Versatility/flexibility of installation, soundstage

buggy software, too many failures for such a pricey product.

I like the way my AVP sounds. I like the ease with which it can be set up and its many input/output combinations. I am however tired of reading everywhere that the unit is "upgradeable over the internet" @#$$%. The unit is upgradeable but NOT over the internet. You must go through a dealer. End users are not given access to madrigals download site ... and I am several hours away from my dealer.
Most of you who read this review are competent enough to do an upgrade (and I have managed to do my own - after much pleading) and should be allowed to do so.

Very good sound (when available!)

Limited evolution( no surround EX, DTS ES, pro Logic 2,...).
Expensive.

I'm very disapointed with this product with many "bugs", in spite of downloading the latest upgrades.
I sell it after 11 months and I buy a TAG Mac Laren (AV32R). Sorry!!

Similar Products Used:

Sony TA 9000.

Just got word on the updates coming down the pipe on this great piece. Madrigal is hoping to have everything ready by summer 2002.
First, a new set of proccessing chips. 32 bit SHARC's, two of 'em.
Second, new DAC's. AKM 24/96 capable on all 8 channels.
Third, every surround format known to God. DTS-ES discrete, Prologic II, THX-EX, all the toys.
Madrigal is serious about this piece and will be for years to come. The upgrades are all based on the architecture of the new big bucks Levinson proccessor.
This will be a factory upgrade, so you will have to send in your unit. New AVP's with the upgrades installed will run around $6500, and Madrigal is trying to keep the upgrade near $1500.

Set-up ease, clarity, design, build quality, appearance, performance, flexibility

none yet

Phenomenal product!! Crisp and clear reproduction of music and video. I am running Hales Revelation Three in the Front and B&W 805's in the rear and it sounded like I replaced every component in my system (it is not yet broken in). Set up is amazing with the ability to customize the front and rear panel inputs to your system.

Have experienced no problems to date with DTS or DD decoding (sound) although I run progressive scan directly to my TV so I have no need run the video through the AVP.

This is a first class product and I would recommend it to anyone.

System I use:
Parasound HCA-2205A
Sony DVP-9000ES
Hales Rervelation Three main and Center
B&W 805 Rear
B&W ASW 2500 Sub
Transparent Music Link Super Interconnects and Speaker Cable
Toshiba 61HX70 HDTV

Similar Products Used:

Rotel, Nakamichi, Lexicon

Set-up ease, clarity, design, build quality, appearance, performance, flexibility

none yet

Phenomenal product!! Crisp and clear reproduction of music and video. I am running Hales Revelation Three in the Front and B&W 805's in the rear and it sounded like I replaced every component in my system (it is not yet broken in). Set up is amazing with the ability to customize the front and rear panel inputs to your system.

Have experienced no problems to date with DTS or DD decoding (sound) although I run progressive scan directly to my TV so I have no need run the video through the AVP.

This is a first class product and I would recommend it to anyone.

System I use:
Parasound HCA-2205A
Sony DVP-9000ES
Hales Rervelation Three main and Center
B&W 805 Rear
B&W ASW 2500 Sub
Transparent Music Link Super Interconnects and Speaker Cable
Toshiba 61HX70 HDTV

Similar Products Used:

Rotel, Nakamichi, Lexicon

I recently purchased the Proceed AVP. It is an exceptional piece of audio video genius. It is not cheap, and me not being a wealthy person, I am justified in saying this. I just finished a new home theater and bought a preamp that was obsolete, and not ready for the "future". I was distressed in the decision I mad, but my installer let me trade in the old piece and get this new Proceed, which IS ready for the future. It wsa expensive, but I have forgotten about the cost, because it sound so, so very good! So much etter than my old piece. The soundstage is HUGE! The sound is uncolored, and detailed. The trebles are sweet and airy, the midrange is forward and big sounding, and the bass is tight and musical. The stereo music is AWESOME! I am so pleased with the imaging. The DTS surround is amazing. Whenlistening to the Eagles Hotel California in DTS, the sound comes from all around you, and the sound is so clean and clear- did wonders for my reference NHT speakers. I am so happy with this, it will be with me my entire life, and I think I made the right choice on spending the extra money for a piece that sounds so out of this world and envelops you in the sound, and willnever go obsolete. All I have to do to upgrade this baby is hook it up to my computer, adn download the new program off Proceed's internet site straight into my AVP. Go get one- you won't be disappointed!

Go read the review of the AVP in the November 1998 issue of Home Theater. They gave it rave reviews, and I too, give mine rave reviews! Five stars- all the way!

The Proceed AVP is an outstanding preamplifier/processor with Dolby Digital and DTS. It is software upgradable so it should be able to handle any new format that comes along (DVD audio, for example). The sound quality is excellent and never fatiguing. The ergonomics are the best I've seen and the remote is wonderful. I've compared it against the B&K Ref20 and the AVP is the clear winner. Its not cheap, but I have long since forgotten about the money while I continue to enjoy this unit.

I bought an AVP last week and have been happy with it. Compared to my previous integrated amplifier (a Technics box), this one sounds great. I could listen to the details much better and the frequency response is a joy to listen. I use it with a Bryston 9B ST, and they work well together. My speakers are B&W 804 (Main), B&W 805 (center), B&W CDM1 SE (rear), and a Velodyne FSR 15.
In addition to the preformance, the following features are what made me buy the AVP: (1) a large number of audio and video inputs, (2) DSP processors, (3) flexibility, and (4) software upgradability.

The last one is very important for me due to a several competing audio formats battling it out right now.

Proceed says the AVP would sound better after 300 hours, but after 50, I'm already happy.

The Proceed pieces (AVP/AMP5) replaced beloved Levinson gear. Home Theater did me in - I resisted for as long as I could.
Frankly, I expected great "soundtracks" at the expense of my favorite music, ranges from classical to country. No such problem. It sounds GREAT. I was convinced that no stereo "surround" mode would ever sound worth beans - this one sounds FINE!

System is:
Theil 3.6 Fronts/Hales Revelation Ctr & Surrounds/LDS2 Laserdisc/Cal Audio CD Transport (running balanced digital out)/Marantz DCC/ Sony DSS/RCA DVD - I'm waiting for format wars to end/Transparent interconnects.