As manufacturers pack more and more features (and hopefully more power) into their audio/video receivers, it has become increasingly more difficult for retailers and custom installers to convince consumers of the merits of separate AV processor/controllers and brutish multi-channel amplifiers. Unless your loudspeaker system offers a really punishing load or your system requirements demand a solution that is truly customizable, separates are certainly a hard sell these days.
Even the best AVRs; those manufactured by Denon, Marantz, Anthem, still don’t always have the grunt to truly energize a larger living room or dedicated media room. Sherbourn Technologies builds some serious gear and is quite popular in the custom integration market and they're coming to market with a pair of products intended to reestablish the dominance of separate preamp/processors and amplifiers.
At CEDIA Expo in Indianapolis last week, Sherbourn Technologies unveiled two new components that should appeal to consumers looking for that extra bit of performance and flexibility afforded by separates. The PT-7020C4 media processor/controller and PA-7350 multi-channel power amplifier were designed with unprecedented value and performance in mind and look like ideal components for a sophisticated home theater system.
Audiophiles will be pleased to see that Sherbourn has included dual 32-bit DSP processors for handling the most advanced HD audio codecs. Balanced XLR connections are included (very important if you are going to be running very long runs to a multi-channel amplifier) and video processing is handled by a high-end Genesis/Torino scaling engine.
The reference-caliber PA-7350 multi-channel power amplifier ($4,000) is capable of pumping out more than 350 watts/8 ohms per channel (7 channels) via a Class H design that is convection cooled; which means that there are no noisy fans. The amplifier can drive even demanding 4 ohm loads and comes equipped with balanced XLR outputs and audiophile-quality input/outputs.
For more information:
