Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Expensive AVR or sweet pre-amp and discrete amp?

In setting up a home theater, I've noticed the DVD player and TV handle all the upscaling, surround sound processing and many other features that some of the expensive A/V receivers do.

So why not buy some great discrete components like the Rotel RMB-1077, 7X100 Watt discrete amplifier? Couple this with an RC-1070 and I'm set.

Seems like a Rotel driving my 80s will beat a Denon driving it any day. Plus, all those extra features will only be used once or twice to get some sound I like and then won't frequently be touched again, I'll be touching the volume.

B.O., welcome. If you're referring primarily to deinterlacing and upscaling features, you're correct that HDTVs and many players include those features and having them in a receiver wouldn't be necessary(although the receiver could at least possibly do those functions better). Whether a "sweet" receiver without those functions(but less expensive)would be an even better option that what you suggest and allow spending more on items which make a real difference(e.g. CDs and DVDs)is up to you.

Well if those features are handled by the TV or DVD player, then why purchase a Denon 4806 for instance, why not a Rotel RMB-1077 with a RSP-1068 combo. Not many bells and whistles, just sweet amplification with enough control.

I do not know about the 4806, but my 3805 was not sufficient to run my 80's to what I precieve to be acceptable levels with the 'sweetness' that I was looking for. 3805 was straining at high levels. I ended up pairing it with a stereo amp to get it to play to acceptable levels. I am now extremely happy with my setup.

If I get the choice to do it over again, I would have probably gone the separates route.