The best sounding 5.1 AV preprocessor is...?

[fbonzo]

I'll add B&K to the list

How about a B&K Ref 50 S2 used around $600.--

I've not listened to a B&K for quite a while--have you compared this model to any of the others I've mentioned (or the Anthems)?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Meridian 561/562/565 (whatever) [$800]
Krell HTS 5.1 [$500]
Krell Showcase [$700]
Theta Casablanca (1) [$600]
Theta Casanova [$600]
Arcam AV8 [$900]
Arcam AV700 [$500]

I'll pick the Krell Showcase.

 

[zhimbo]

Yes, your brain will tell you that there is a difference even when the same component is presented twice in an A/B comparison and under blind conditions. That is the real problem. .

My favorite recent example of this (well, except conditions weren't blind) was this right here:

Link:Testing the Zoom H4, H4n, and Sony PCM-D50 internal mics

The web master accidently posted exactly the same digital file for the Zoom H4 and the Sony PCM-D50. The resulting discussion is quite hilarious. A sample comment, emphasis added by me:

I have also noticed this on loud parts during guitar sessions the Zoom H4n via heaphones sounds very agressive, thin, sharp (hissy) and is very uncomfortable to the ears - long term listening can probably damage your ears even at low volumes. On the other hand Sony has pro approach very like studio finish - frequency is very balanced across the full range. Zoom H4 is not even worth talking about; to describe this is that its lost in somewhere in space !! Now, I can see why Sony is expensive.

There was strong overall agreement that the Sony was the best, and the H4 the worst - even though people were judging identical files.

 

[mike c]

deleted a few posts.

walter duque: i don't know what you are talking about.

fbonzo: deleted the others, left some - that's that.

others: looks like fbonzo believes in this stuff ... move on.