I am also looking for a new PrePro and have the same questions as you. Glad to see someone finally commenting on the sound of the Stage One- there are very very few comments/opinions on that unit on the forums that I read and I don't understand why, unless very few Stage Ones are being sold(?).
I am very interested in bass management for DVD-A and SACD sources. I have a sub/sat speaker system and need to separate out the low frequencies by the time they exit the PrePro. How well the various DVD-A and SACD DVD players do this is still a mystery to me. I've read the outboard Outlaw unit does a decent job.
Ideally, any DVD player, including DVD-A and SACD, should send encrypted digital bit streams to the PrePro for de-encrytpion and decoding, but copyright fears are holding this up. This would not only solve the bass management issue, but would simplify component inter-connections and address time alignment, etc. for multi-channel speaker systems. I read where DVD-A has reached an agreement on doing this, but have seen nothing on SACD. Whatever happens, one feature that I desire in my next PrePro is to be (potentially) upgradeable to do internal de-encrytpion and decoding of DVD-A and SACD digital sources.
For other than DVD-A and SACD sources, (DTS/DD 5.1, 2 channel, etc.) I plan to use digital inputs and use the PrePro's internal bass management. I do not use analog pass through and do all my listening in surround sound independent of source material.
Another aspect I am very intereted in is the PrePro's ability to synthesize 7.1 outputs from any input source (true 7.1 source material may not come about). I currently have a Lexicon DC-1, and with Logic 7, I am a true believer in a 7.1 channel speaker system. Going from a 5.1 to 7.1 set-up in my room made a big difference for me.
In the past, Lex's Logic 7 seemed to be the only real way to enjoy 7.1 channels. Now, with the advent of such as DPLII and THX Ultra II ASA, there are alternatives available. I would love to have a Lex MC-12, but don't want to invest that much in a PrePro.
Units of interest to me are the not yet released Lexicon baby MC-12, the Aragon Stage One, and the Anthem AVM20 with the new software that provides DPLII and THX Ultra II. A possible candidate is the TAG McLaren AVR32-192 although it does not have component video switching.
I ruled out the Krell Showcase because it does not have THX Ultra II's ASA (manual says it simply feeds a duplicate of the side speaker signal to the rears in some modes), and what seems to be a poor track record in surround sound and upgradability.
Again, my criteria does not include 2 channel listening and analog pass through, so others may judge these units differently.
Are there any other PrePros in this price range that others would recommend?
Any experiences with other than Lexicon/Logic 7 units on 7.1 channel performance?
I am very interested in bass management for DVD-A and SACD sources. I have a sub/sat speaker system and need to separate out the low frequencies by the time they exit the PrePro. How well the various DVD-A and SACD DVD players do this is still a mystery to me. I've read the outboard Outlaw unit does a decent job.
Ideally, any DVD player, including DVD-A and SACD, should send encrypted digital bit streams to the PrePro for de-encrytpion and decoding, but copyright fears are holding this up. This would not only solve the bass management issue, but would simplify component inter-connections and address time alignment, etc. for multi-channel speaker systems. I read where DVD-A has reached an agreement on doing this, but have seen nothing on SACD. Whatever happens, one feature that I desire in my next PrePro is to be (potentially) upgradeable to do internal de-encrytpion and decoding of DVD-A and SACD digital sources.
For other than DVD-A and SACD sources, (DTS/DD 5.1, 2 channel, etc.) I plan to use digital inputs and use the PrePro's internal bass management. I do not use analog pass through and do all my listening in surround sound independent of source material.
Another aspect I am very intereted in is the PrePro's ability to synthesize 7.1 outputs from any input source (true 7.1 source material may not come about). I currently have a Lexicon DC-1, and with Logic 7, I am a true believer in a 7.1 channel speaker system. Going from a 5.1 to 7.1 set-up in my room made a big difference for me.
In the past, Lex's Logic 7 seemed to be the only real way to enjoy 7.1 channels. Now, with the advent of such as DPLII and THX Ultra II ASA, there are alternatives available. I would love to have a Lex MC-12, but don't want to invest that much in a PrePro.
Units of interest to me are the not yet released Lexicon baby MC-12, the Aragon Stage One, and the Anthem AVM20 with the new software that provides DPLII and THX Ultra II. A possible candidate is the TAG McLaren AVR32-192 although it does not have component video switching.
I ruled out the Krell Showcase because it does not have THX Ultra II's ASA (manual says it simply feeds a duplicate of the side speaker signal to the rears in some modes), and what seems to be a poor track record in surround sound and upgradability.
Again, my criteria does not include 2 channel listening and analog pass through, so others may judge these units differently.
Are there any other PrePros in this price range that others would recommend?
Any experiences with other than Lexicon/Logic 7 units on 7.1 channel performance?