Here's one that need absolutely no introductiona and beating around the bush; The Sherbourn PT-7000 Preamplifier and its 7/2100 Seven-Channel Amplifier. The Sherbourn PT-7000 Preamplifier offers a compelling surround preamp/amp combo that separates the preamplifier and amplifier into individual components usually allowing greater engineering prowess and higher fidelity performance, while offering a more flexible upgrade path, since you can upgrade one component at a time. The Processing aspect of this is that the receivers combine a preamp/amplifier/processor into one box. The preamplifier is the system/volume controller that provides the circuitry to easily switch between audio/video sources. The processor is often included in a preamplifier to decode and convert the digital data from a DVD or CD into two or more channels of analog output. The amplifier boosts the analog signal to drive speakers, so the sound can be heard.
The advantages of this dedicated amplifier are full power to each channel, whereas the amps in most receivers share power (wattage) to the channels that need it most. A solid built power amplifier can last for many years while surround processing is advancing yearly with new standards, formats, and more speaker channels. The pre-amp usability of the PT-7000 preamp is a relatively basic looking black box with few round buttons and a digital read-out. Its rear panel connections appear the same as a receiver minus the speaker terminals. It offers 7 full-range RCA outputs and a 1 low frequency output for the subwoofer. However, it does not contain any balanced XLR outputs. It does have two component inputs for HDTV and DVD video switching. Audio inputs include four optical and two coaxial jacks for digital audio as well as the usual analog RCA audio jacks for every source. S-video and composite video (yellow jacks) pass-thru video switching is also available, but it should be noted the unit does not offer composite/s-video to component up-conversion, which greatly simplifies video switching.
Operating the preamp proved to be very straightforward. The on-screen menu simplifies setting surround delays, speaker levels, and crossover settings. To satisfy the power needs for such a beast, the 7/2100 provides two detachable power cords, which should plug directly into two wall sockets. Sherbourn utilizes two power cords to ensure that you are providing the amp with all of the power that "might" be necessary under extreme power needs. Power cord one powers channels 1, 2 , 3 & 4. Power cord two powers 5, 6 & 7.
So, if you ask me go out there and get yourself a Sherbourn PT-7000 Preamplifier, the only friggin’ way you would succeed in getting any of your self respect back, considering you in most probability own some cheap ass crap!!!
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