Krell Showcase processor versus new amps

[smokefree]

I have recently bought a krell showcase processor and I cant help wondering whether the new receivers offered by onkyo, yamaha and denon would be better and more future proof compared to the krell?
Can someone help me on this?

[scotty38]

More future proof probably, but whether it's better or not will be open to no end of debate and speculation. I'd stick with it unless it cost you next to nothing or you can afford to lose money in order to carry out the experiment.....

[Peter Baker]

When I heard the Krell Showcase, I thought it a very good processor indeed. If you listen to music it will probably be far better for this than any of the new Receivers, even if they have far more bells and whistles. I also think it is likely to show them a clean opair of heels when it comes to the quality of sound on HT, tho they may have more impressive effects.

[CogPaul]

The Krell Showcase is a fine processor and it is one of the few processors I have heard that has a decent stereo pre-amp section for two channel listening.With the 7.1 analogue input you will have access to newer HD audio codecs- the only real omission is of course the HDMI video switching. I use one of the newer integrated amps as a processor (Onkyo 875) with a Krell KRC-3 pre-map for stereo duties ( as it has HT bypass) but would be very happy with a Showcase.

It really depends on your other equipment - with 2 blu ray players, 1 hd dvd, 1 standard dvd and a media box all with HDMI it was becoming a problem with too many audio and video switchers but for a simpler system the Showcase would be brilliant.

And it does sound very very good with both music and movies....BUT make sure you match it with quality amplification and speakers to get the best results.

[pras1011]

Peter: Did you not have AVP? How does this compare to the Showcase?

[Peter Baker]

I had a slight prefernece for the AVP over the Showcase, it seemed somehow more organic (I know, I know). The AVP2 is another step (some might say leap) forward. Of course it helped that I could get the Proceed AVP and AMP5 combined for the price of the Showcase alone.

[smokefree]

Thanks Peter. My priority is home cinema and I rarely listen to music. I have three hdmi sources and only one hdmi socket and I would really hate to get anymore external boxes (hdmi switcher) and another remote!! I might sell the Showcase and get the the Onkyo 905 as everyone seems to love that machince. Sound quailty though is also a massive piority and I would hate to make a possible expensive mistake by going to the Onkyo

[CogPaul]

Be careful here - I have a 875 as a processor but it really is a stop gap measure until processors with the codecs and features I want become available at a price I can afford.

I would be very very surprised if the Showcase is inferior to the Onkyo for cinema sound. I was seriously considering importing either a Showcase or a Cassablanca and living with the spaghetti of hdmi and switchers. It is not a decision I would rush. Even now I am unsure as to whether I have done the right thing as I have always preferred processors. Listen to the Onkyo and see if you think it is good enough.

Remember a lot will depend on the other components in your system.

The Proceed AVP2 would be another excellent option! (just to make it more difficult to choose)

[scotty38]

Originally Posted by smokefree

I might sell the Showcase and get the the Onkyo 905 as everyone seems to love that machince. Sound quailty though is also a massive piority and I would hate to make a possible expensive mistake by going to the Onkyo

I think everyone has said keep the Krell, so unless you want to make a mistake......

[smokefree]

No. I will keep the Krell unless a MC12 pops up somewhere for cheap!!

[Peter Baker]

Even then, I wouldn't be sure about a change. I think the Krell is better for music than the Lexicon. In the Harmon setup, it was always felt that Lexicon was thw specialist HT brand, with Levinson/Proceed the music end.