RichardMA
Second Unit
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2002
- Messages
- 446
With the Outlaw 950 offering high-end build quality
(internal components) and support for most major surround
formats, I'm wondering why companies like Bryston, Krell,
Lexicon, Sunfire, etc can justify the high prices they
ask for their surround processors. Beyond a certain level,
"improvements" are questionable, such as 1/2" thick aluminum front panels or fancy looks treatments like EAD's
"depth" aluminum front panel. It seems like with a handful
of key I.C.s doing the decoding work, the only major differences are likely to be in the analog section and in all honesty, I can't see a $5000 difference there between
the Outlaw and the Krell that makes any economic sense.
I think the most compelling reason for the introduction of
more reasonably prices North American/European designed
surround preamps is that it appears the Japanese companies(who have provided the only reasonably priced surround preamps in any number) are about to bail and go strictly into receivers.
(internal components) and support for most major surround
formats, I'm wondering why companies like Bryston, Krell,
Lexicon, Sunfire, etc can justify the high prices they
ask for their surround processors. Beyond a certain level,
"improvements" are questionable, such as 1/2" thick aluminum front panels or fancy looks treatments like EAD's
"depth" aluminum front panel. It seems like with a handful
of key I.C.s doing the decoding work, the only major differences are likely to be in the analog section and in all honesty, I can't see a $5000 difference there between
the Outlaw and the Krell that makes any economic sense.
I think the most compelling reason for the introduction of
more reasonably prices North American/European designed
surround preamps is that it appears the Japanese companies(who have provided the only reasonably priced surround preamps in any number) are about to bail and go strictly into receivers.