When do things become so complicated as to be worthless? What features do you really need? 11.2? What movies or CDs really use that format? Few are available in 7.1 and ATMOS and 3D are complete scams as the corporate elites will make what you buy today obsolete tomorrow. The benefits are negligible and ultimately degrade the visual and audio experience.
I had a four channel system, Pioneer, Nakamichi, Teac, Thorens, Ortofon and custom built transmission line speakers that in total cost 1/3 of what this pre/pro alone costs. You would have to spend 50 times the cost of that total system just to approach the sound quality, albeit with video in this day and age. We are being taken for a financial ride, a fantasy that technology and gimmicks or so-called features will make our A/V experience better or are even essential to keep up with the latest, newest nonsense. Who are the fools? Audio and video equipment used to last a generation and now doesn't last a year either through planned obsolescence or terrible quality.
So what is needed? For me, obviously, a 7.1 system that provides 5.1 A/V (90% of what is available) in the main zone and 2 channel plus HDMI video/audio in the second zone. A really good performing system for analog or digital multi-channel, not just one or the other. Enough analogue connections for a good turntable and tape sources even though the industry wants to kill analogue. Room correction can be helpful but controls that are simple and don't throw sparks and smoke every time you turn the damn thing on is best for the blood pressure. (Admit it, you know what I mean.) Really bass and treble, throw in midrange if you want, were actually just fine. Equalizers back in the day were just frosting and looked hi tech. Simple, pleasing high performance with value. $200K systems? Who uses them? Who knows someone who has one? $50K much the same. Give us a $5K system that the Gods in Valhalla could hear and appreciate with a manual an intelligent child could follow and use. That will be the day.
