Hi All!
I currently own a Denon 1600H running a 5.1.2 layout.
As you can tell, I’m looking into a cost effective solution to go with powered speakers while retaining the processing & features of the AVR.
$140 in converters vs $1000 processor.
I’m currently A/B ‘ing some JBL LSR 308’s vs my current speakers(Sony Core Towers) with Audyssey. Sound just “opens” with the JBL’s in comparison.
Don’t understand why there’s not a single under $1000 processor. But there’s plently of AVR under that price range & way lower.
Isn’t just a matter of replacing the Amp section with RCA/XLR outs?
I'm not sure what you are trying to achieve here. Those Sony speakers seems to be cheap and nasty speakers. Good speakers are not something Sony are known for.
Those JBL active near field monitors, are for small recording studios and production facilities. They are designed to be powered directly from a mixing desk and sit right in front of the engineer. They are not domestic speakers or for inclusion in an AV system primarily.
Active speakers are just starting to make inroads into the domestic market. The market is not yet geared that way, but hopefully that will come.
In theory an AVP should be cheaper than an AVR, and hopefully down the road will be. At this time the AVPs are based on the higher end AVRs. They ought to be cheaper, but because of economies of scale are not. However I note the gap is changing and there is now close parity between the AVP and the higher end AVRs, in fact I think some are now cheaper.
As far as active speakers, they are now increasing offerings, and good ones, but currently at the top end of the market.
At the current time we have the absurd situation of receivers with as many as nine power amps, powered from way undersized power supplies, and attendant reliability problems. The current situation is absurd from an engineering stand point.
I think the market will move to AVPs and active speakers, with the speakers connected to the AVPs via Cat6 or higher. We are some years away from that.
I personally have never used a receiver, only AVPs. I do use mainly active speakers in my AV room of my design , but the amps are external. So I understand your desire for active speakers, but the market is only there at the high end of the market at present.
I do have one last word of advice for you. Two good speakers is far preferable to a greater number of poor ones. So the best way to build a system is to start with two really good speakers and add speakers as funds permit.