Looking for New AV Processor

@Charban

Agree regarding what products evolve with technology updates and which less so. It's one of the reasons I went for separate amp and processor, my amp is now good for 10 - 20 yrs and I just need to update the processor as and when it's justifiable (every 5yrs?). It's also why I'm buying a used processor a generation or so old, I'm getting almost as good gear for less than half price of the new stuff. In fact a leasing option would make sense .

@kdochert 

It's also why I'm buying a used processor a generation or so old,

Or you can buy a new 8K AVR for $1k, use it as a movie processor and use the remaining $1.5k on a quality new or used 2 channel preamp. You'll get better sound quality for music going this route and it's all NEW.

I have a Rotel RC 1572 MKII preamp and a Marantz Cinema 30.  I would recommend them both.  The Rotel has been very reliable in my experience.  

@bartsw 

A $1k AVR is where it all started as it happens , music aside, it wasn’t hitting the spot sonically for TV and movies. The move to the separates brought a big bump in performance.

@kdochert 

Honestly, it’s been a while since I last used Audyssey, but I do think ARC still has a slight edge.  It gives you a bit more control over the correction window and target curves. You can set individual correction limits per speaker group.  I always used that.  I’d typically limit correction to only below like 300 - 400 Hz to tame the room modes while keeping the mids and highs true to the speaker’s natural curve.  Otherwise it tries to create a completely flat curve which my ears don’t really like.  Maybe a small thing, but I liked and used it - with ARC you can remeasure individual speakers.  Useful if you make some position adjustments.  You don’t have to remeasure for everything, just the speakers you want to remeasure.  I always just felt ARC produced a more natural, cohesive sound, albeit with some tinkering with the generated curves.