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Looking for New AV Processor

Hi All,

I posted back in 2023, got some good advice, but never pulled the trigger on anything as I spent too much coin on camera gear! So I’m back, asking the same question as the options may have changed a little since 2023!

So let’s start with my current setup:

B&W CM10’s front left and right
B&W Center 2 front
B&W 685’s rear left and right
B&W PV1 sub
Yamaha CX-A5000 AV Processor

Monolith 7X Amp
Panasonic DP-UB820 Blu-ray Player
Sony 65” X900H TV

At the time the Yamaha CX-A5000 was a budget pick based on financials as I was moving from a Pioneer SC-27 receiver to an amp + processor setup, so I feel the processor is now the weakest link in my system, thus considering an upgrade and would to hear some expert advice. My budget is ~$2k - $2.5k and I’m going to buy 2nd hand.

Regarding video, my current processor isn’t HDR capable so I’m looking for at least 4K HDR10 capabilities in regards to video content, but ideally 4K HDR 10+ & Dolby Vision capable. With regards to music, most of my listening 24bit HD music. If there’s one characteristic of the sound I’d like to improve with this upgrade is that currently my setup can become a bit bright / harsh when watching movies (Blu-ray source mostly) and I’d like a bit more ooomph in terms of bass.

Looking at previous recommendations and searching ebay, the following are my current picks:

1) Marantz AV8805A

2) Anthem AVM70

3) Rotel RSP-1582

The Rotel is now a bit outdated and gets mixed reviews overall, especially regarding durability, but they always had the reputation of being a good pairing with B&W speakers? But both Marantz and Anthem get rave reviews so I think it’s between these two really? Advice welcomed as always.

 

Kev Doc

kdochert
ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,468 posts
 

I have B&W 805 Fronts, center and Surrounds and B&W 800 ASW subwoofers with a 250wpc Rotel amp. One of my subwoofers started buzzing... so I called to have repaired (every ten years they need repair) and they said no longer. So I ordered a couple SVS PB 3000 subwoofer as  replacements.

The very next day (after my subsstarted buzzing and I ordered the replacements) my 30 year old flagship Meridian surround processor went out. I didn’t bother calling to see if it could be fixed (again... once every ten years it needed repair). I researched and ordered a Marantz A10 (for the reasons @soix states) 

I have had it for a couple weeks. It sounds fantastic... warm and musical. I had hoped that the lapse of 30 years would have superior sonics in processor that was a fraction of the cost. I have not been disappointed. The system is more natural sounding and much more coherent. 

Happily the A10 is available from Best Buy... $8K two years interest free... so that made it easy. 

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
1,395 posts
 

Seems to me that Marantz owns this space!  I've been delighted with my AV8802 pre-processor and especially the way it handles every digital format I've thrown at it from silver disks over HDMI.  Its AKM dacs handle DSD natively, as well as multi-channel PCM including Dolby Atmos.

mark200mph
854 posts
 

Dennon 8500 h used great processor at least 13 channels. I have the marantz av 10 and the reviews are correct it's fantastic

travelinjack's avatar
travelinjack
302 posts
 

I'd save up for the MiniDSP Tide 16 since it includes a Dirac license. 

This assumes your amps can handle XLR since it has no RCA. 

https://www.minidsp.com/products/ht-series/tide16

kdochert OP
30 posts
 

@SOIX

Good question on cables. Speaker cables are Audioquest, but I can't for the life of me remember the exact name / spec, they are bi-amping capable with 8 wires per cable. The interconnects are XLR Morrow MA3's for the front and MA2's for the surround channels. I'm not currently bi-amping, should I? Previous advice suggested no.

My current Sub is located front middle (mostly due to having four cats) and I've added a little gain, but adding a second sub is a good idea, the SV1 is quite musical and nimble but is maybe lacking oomph and maybe needs a big brother.

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