Where is the $1000 7.2 channel Pre-Pro? You know it can be done.

[Stanny1]

Just take a mid-priced AVR, strip out the weak amps, maybe take out the useless chip AM/FM tuner and streamer, and you got it. But no one wants to do it. Sound United could easily make one. For those of us with external tuners, streamers and DACs, this is a no-brainer. That's all I need to replace my old Outlaw 975 (1080p) and use my Outlaw 5000 amp. I only use 5 channels. Why invest $1500 to $4000 on a Pre-Pro that will be obsolete in a short time?

 

[dolynick]

Good question.

Emotiva is the only one that got close, but it's modestly priced processor didn't get very good reviews.

I picked up my Anthem MRX-540 8K mainly because it would function as a ~2k (CAD) AVP with 5 channel output with bass management and room connection. There were a couple cheaper ~1500 (CAD) options but a little more bought me solid pre-spec performance and some other nice features. The AVR makers seem to love to leave out the output/passthrough sections on their more budget receivers and push you up into the higher price ranges too. It is a little frustrating.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

$1K AVP using a cheap AVR?

How about a $16K AVP clone of a cheap Denon 2000-series AVR?

Companies want to make themselves a lot of money, not save consumers a lot of money.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Instead of asking why companies aren’t trying to save us a lot of money, ask ourselves why don’t we buy a $1K AVR and save money.

 

[Kingnoob]

Why do you need a separate amp do you listen reference level every day ? I wouldn’t buy a Pre-Pro unless I could afford a dedicated theater and since I can’t I won’t.

 

[lovinthehd]

How many have all the external amps and want one?

 

[Eppie]

It all comes down to economies of scale. The market for AVRs is much larger than that for pre-pros so the smaller production runs lead to pre-pros costing more. That is why you will often see members recommend that people simply purchase an AVR with full pre-amp outputs and use that instead of a pre-pro because it is much cheaper and the specs are just as good. The internal amps are good enough for surround and ATMOS duty so all you need are amps for the front 3 channels. Of course there are exceptions, like large dedicated home theatres but that's a niche market.

 

[j_garcia]

Good question.

Emotiva is the only one that got close, but it's modestly priced processor didn't get very good reviews.

I picked up my Anthem MRX-540 8K mainly because it would function as a ~2k (CAD) AVP with 5 channel output with bass management and room connection. There were a couple cheaper ~1500 (CAD) options but a little more bought me solid pre-spec performance and some other nice features. The AVR makers seem to love to leave out the output/passthrough sections on their more budget receivers and push you up into the higher price ranges too. It is a little frustrating.

Outlaw did it as well, but they have since stopped making receivers and preamps. Why? Because it is hard to keep up with changes and make a profit on that type of gear, especially lower cost gear.

So it CAN be done, but companies don't do it because it can't be done at an adequate profit.

 

[Kingnoob]

Outlaw did it as well, but they have since stopped making receivers and preamps. Why? Because it is hard to keep up with changes and make a profit on that type of gear, especially lower cost gear.

So it CAN be done, but companies don't do it because it can't be done at an adequate profit.

Seems like they sell svs now, a reseller ? They only have one Outlaw sub a little one.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

How many have all the external amps and want one?

How many people already have all the external amps and want an AVP?

I would say most people. Unless they feel like selling all their amps and go to just an AVR.

 

[jinjuku]

Sounds like a better mousetrap opportunity for the O.P.

 

[lovinthehd]

How many people already have all the external amps and want an AVP?

I would say most people. Unless they feel like selling all their amps and go to just an AVR.

LOL okay, how many people already have the external amps/want an avp vs those who do not already have a stack o'amps?

 

[dlaloum]

There are a number of excellent AVR's with full pre outs in that price bracket - were they to make a dedicated AVP, it would cost more... and it's nice to have the option of onboard amps...

I used my Integra DRX3.4 in such a hybrid mode - ran my mains through my power amps and the surrounds and heights through the AVR...

You can look at the Onkyo/Integra family, or the D&M range both have contenders within that price bracket.

The benefits of mass production result in such AVR's being more economical than equivalent AVP's (even with the AVP having fewer channels!).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

LOL okay, how many people already have the external amps/want an avp vs those who do not already have a stack o'amps?

If people don’t already have a bunch of amps, I think they will be more likely to buy an AVR because it’s a lot simpler and costs a lot less and still sound great.

 

[PENG]

Good question.

Emotiva is the only one that got close, but it's modestly priced processor didn't get very good reviews.

I picked up my Anthem MRX-540 8K mainly because it would function as a ~2k (CAD) AVP with 5 channel output with bass management and room connection. There were a couple cheaper ~1500 (CAD) options but a little more bought me solid pre-spec performance and some other nice features. The AVR makers seem to love to leave out the output/passthrough sections on their more budget receivers and push you up into the higher price ranges too. It is a little frustrating.

That Anthem AVR would might been a winner (for me anyway) if it has two discrete subout but they only offer that feature on the 1140.

 

[PENG]

If people don’t already have a bunch of amps, I think they will be more likely to buy an AVR because it’s a lot simpler and costs a lot less and still sound great.

I do believe there is a demand for the old style (in terms of channel count) 5.1 and 7.1 AVRs (with 2 discrete sub outs minimum) that are basically today's 11.1 through 15.1 but just with fewer channels. As it is now, many are forced to settle for the available 5.1 and 7.1 that typically come missing a few highly desirable features and would perform poorly on test benches. The Cinema 70 is the only one that almost fit the bill but it needs to add one more discrete sub out, if that increases the list price by $50, it might still satisfy many potential customers, or remove all power amps and make it an AV70 with two discrete subouts and add paid upgradable to DL full licenses.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I do believe there is a demand for the old style (in terms of channel count) 5.1 and 7.1 AVRs (with 2 discrete sub outs minimum) that are basically today's 11.1 through 15.1 but just with fewer channels. As it is now, many are forced to settle for the available 5.1 and 7.1 that typically come missing a few highly desirable features and would perform poorly on test benches. The Cinema 70 is the only one that almost fit the bill but it needs to add one more discrete sub out, if that increases the list price by $50, it might still satisfy many potential customers, or remove all power amps and make it an AV70 with two discrete subouts and add paid upgradable to DL full licenses.

Most people I know, including other pharmacists I work with, don’t even want to spend more than $1K on an AVR.

And they don’t even want to spend more than $2K for speakers and subs, which probably means no more than 5.1.2 ATMOS.

For you, me, and many other Audioholics, $3K total budget is “nothing”. But to most people out there, that’s a lot.

So I think “most people” would be happy with just a 5.1.2 AVR plus some bookshelf and a single sub.

I consider most of my clients on par with members of Audioholics since most of them would spend like $10K MSRP total budget, not $3K. So most of my clients want something like the Denon X3800 and Yamaha RX-A4A and up.