I am not a fan of 'cram everything under one roof' for an AV receiver.
I plan on connecting my video directly into my HDTV ...I see no need to have a receiver video switch / HDMI switching......it does not make sense and it adds $$$ to the unit. I am not bothered if my cables are not that simplified in that they are all connectd to my AV receiver......I seek functionality NOT
cable connection convenience at the back of my equipment. I want a good bang for my buck and I have a plan to achieve that.
I am looking at an Anthem unit which caters to: pre-amp, basic video switching which I will not use, a tuner, and a sound processor. I will purchase a dedicated power amplifier. To me that is a better way to go than trying to relay on one receiver to do everything......comprimise I do not like. Let the amp ' do its thing spaciously and cool under its own roof '.
I will have video connections go directly into my HDTV since my TV accepts several inputs and connections. Direct connection, what a beautiful thing! I will then of course have to run my audio cables (TOSLINK) from DVD player, VRC, etc. directly into my Anthem unit for sound processing. Let the Anthem unit do its main job which is to be a 'sound signal traffic cop'..process my Dolby Digital !
I am not sure if I need XLR conections to my amp. My understanding is that they minimize noise if your run is greater than ~ 8 feet (?).
I will also purchase a separate unit for house audio speaker management. This unit will amplify each zone (pair of speakers). I did not run
Cat 5e along with the speaker / volume control wires, so I will give-up the touch pad control and be happy with a volume control. The unit will handle both amplification and impedance matching. What a beautiful thing!
Is Speaker Craft a good brand for house audio management? Niles? Russound?
I am not sure who gives the best bang for the buck.
I will want to match speakers with my amp. How can I best match speakers with my amp in terms of frequency response / roll-off, etc.?
Thanks.
Cousin Vinny
Boston, MASS