Pre-amp, reputation, build quality, simple remote

Lack of flexibility in crossover frequencies for different center/surround speakers

Very unscientific evaluation. My main requirement was DTS/Dolby digital decoding. I just had to include a pre-amp upgrade since industry went to processor/preamps and I was looking for a step-up in the preamp stage. As it turns out, upgrading from a Yamaha CX-1 preamp was harder then I realized.

I did a cursory read of other competitors such as B&K20, Lexicon, Theta, Acurus, Marantz, Sunfire.
Other than the AVP, I auditioned only a demo SSP-25 and found this to be a very attractive unit at a reasonable price point( $3000).

My system includes Duntech "Black Knight" (Regent D400 clones?) speakers powered by ADCOM 5800 with BP2s as surrounds and "Black Knight" mids/tweeter home-built job for center speakers (powered by ADCOM 2535 4 channel amp, two bridged for center). toss in el cheapo OFC speaker cables and other bottom-end interconnects.

My auditions started with almost-desperation purchase of Pioneer Elite DV05 DVD player ($200 off list price and includes 24/96 capable DACs) with Radio Shack Toslink optical cable for digital audio (audiophiles should shudder bigtime - (I did not realizing any better at the time)).

Only after auditioning the Classe SSP-25 (which I almost decided to keep), I realized that the biggest difference in the system was the clear superiority of the DVD player DACs over my aging Laserdisk player. The video was clearly better as well which was a surprise to me.

The AVP gave me everything I wanted: a superb pre-amp stage which included a DAC conversion clearly superior to the DVD player. I could not really distinguish it from the Classe unit other than A/B comparisons with my old Yamaha pre-amp (had to use DVD DACs for the Yamaha) which seemed to show that the AVP was slightly better in clarity, seperation, "musicality", and dynamics). It seems the more I listen to the AVP, the less I likeD the Yamaha pre-amp.

Both the Classe and AVP delivered on improved Pre-amp capabilities as well as decent DTS/Dolby digital presentation. (DTS is simply AWESOME !!! I am not sure I will ever buy a non-DTS capable DVD again even though DTS source material is lacking....) I would have auditioned the Lexicon as well except for a credit card snafu... I had my own concerns with the Lexicon pre-amp (for stereo mode) and build quality which seemed supported by a number of a reviews I've read. I knew about the Lexicon reputation for top-notch surround sound presentation but I am not big on "Cheesy surround modes" and was very prejudiced to high quality pre-amp stages which area of expertise I knew Madrigal (Proceed) shined. I guess this is my loss as I did not properly audition the Lexicon before deciding to buy the AVP.

The reason I picked the AVP over the Classe unit was growth. Madrigal's reputation was also important. I also noted that tight interconnect cables seemed to pull away the gold-plated fastenings on the Classe unit which seemed to me an indication of possible shortcomings in the Classe build-quality.

The AVP is also already set-up to support growth to the new Dolby Digital EX and DTS EX 6.1 surround format with a software upgrade. The same could not be said for the Classe unit. The AVP is also claimed to be able to support 24/96 though the software I was using apparently does not support this... I tried with some Chesky stuff but had to use the DVD as the 24/96 DAC to make this work. (Using the DVD DACs seemed more and more muddier the longer I listened to the AVP DACSs).


I want more high resolution audio stuff....Is Chesky the only company to provide 24/96 stuff for sale ??? DVD-Audio seems like a long-term pipe dream until they figure out workable encyrption schemes to discourage/prevent piracy.
(not that the Proceed would eventually have the capability to support DVD-Audio using the DVD transport digital outputs....)

Also need to take take advantage of XLR balanced cables for the preamp/amp connections and start paying attention to the quality of other interconnects. I did get talked into replacing the Toslink optical link with "decent-quality" coaxial digital audio link.....but that's another story

Similar Products Used:

SSP-25

Great sound

Reliability, clicking when switching modes

I like my Proceed AVP - it sounds great. However, I was disappointed with the quality - my unit was replaced twice before I got one which worked properly. One thing I'm interested in from other users is clicking. All of my units have given a slight click when going into and out of standby, and my third unit clicks rather loudly when switching between surround modes. Does anyone else have this problem?

Please note that I have the 230V European model.

System:
Proceed AVP
Proceed AMP5
Revel Ultima speaker system (except sub)
Velodyne HGS12

Similar Products Used:

none

Home Theatre, Versatility, Appearance, Upgradeable

None

Home theatre is absolutely oustanding. I am working through my substantial video library and enjoying the movies like it was the first time. Musically, the AVP is great. The differences are not as great as in HT, but I am listening everyday again. Works very well with my low-end set-up:

Sony Wega 36XBR400
Proceed AVP
Rotel RMB 1095
Sony 7700 DVD
Paradigm Ref 20 (mains)
Paradigm Ref Active CC
B&W 65 In-ceiling (rears)
Energy XL-10 Sub

Similar Products Used:

Auditioned Krell, Meridian, Lexicon, EAD, and Classe AV preamps