I'd stay away from a company like McCormack for digital stuff like a DVD player or even their HT processor. Small companies might be able to do some real R&D on an amp or 2ch pre, but not something as complex as a DVD player or processor that requires a bundle of chips and circut boards. That stuff is almost entirely outsourced so you are more likely paying for the name. I'd pick up the Arcam DV79 which is cheaper then the UDP-1, and has the new HDMI output. As for a pre/pro/amp combo that is entirely dependent upon your speakers so I won't comment there, but there are some multi-channel pre's that do quite well with music (EAD/SimAudio/Krell/Meridian/Classe) so I wouldn't rule them out.
7K for preamp,HT processor, source
May sell my present rig, CD/DVD/DVD-A player and processor and replace with preamp w/HT passthru, processor and source component. Would like to accomodate SACD/DVD-A if possible. Budget is around 7K for the trio. Music quality more important that HT. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Am also considering going the multichannel preamp route -- has anybody heard any of these? Could pair w/a universal player like the McCormack.
Am also considering going the multichannel preamp route -- has anybody heard any of these? Could pair w/a universal player like the McCormack.