle?
New processor choices:
Newcastle P-965 (I think) - The specs look great, the dac's look good. I wonder about the crystal/cirrus processor will it have the same problems as the HK's and 950. The remote looks good, and the features look great.
Integra DTR-9.4 - Looks great, the specs seem strong, a chad remote. DAC's same as used in Proceed. Higher priced than others.
Adcom - 860 & 880 dont know anything about these except the 860 is cheaper than the Necastle and the 880 is a little more than the Integra.
NAD - T163 dont know anything about this either.
B&K - Ref50 just lowered the price. Older than the others in the list. Heard some bad things about noise floor, but I dont know.
What would be your choice and why.
Thanks
Likes and dislikes based on previously owned equipment (Features only not sound quality)
Onkyo - I liked the way Onkyo receivers (696, 777) were easy to setup, very easy to interface with, locked onto a digital signal very quickly and no audio dropouts. Love the remote.
Sony ES - (777ES) built heavy, locks onto a digital signal quickly and no audio dropouts, Very flexible audio setup, flexible bass management, flexible speaker position options, and a couple of their cinema settings were not bad. The remotes SUCKED!!! I have owned 2 different ES products and had to sell them both because I could not stand the interface with them.
Harman Kardon - (AVR325, 525) good sound quality. Ugly gaudey front panel more lights and junk on the front (fixed with electrical tape). Hate the remote, used the onkyo remote instead. Hate the delay in detecting the digital audio signal, hate missing the beginning of the THX trailer. Hate the audio drop outs. Complicated to setup but fine once you get there. I like the sound quality used as a preamp but cannot live with the dropouts and delays anymore.
Outlaw - Model950 best sound I have had in my system but had all of the same problems as the HK. I could not live with it, tried 2 units sent them both back. The remote was good in 1999 but there are much better designs out there today. I believe the delay and drop outs are due to the use of the crystal/cirrus processor. Used in the 950, HK's, Rotel?, Newcastle?
New processor choices:
Newcastle P-965 (I think) - The specs look great, the dac's look good. I wonder about the crystal/cirrus processor will it have the same problems as the HK's and 950. The remote looks good, and the features look great.
Integra DTR-9.4 - Looks great, the specs seem strong, a chad remote. DAC's same as used in Proceed. Higher priced than others.
Adcom - 860 & 880 dont know anything about these except the 860 is cheaper than the Necastle and the 880 is a little more than the Integra.
NAD - T163 dont know anything about this either.
B&K - Ref50 just lowered the price. Older than the others in the list. Heard some bad things about noise floor, but I dont know.
What would be your choice and why.
Thanks