Pre/pro gear evolution is far from complete. The entire home theater experience is still rapidly developing, and will remain in a constant state of flux until the steady stream of advanced video scaling, auto room acoustics correction, number of channels required, and signal delivery reach a point of stabilizing. This doesn't even touch on the movie makers constant barrage of code and resolutiuon upgrading, and content control encryption. Until the dust settles, the pre/pro gear you buy today will begin to be obsolete on the drive home from the store.

If you want the best that is available today, then jump on board. If not, then stand on the side lines and watch everyone else enjoy what they are willing to commit to today. Nothing is forever, and a state of the art pre/pro's life is less than two years, tops! This is not new news.

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Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

They DO lose a lot of value -- a quick peek at A-gon will prove that plus even McIntosh does not want MX's back using a trade-in program such as for their amps and pre-amps which hold better value.

Unless the MX150 is really (REALLY) exceptional, it would appear that with the street price of a Denon AVP, the AVP probably is a much better value and the AVP has been proven for a year.

MikeSp

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MX150, MC501's (3), MC352's (2), Aerial Acoustics Model 9's for mains, Aerial Acoustics CC5 for center, and Def Tech surrounds, JL Audio F113's (2), 60 inch Pioneer Kuro, Tivos, Monster HTPS 7000MKII, Oppo BDP-83SE, PS3; dedicated HT still under construction [system used primarily for movies].

Mike.......I think that once the MX150 is in dealer showrooms, there will be keen interest in it, and many high-end systems built around it, despite the price, and leading edge life expectancy. There are a lot of dyed in the wool Mac fans waiting.

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Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

Who else here is using the Denon AVP-1HD processor?

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Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

When the MX150 comes out, it should be at a point where it's basically 100% up to date with the latest standards, at least for what I'm seeking. HDMI 1.3a, room correction, etc. It should have a relatively long production run since there doesn't seem to be any new earth-shattering A/V standards on the horizon. Of course, if I'm missing something here please chime in. I also write that as someone who uses my system for music 90% of the time, and regards the multi-channel and video aspects of the system as rounding out the core stereo capabilities.

The Blu-Ray and HD standards are relatively new, so their life cycles (1080p HD standard more than the medium of Blu-Ray itself) have years to play out. As much as I'm a fan of innovation and progress, it's likely these standards will be in place for a long time. They are high-quality, and when you look at the phenomenon of iPod/iTunes/MP3, the case for incremental quality increases, and interconnect improvements is more a case of decreasing returns than ever. Contrary to this is the industry's need for a new format, interconnect, or standard, etc. to make your current gear obsolete.

Maybe in 20 years I'll laugh at this post for being unimaginative, but I certainly expect to still be listening to my 501s and B&Ws at the very least.

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B&W 802D(2) B&W HTMD2 B&W 803D(2) B&W ASW825 McIntosh MC501(3) MC402 MX-136 MVP-871 Benchmark DAC1 Apple Mac Mini Rega P3-24 RGPC 400 pro WireWorld interconnects

Paul........You made some good points. If AA is still on the Internet in 20 years, searching for that post to re-read and laugh at will be a serious effort.

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Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

Me.

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My HT Video Attempt

McIntosh MC501(x2), MC205, MCD500: Denon AVP-A1HDCI: JL Audio Fathom f113(x2) PS Audio PPP(x2) Martin Logan Prodigy(Mains), Theater(Center),4 Scripts(Sides & rears): JVC DLA-HD950 Projector: Stewart Firehawk G3: Oppo BDP-93: Wireworld Silver Eclipse Speaker Cable

Jeff.......Is the Denon AVP-1HD all that it's claimed to be? How's the room correction function perform for you in your room?

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Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

Hi Dan.

The AVP is, for lack of a better adjective, awesome. I've had several different pre/pros over the years. From two different Krells, to several Lexicons going all the way back to their DC-1 and most recently to their MC-12B. The mighty AVP smokes them all. Yes, I admit I'm a tad biased. But just a tad.

I've owned the AVP almost since it's release. In fact, I just celebrated my 1 year anniversary. Whoo-hoo!

The AVP is a fully balanced design that supports all the new audio codecs. Let me tell you, DTS-HD MA rocks! Also, Denon has been very good about releasing firmware updates when needed. Great customer support I might add.

The AVP uses the Audyssey room correction software. I use a mic stand instead of a tripod so there's no contact with my furniture or any other surface that might throw off the calibration. It sounds fantastic.

Two caveats. There's a slight learning curve involved with AVP. It's quite a complex piece of gear. And the manual could have been written better. But besides that, I'm quite happy.

To sum it up, there's a whole AVP owners thread on a different forum, and every owner raves about this pre/pro. Which is quite rare, and tells you how well thought out and designed this pre/pro was.

Just my .02.

Jeff.

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My HT Video Attempt

McIntosh MC501(x2), MC205, MCD500: Denon AVP-A1HDCI: JL Audio Fathom f113(x2) PS Audio PPP(x2) Martin Logan Prodigy(Mains), Theater(Center),4 Scripts(Sides & rears): JVC DLA-HD950 Projector: Stewart Firehawk G3: Oppo BDP-93: Wireworld Silver Eclipse Speaker Cable

Jeff.......Thanks. The Denon AVP-1HD is the only pre/prosesser to gain my curiousity in the past year. I have been using a Yamaha 7.1 receiver for the past 3 years in my home theater, and have been thinking it might be time to test drive the Denon AVP-1HD. I was interested in it a year ago, but always give complex gear like the Denon some time in the marketplace to watch for glitches and bugs to surface. The Denon has been getting rave reviews.

__________________
Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.