Audio performance (sound), ease of set-up, appearance.

Glitches in acquiring digital signal, remote.

As a self admitted audio nut, I am constantly in search of the ultimate piece of equipment. I was sure the AVP was such a piece. Once I had elevated myself (and my savings) to the point where I could afford one, I would be in home audio bliss and it would damn sure be the last pre-amp I''''d ever have to buy. Then reality kicked me right in the a$$ with a pointed boot. I got it home and set it up (DAMN IT, HURRY UP!) with an anticipation I''''m quite sure anyone reading this is WELL aware of. The AVP is very professionally packaged and equally easy to hook up and set up. TIME FOR TUNES!! I proceeded (pun intended) to listen to every CD in my collection...but something was missing, the first bit of every song. It seems the AVP looses and must re-acquire the signal on every song, so the first (under a second BUT DARN NOTICEABLE) bit of every song is cut out. I''''m missing the first chord or drum beat of everything I listen to. As an added bonus, when I play a DTS DVD and the AVP is in DVD mode, I must press the DVD button AGAIN so the unit can acquire the DTS signal after I''''ve set up the disk. I tried 2 other digital cables, one was a $600.00 Madrigal gel, they made no difference. I then took the unit to the dealer where we hooked it up in their showroom and re-created the problem on every attempt. At that point Madrigal decided not to screw around and shipped a new one to me. I received it today and have been playing with it for 4 hours now...there is no difference, it has all the same glitches the first one had. I was told that the people at Madrigal were ''''flabbergasted''''. They told me this is the only one in the world that had these glitches. Guess what Madrigal, now there are 2. I am very disenchanted with the AVP now. A friend of mine bought Anthems new AVM 20 and has no such problems...and even if he did he spent almost $3000.00 less than I did. I understand there is an upgrade in the works for the AVP, but I''''ve not heard if it would address the problems I''''m having. It''''s important to note that these problems occur when the AVP is playing from a digital input, using it''''s DAC''''s. When I play a CD via analog inputs it does not happen. I''''m going to talk to the dealer and to Madrigal, but I am already searching for another pre-amp. THE RACK: Proceed AVP (for now...) Teac VRDS 9 CD player Marantz DV-18 MKII McIntosh MC 352 A

Similar Products Used:

Anthem AVM 2, McIntosh MX 132

quality,reliability,easy to use, programs

glitchs

I had a all Denon system and managed to save enough money to put together a killer system. A consultant talked me into buying the Proceed AVP along with the HP2 & HP3. For the money I spent I would not get rid of it!!! The sound and clarity is hard to match.

System:
Proceed AVP
Proceed HP2
Proceed HP3
MK 5000THX speakers for the fronts and center
MK SS-150THX speakers for the rear
MK MX-5000 MK II THX subwoofer
Denon DVD5000

Similar Products Used:

Denon

Beautiful chasis and build quality, upgradable tech, ease of use.

I have had to reboot the unit a few times, but it may have been caused by an electrical surge.

Briefly......breath taking sonic performance.
Performs well in both audio and video applications.

I have heard NOTHING that compares to the performance of the proceed.
I agree that the Lexicon DC2 fell way flat on my in home demo of the prodcut.
I find myself pulling CD's out one after another to enjoy what I have missed from my earlier yet capable Adcom setup.
Proceed audio is as crystal clear,beautiful accurate soundstage and as dynamic and versitile a preamp as you could ever want to own.
It does not get much better than this at ANY price.
I agree with others commments that it was money well spent.

The L/R stereo surround mode for Audio gives just the right amount of ambience without adding reverb.

DTS sound is astonishing, along with the ultimate in movie dynamics.

5.1 processor for DVD's could not be improved upon...I feel I own a state of the art component....I will be nejoying for many years to come.

Powered by ample Adcom amps, new Sony topline S7700 DVD player( I unhooked my CD Nakamichi which will be donated somehwere!)
The Proceed sings thru 8 year old Klipsch Chorus II'S with matching center and year Klipsch's...with a HSG-15 Velodyne Subwoofer.

My only complaint is that I am getting bed sores from sitting on my sofa too long!!! LOL

Buy...have it set-up professionally. My rep came to my home and helped me with the set-up( I had done much of the set-up myself)...and fine-tuning.
I HIGHLY reccomend using a "sound meter" to balance your 5 speakers with.
Good luck with whatever you choose as each of us have a different sensitivty to sound...there are many good choices out there.
Marc

Similar Products Used:

N/A

Great 2 channel analog preamp, excellent dolby digital, broadcast quality video switching.

No dolby ex, no component video switch

Great performance with the best surround processing I have personally owned. For the first time my hometheater sounds better than the sound I hear at the movie theater. Sound is very clear and clean. Able to configure inputs to suit your need by labeling and selecting what type of connection you'd like to make. Has almost any input connecting that you can imagine. Very flexible with 8 channels which means it will not be obsolete any time soon.

Similar Products Used:

none

Clear definition of the sound image. Front , center, surround are very well defined, se then the overall sound just like one, moving surroung us. Easy to operate, nice looking, fantastic remote control.

For using the music, this pre-amp produce too bright sound. I feel like the vocal is too bright resulting the high frequency becomes too strong. It make me feels tired easily when we listen too long time.

I have confused from so long when I have to decide whioch product is the best buy for me. The price tag is about US$4500,...emm, quite expensive . However, that is the cost of hobby. Comparing AVP to Casanova was very very difficult. Both have a smooth sound, but finally, I choose the AVp because of its flexibility and easy of the configuration setting. The sound, I feel that AVP is brighter than Casanova, but because iof it, for short listening (1.5 hours), it has advantage. Make the feeling like we listen in the front of the singer. Aragon, however, i believe, produces the best music compared with thos two. but, I don't know,......the apprearance of Aragon Soundstage really make me don't want to buy this product. Also, Aragon does not have the On Screen Display, really make me feel tired when we should check what is goping on on this pre-amp. Finally, I say, AVP is the best overall point, nice looking, easy to set up, clear sound (enven a bit too bright)...

Similar Products Used:

Aragon Soundstage, Theta Casanova

Sound quality, build quality, and extensive features are all absolutely topnotch!

nothing significant (for me at least); read below

The Proceed AVP is a gem! Beautiful industrial build quality (as all Proceed products) and second-to-none ergonomics. The unit simply looks stunning. But it is the sound that truly sells this product.

I have auditioned and/or have personally owned or used the Sunfire Theater Grand, Lexicon MC-1 and DC-1, Theta's Casablanca, Classe's SSP-50, Krells Home Theater Standard, and Parasound's new pre/pro. The Proceed, in my experience, is amongst the best sounding stereo preamp of the bunch. Classe's SSP-50 was the only thing I found comparable (the SSP-50 is great product!). The Theta Casablanca were competetive, but fell slightly short, not carrying as warm and liquid a stereo experience as I found with the Proceed (the Casanova was inferior to the Casablanca in this aspect, and hence the Proceed as well). Both Lexicons did not perform to my expectations, each sounding relatively thin, analytical and unmusical to my ears (admittedly, I drive Thiels that can sound harsh with such products). The stereo quality from the Sunfire, Parasound, and even Krell were not in the same league.

As for multichannel use in general, the Proceed may not have been the very best, but was competitive in every category I observed. The Lexicon MC-1 did a better job with movie tracks and the sense of envelopement, and I liked the Casablanca the most with Dobly 5.1. Krell, in this field, was also very competant, but I still found the Proceed a much better unit here. Classe SSP-50 performed much like the Proceed AVP. Though Sunfire and Parasound both sounded good with soundtrack reproduction, they were not of the same caliber as the remaining pre/pros in this field.

If you're like me and place greater importance on stereo reproduction, I highly recommend the Proceed (or the Classe). If cinema is of greater concern, consider the Lexicon MC-1 or Casablanca as well. Try out Meridian's pre/pros as well (I didn't get a chance).

For the price (even at $5000), the Proceed AVP is a steal for all the things it does right.

Similar Products Used:

many

Software updates/High-end 2 channel audio/Ease of use/ XLR Balanced in/out / build quality superb & attractive!

lack of expansion inputs (DVD Audio)/computer glitches/expensive for today's market/set up for analog by pass could easier

If you are considering the AVP. Let me touch on some points that the other reviews do not mention.

I quickly moved up the price mountain as I auditioned today's very best pre-amp surround processors. One didn't sound good with music, the other was poor with AC-3 direction and speed. What I found most appealing right away with the AVP was how simple it was to set up and listen to music and watch movies in an environment of audio luxury. Everything from treble details to low end information was delivered with purity and less "processed" sound. It quicly recognizes which is the best processing available and leaves only couple to choose from instead of having to skip through multi surround modes and DSPs.

Reall, the unit is not cheap. $5000 USD, $6500 CDN. But if you consider that the DAC inside is better than most very good CD players, and you don't already own one, I would say that it is one of the best combinations of audiophile quality stereo sound with top of the line home theatre surround sound. You can easily spend $1000 - $1500 on high quality CD player. If you manage to combine this AVP with a good DVD (that is built as a good CD transport as well -- hint Sony DVD 7700 -$800 USD) then you have spent $5800 USD on a system that shouldn't disappointed you anytime soon. It is relatively future proof with the ability to be updated by software. This feature really helps out.

The excellence of the company itself, Madrigal is also worth mentioning. I spent weeks researching --like of all us somehow enjoy (???)-- and all through this the Madrigal team was always there answering questions via email. They also reminded me what the important features are about this unit when compared to competition that may or may not have sounded better than the AVP. Sometimes these features weigh out the extra tiny bit of sound improvement you may hear in stereo from other makers. Personally, if you think there is better, you really should just get a seperate room for audio because you can probably afford it and secondly you should probably being spending more of your cash on your speakers any way! ;-) Definately check out the www.madrigal.com site and read all about their philosophies of extend product lives, future formats, etc.

Amplification- I went with a Bryston 9B ST, 5 channel x 120W amplifer and I am very pleased. But I almost traded my 9B back in to upgrade to either an AMP 5 or and HPA3. I believe you will probably find some synergy with the AVP and the Proceed amps but if you can't afford them you can still get all the benefits of the AVP coupling it with other great multi-channel amplifers. (Bryston, Parasound, Rotel (200W+), Classe, etc)

If I must admit to any reservations I have with the unit, I would only say that I think the GUI of the setup menu could be more in depth. I guess this might defeat the simplicity advantage I commented on early but most of us always want more options that less. Also, I can see that the Remote outputs are benifited by being balanced/XLR, but I think I would have rather seen 5 x XLR balaned outputs. I also find that setting the unit up for stereo listening to avoid the DAC can be confusing. The manual is great though (you can get a PDF download at www.madrigal.com/proceedlist.htm ) Also if you are a S video freak, be aware that the AVP is not able to downconvert an Svideo signal through RCA. You may also want to order the version in non-Svideo to save some money ($500US) if you don't plan on using them. I bought the S version and still haven't found the use yet. (DVD Svideo direct to TV I believe is much better than pushing the signal through anything.)

I highly recommend this unit for its performance in both hometheatre (DTS is amazing with this unit) and stereo music listening. Compared to higher priced competition, it really is a value for equipment that is made by the makers of Mark Levinson.

Cheers
RC Warden

Similar Products Used:

Rotel RSP 985, Lexicon DC-2, Krell Home Theatre Standard,

Superior sound, features, flexibility, upgradability, ease-of-use, remote (the big remote).

No ES modes yet, some glitches, reliability.

I bought this product as an upgrade to the PAV, which I owned for several years and loved. I basically love Madrigal products (I have a Levinson No. 36 also).

I auditioned and researched all the products in this category, and this was the only one that did everything I want, sounded great and was easy to use. I have four subs with specific intended uses, and a maze of sources. The unit was a snap to install and configure (total time about 1.5 hours). The AC3 RF demodulator works great, and with the big (optional but worth it) remote it's a snap to operate.

Many others here have detailed the features and superior qualities of the AVP, so I'll forego that. Instead, I want to discuss the PROBLEMS. Namely, reliability. I have had my unit for 2 1/2 years. The first unit didn't have a working RF emitter on the panel, and the little remote was flaky. They promptly sent a new unit. Again, the panel was defective. It turned out to be a recent design defect, which they were able to have the dealer repair in my home. 18 months later, noises start coming from the surrounds. Unit is sent in, and they comment they had gotten 8 units in recently with the same problem. They couldn't fix it. After 8 weeks, they sent a brand new unit. I have had the new one a year now, and the front panel display has intermittent problems starting a couple months ago. I'm scared to send it back in.

In short, I love the AVP, but am disappointed in the reliability.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Citation.

Audio performance, user interface, product support, upgradability

Expense

The AVP's audio is superlative. After listening to the unit, I was happy to accept its cost. My purchase satisfaction was reinforced recently when I found an operational glitch in my unit one year after the purchase date. Though they were unable to recreate the problem, Madrigal stood behind this product 100%. I highly recommend this unit to others.

Balanced outputs and digital input, BNC digital input, simple remote and easy set-up, asthetics

No component inputs and output, outdated DAC's, limited bass management

Three years ago this was a really great pre/processor. I recently developed a bad right channel so I used a B&K AVP 307 in it's place running through the same amps (2 B&K Reference amps). I was amazed at how much better the B&K sounded! I could hear a much wider and deeper sound stage. In addition, I could also now hear small details and nuances in movie sound tracks that just were plain missing with the Proceed. With the Proceed I was always fooling with my rear surrounds trying to get them to better integrate with what was going on up front. The B&K seemlessly integrates them and now I hear things from the rear channels that the Proceed never could reproduce. The bass management on the Proceed is just plain weak with limited adjustability and intgration with the higher frequencies. The B&K really betters the Proceed in this area significantly both in adjustability (5 Hz. increments v.s 10 for the Proceed)and in it's control (read "tightness"). Also, you can set the B&K to filter out a bass node in the 0-150 Hz. range thus reducing room interaction with your sub. This is a great feature that really works well and significantly smooths out the sub and seems to also result in the low frequencies sounding quicker. The Proceedhas no component video inputs and outputs whichis a real disadvantage today.

The bottom line here is that three years ago this was a great expensive processor. Today it's a mediocre expensive processor that is bested by a unit costing half as much. I liked the B&K 307 so much that I am going to unload the Proceed and opt for the B&K Reference 30 pre amp/processor. Proceed dosen't need to look over their shoulder for the competition, it's already in front of them.

Similar Products Used:

B&K AVP307, Rotel RSP985