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A/V Receiver VS. Surround Sound Processor & Amp (1 Viewer)

MasterAudio

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Which is better? Are there advantages to a SSP & amp?

I've always owned the all in one A/V receiver. Just curious about going in the other direction when talking about a SSP & amp combo.
 

Phil A

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You gave the ability to get better amps (although one could use preamp outs with a receiver too). Also, the processor can have better power supplies. Digital technology changes rapidly. That's why I have a 2-channel preamp with HT Bypass and use a receiver. When something new comes out, I can rotate a receiver to a secondary system and get a new one for the main system. It depends on what you are using as a receiver, SSP and amps.
 

MasterAudio

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That all makes sense. Im just curious, because one day I'm hoping to have my own dedicated home theater room. Just wondering as to what would be a better look processor/amp or a top end A/V. Also, I feel like I've had better luck with some units that are devoted at doing one thing great rather than a few different things good if that makes sense.
 

Phil A

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MasterAudio said:
That all makes sense. Im just curious, because one day I'm hoping to have my own dedicated home theater room. Just wondering as to what would be a better look processor/amp or a top end A/V.Also, I feel like I've had better luck with some units that are devoted at doing one thing great rather than a few different things good if that makes sense.
As Sam's post indicates, the technology changes so with either you are going to have something out-of-date several years down the road. That's why I rid of the expensive processor route. I may get a refurb Dolby Atmos receiver in a couple of months in a secondary system where I have a 5 or so year old Marantz 6003 receiver (along with a preamp with HT Bypass and and a 2-channel amp) and just move the Marantz to the office system where I have a 12 year old Sony ES receiver. It's easy to do that with a receiver and I still have the amp and preamp for 2-channel.

I have a couple of systems where I had the builder run in-ceiling surrounds and I'm just doing 2-channel for now (office and a spare bedroom). In one of those in a spare bedroom I already have a TV, a preamp that has HT Bypass and an amp and assuming I find a spot to put the receiver (space is tight), it will be another surround system too. It's much harder to do with a SSP as you need more amplifiers
 

Phil A

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With a separate SSP and outboard amplification, you could always keep the amplification for quite a while and upgrade the SSP when new technology is available. That may make sense if you just have one system and 2-channel music is something of lesser interest that HT
 

JohnRice

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MasterAudio said:
Just wondering as to what would be a better look processor/amp or a top end A/V.
If the "look" is the priority, then the answer is what looks best to you.
 

Glen B2

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MasterAudio said:
Which is better? Are there advantages to a SSP & amp?

I've always owned the all in one A/V receiver. Just curious about going in the other direction when talking about a SSP & amp combo.
Another option is to use an AVR with preouts for all channels versus an SSP. Use separates fed from the AVR main preouts to drive the main speakers, and the AVR to drive the less demanding surround channel speakers. That's how I've been doing it for a number of years. The price of entry for AVRs with the latest bells and whistles is typically lower than that of many preamp/processors. You will find full preouts on mid-priced and higher AVRs. Manufacturers like Outlaw and Emotiva though have been reducing the cost of entry for AV preamp/processors.
 

Mr645

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Separate amp are a lot more powerful then a receiver. Forget what the ratings say. a 100 wpc external amp will be at least twice as powerful as a receiver rated at 100 wpc. And like stated above, amps last for a long time. I have the same Parasound amp since 1999 and it works great. Separate processors are also better but they often cost a lot more then a receiver with all the latest features and mid range and above receivers typically have pre outs so they can be used as a processor and send the signal to the amp.
 
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Mr645 said:
Separate amp are a lot more powerful then a receiver. Forget what the ratings say. a 100 wpc external amp will be at least twice as powerful as a receiver rated at 100 wpc. And like stated above, amps last for a long time. I have the same Parasound amp since 1999 and it works great. Separate processors are also better but they often cost a lot more then a receiver with all the latest features and mid range and above receivers typically have pre outs so they can be used as a processor and send the signal to the amp.
Fully agreed with your post.
 

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