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.