[ctviggen]

My Proceed AVP is on the fritz.  The center channel has noise on it.  I've changed interconnects, amps, and speakers, so I know it's the AVP.  I had my Proceed PMDT fixed, and that cost around $900!  (On the other hand, the PMDT is also a video scaler, so I can feed in 480i and get 16x9 480p out, and it looks perfect; it also blows away the picture on my Oppo, but this isn't a fair comparison.) 

Assuming the Proceed AVP costs around $1,000 to get fixed, should I do this or get a Denon 4803 (around $1,300) plus a preamp -- probably tube -- with pass through?  The benefit to the Denon is that it has HDMI switching, which I'll need once I finally get my projector up and running.  The detriment is that the amps are useless, as I already have a 2 channel amp for my main speakers, a tube amp for my center channel, and a 5 channel Bryston for my surrounds and outside speakers.  The benefit to the Proceed AVP is that the stereo sound is excellent.  I don't think the Denon will be able to touch that.

On the other hand, I'd then have to buy a good preamp with pass through.  I assume that could be expensive.  By the way, how does pass through work?  I run my SB2 to the preamp and the output of the Denon to the preamp, then the preamp switches between the two?  That could be nice, as I could get a tube preamp.  I'm digging my tube amp for my center channel.  What would a "nice" (think person who just had a baby and doesn't want to spend a huge wad) tube/digital preamp cost?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[zybar]

My Proceed AVP is on the fritz.  The center channel has noise on it.  I've changed interconnects, amps, and speakers, so I know it's the AVP.  I had my Proceed PMDT fixed, and that cost around $900!  (On the other hand, the PMDT is also a video scaler, so I can feed in 480i and get 16x9 480p out, and it looks perfect; it also blows away the picture on my Oppo, but this isn't a fair comparison.) 

Assuming the Proceed AVP costs around $1,000 to get fixed, should I do this or get a Denon 4803 (around $1,300) plus a preamp -- probably tube -- with pass through?  The benefit to the Denon is that it has HDMI switching, which I'll need once I finally get my projector up and running.  The detriment is that the amps are useless, as I already have a 2 channel amp for my main speakers, a tube amp for my center channel, and a 5 channel Bryston for my surrounds and outside speakers.  The benefit to the Proceed AVP is that the stereo sound is excellent.  I don't think the Denon will be able to touch that.

On the other hand, I'd then have to buy a good preamp with pass through.  I assume that could be expensive.  By the way, how does pass through work?  I run my SB2 to the preamp and the output of the Denon to the preamp, then the preamp switches between the two?  That could be nice, as I could get a tube preamp.  I'm digging my tube amp for my center channel.  What would a "nice" (think person who just had a baby and doesn't want to spend a huge wad) tube/digital preamp cost?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Bob,

While the Proceed was good in its day, I certainly wouldn't sink another $1k into at this point.

Give me a call and I would be happy to talk about some different ways to approach your goals.

BTW, if you go the receiver route, why not sell one of amps and let the receiver drive the rear channels?  This is how I have been doing it for the past 3-4 years and it works quite well (unless you have very demanding full range surround speakers and listen to lots of MC music).

George

[ctviggen]

George,

I think you're right.  I'll give you a call.  I think I'll keep the Proceed and fix it myself.  I can use it upstairs, in our second system.  I also think that buying a system like the Denon would allow me to use the amps in my Bryston 5-channel in my upstairs room.  Although I like the Creek amp I have there, it's a bit underpowered. 

Bob