Attention Manufacturers: What I want is a TINY HT processor!


As a terminal apartment dweller, one thing that really bugs me is that no matter what year it is, HT processors and receivers remain HUGE.

I want one that is tiny. Specifically, I'd like them to be shorter.  There's more than one HT processor I've seen that has insides made of air. Why is it so damn deep and hard to fit into a shelf?

Also, I don't want more than 5.1. Where am I going to put them?
End of rant.
erik_squires
Thanks for the kind words, Michael,

It does not have to be HEA, but it has to be good. I've tried going with Onkyo and Emotiva, and compared to my then 6 year old Casanova, they sucked. I mean, really really thin.

I'm having cognitive dissonance between the speakers I have and equipment I have in boxes vs. my living room space.

Right now I've got the Mytek running as the pre. Inputs from TV via optical S/PDIF and music via USB which goes to my two monoblocks.

In boxes I have:
  • Oppo 103
  • Parasound P7
  • 3 Monoblock Class D amps
From a space/aesthetic perspective I'd love to have 1 receiver. If I can't have that, a decent processor which at least doesn't cloud the Brooklyn or has built in DAC's as good as the Brooklyn.

So I'm kind of stuck.

I'm thinking of selling off the P7 and Brooklyn to fund this, but I don't want to downgrade by accident as music is one of my most important joys.

Hi Erik

About 5 or so years ago I stumbled across the Sherwood RX-4105 receiver and was amazed at how well it tuned. With a few very simple tweaks it beat up on some serious big buck amps, or at least equaled. Since that time I've been thinking about tuning one of their AV units. I've been looking at the R-507.

I think there are some super low mass and small receivers that have got to be in thinking camps of some of the more mass production companies. I also think the new breed of audiophiles are going to be all over that market. We will see. In the meantime I'm going to check out one of these units from Sherwood to see if the same sound can be had in their simple 5.1 designs.

It's exciting to watch the new designs make their way into high ends territory. Takes a little mental adjustment for many, but it was always a matter of time.

mg

Yep, they are nice looking. I got burned with an Emotiva. Not going down that path again. :)