Rethinking things

[zullo]

I have owned a a51 amp for some time and love it. I've been holding off buying a c2 forever because I have a p.o.s old onkyo from yesteryear.
Now with all the advancements I was looking at a denon avr-4806.
Having that processing with an amp like the one I have seems to be the right combination, no.
Of course the rack wont look as pretty, but pretty fades and it all comes down to sound and all those upgrades............what u guys think.

rich

[locomk]

4806 is a great receiver with a big nice power supply, but you'll be paying mostly for the amplification and video switching in that model. get a used c2 instead, much better.

[zullo]

Maybe I'll just wait four years for parasound to incorporate DOLBY TRUE-HD on their new processor.

[Whistler]

The sound quality of the Denon is ... , the absolute horror.

[mikepinkerton]

I have a 4802 driven by an A51 and it sounds great. The reviews on the web all seem to indicate that the pre/pro section of the 480x is *quite* good and it's dragged down seriously by the amp section. Replace that with Parasound goodness and....good times!

C2 doesn't have any DVI switching, and the DVI switcher they do sell doesn't switch audio. Gives one lots of pause before buying...

-Mike

[Chris D]

Yeah, it's sure tempting to go with another product that has the latest and greatest technology. It's something each person will have to gauge, whether it's worth the expense to replace what they've got to attain a particular new feature. For me, I really want something processor-wise with HDMI 1.3 audio switching. I just can't justify leaving the C1 quality and spending all that new money for it yet. (and 1.3 processors still aren't even here)

mike, just to be clear, Parasound created the Zhd to switch HDMI, which does do both audio and video. Now if we can get them to port the HDMI audio into the C1/C2/7100!

[Vinny]

If you already have the A51....... maybe consider Outlaw's processor? Or simply wait another half year for the first generation of HDMI1.3 stuff

[hays0023]

Chris,

I guess the question is...Will Parasound be planning that type of upgrade? I have decided to keep my NC 7100 for I truly love the sound...For the time being, I can use the analog outs on my HD DVD player, but if and when I want another HDMI device, I am going to need a processor that can make use of this type of input.

[Chris D]

hays, yes, that is the question, and I have to say that really, we don't know. I'd have to say that yes, it's certain that Parasound will add HDMI 1.3 to their processor lineup in the future. So then we get two underlying questions--will Parasound add HDMI audio input (probably 1.3) to their current C1/C2/7100, or will they wait for the next models? And when will this happen?

My honest guess--there will be talk, perhaps plans, but I personally would off-the-cuff guess that we won't see HDMI audio input/processing in Parasound pre/pros until new models are released. As for when it will happen? Don't know, but won't be soon.

If I get another player of some sort with multichannel analog outputs, I'm going to pick up a Zektor switcher for the multichannel analogs.

[nbourbaki]

I'm with Mike here, I'm also using a Denon 4802 as a pre for my A51. I can afford to wait out Parasound for a HDMI 1.3 processor with an advanced room correction system.

[Chris D]

Mmmm.... that would be tasty.

[zullo]

I guess I will see after CES then. wouldnt it be great to see a new Halo Pre Pro!

[Peter Nielsen]

I guess I will see after CES then. wouldnt it be great to see a new Halo Pre Pro!

Probably not until CES 2008. The HDMI 1.3 chips are (AFAIK) not available yet... Maybe somebody managed to get a prototype ready for CES this year, but I'm sure Parasound won't be one of the really early adopters...

Anyway, I'm assuming that Parasound will present the JC-2 preamp on CES this year. Let's hope that we get a glimes at other goodies they have in the works too...

Peter