Surround Processor Versus MultiChannel Preamplifier With Source Decoding

[SurferJoe]

If your not concerned about video processing how much better is the sound coming from a high-end surround sound processor versus a good high-end blu-ray such as the upcoming Arcam or Oppo that does analog decoding into a preamplifier such as the Parasounds Halo P7? I just don't understand why a high-end company would even include audio decoding in a player if their intent is for us to go and buy a surround processor from them. I'm new and just trying to understand the real and theoretical differences. It would seem to me that a MultiChannel preamplifier would get better milage than surround processors that seem difficult to build and are slow to market.

[kennyt]

Joe,

Bass management, speaker setup and room correction are only a few of the reasons. Yes, their are very good multichannel analog preamps out there, but in order to correct for speaker placement and size differences is extremely difficult in the analog domain. This is why it is best to send the digital stream (bitstream of LPCM) to a surround processor (either receiver or pre/pro) and let all things be done in the digital domain then convert them to analog.