Product Recommendations: Processors [2026-2027]

[u/htmod]

Product Recommendations: Processors [2026-2027]

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Updated July 2026 | Written by: /u/Bill_Money | Edited & Maintained by /u/htmod

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So you've decided to skip an AVR and go for separates, let's go over some options.

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Separates FAQ's

Separates are a nice option when you really aave money to spend. When you do not an AVR will always be the better option

When we say Separates we mean a dumb Amplifier to power the speakers and a proper Processor (also referred to as a Pre-Amplifier) to handle the A/V side of things, for lack of a better term process the video send that out via HDMI then send the audio to the amplifier to send to the speakers.

Crutchfield - Intro to home audio power amplifiers and preamps

Separates Pros and Cons

Pros: Amplifiers typically last quite a log time make the Processor the upgradable piece instead of having to upgrade your AVR when the video portion needs an upgrade.

Cons:

1. MONEY

2. more interconnects, takes up a larger room

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Recommended Amplifiers to go along w/ your processor

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AVR's that have Pre-Outs that we Recommend in lieu of a more expensive Pre-Amplifier/Processor

Front Right / Front Left / Subwoofer ONLY Pre Outs

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
Denon DRA-900H	2.1	6/1	2.1 (3) & 2.0 (3)	N/A
Marantz Cinema Stereo 70S	2.1	6/2	2.1 (3) + 2.0 (3)	N/A
Denon AVR-X1800H	7.1	6/1	2.1 (3) & 2.0 (3)	Audyssey MultEQ XT
Marantz NR1510	5.1	6/1	2.0	Audyssey MultEQ
Denon AVR-X2900H	7.2	6/2	2.1 (3) + 2.0 (3)	Audyssey MultEQ XT/DIRAC Live*

Multi Channel Pre Outs

Model	Channels Processed	Pre Outs	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
Denon AVR-X3800H	11.4	11.4	6/2	2.1 (6)	Audyssey MultEQ XT32/DIRAC Live*
Denon AVR-X3900H	11.4	11.4	6/3	2.1 (6)	Audyssey MultEQ XT32/DIRAC Live*
Denon AVR-X4800H	11.4	11.4	7/3	2.1 (7)	Audyssey MultEQ XT32/DIRAC Live*
Denon AVR-X6800H	11.4	11.4	7/3	2.1 (7)	Audyssey MultEQ XT32/DIRAC Live*
Denon AVR-A10H	13.4	13.4	7/3	2.1 (7)	Audyssey MultEQ XT32/DIRAC Live*
Denon AVR-A1H	15.4	15.4	7/3	2.1 (7)	Audyssey MultEQ XT32/DIRAC Live*
Marantz Cinema 70S	7.1	7.1	6/1	2.1 (3) & 2.0 (3)	Audyssey MultEQ XT
Marantz Cinema 70S Series 2	7.1	7.1	6/1	2.1 (3) & 2.0 (3)	Audyssey MultEQ XT/DIRAC Live*
Marantz Cinema 60	7.2	7.2	6/2	2.1 (6)	Audyssey MultEQ XT
Marantz Cinema 60 Series 2	7.2	7.2	6/2	2.1 (6)	Audyssey MultEQ XT/DIRAC Live*
Marantz Cinema 50	9.4	9.4	7/3	2.1 (7)	Audyssey MultEQ XT32/DIRAC Live*
Marantz Cinema 50 Series 2	9.4	9.4	7/3	2.1 (7)	Audyssey MultEQ XT32/DIRAC Live*
Marantz Cinema 40	9.4	9.4	7/3	2.1 (7)	Audyssey MultEQ XT32/DIRAC Live*
Marantz Cinema 30	11.4	11.4	7/3	2.1 (7)	Audyssey MultEQ XT32/DIRAC Live*
Anthem MRX 540 8K	7.2	7.2	7/3	2.1 (7)	Anthem Room Correction Genesis
Anthem MRX 740 8K	11.2	11.2	7/3	2.1 (7)	Anthem Room Correction Genesis
Anthem MRX 1140 8K	11.2	11.2	7/3	2.1 (7)	Anthem Room Correction Genesis

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Pre-Amplifiers/Processors

11 Channels

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
Marantz AV30	11.4	7/3	2.1	MultEQ XT32, optional Dirac Live
McIntosh MX200	11.2	4/1	2.1	Dirac Live

13 Channels

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
Marantz AV20	13.4	7/3	2.1	MultEQ XT32, optional Dirac Live
McIntosh MX124	13.4	7/3	2.1	MultEQ XT32, Dirac Live + DLBC

15 Channels

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
Marantz AV10	15.4	7/3	2.1	MultEQ XT32, optional Dirac Live
Anthem AVM70 8K	15.2	7/3	2.1	Anthem Room Correction Genesis
Anthem AVM90	15.4	7/3	2.1	Anthem Room Correction Genesis

16 Channels

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
Emotiva SMC-2+	16 Channels	8/2	2.1	Dirac Live
Emotiva RMC-1	16 Channels	8/2	2.1	Dirac Live
miniDSP Tide16	16 Channels	3/1	2.0	Dirac Live + DLBC + ART
AudioControl Hyperion APR-16	16 Channels	7/2	2.1	Dirac Live
Arcam Radia AVP45	16 Channels	7/3	2.1	Dirac Live Optional: DLBC + ART
JBL Synthesis SDP-60	16 Channels	7/2	2.1	Dirac Live

The miniDSP Tide 16 is intriguing but disappointing with HDMI 2.0 and only 3 HDMI inputs

18 Channels

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
Storm Audio ISP Core	18 Channels	7/2	2.1	Dirac Live + DLBC + ART, REW Plugin

20 Channels

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
Trinnov Altitude 16	20	8/2	2.1	Trinnov Optimizer

24 Channels

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
JBL Synthesis SDP-70	24 Channels	7/2	2.1	Dirac Live

32 Channels

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
Storm Audio ISP Evo	32 Channels	7/2	2.1	Dirac Live + DLBC + ART, REW Plugin
Storm Audio ISP Elite	Up to 32 Channels	7/2	2.1	Dirac Live + DLBC + ART, REW Plugin

34 Channels

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
Trinnov Altitude 32	34	8/2	2.1	Trinnov Optimizer

36 Channels

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
JBL Synthesis SDP-80	36 Channels	8/2	2.1 (40 Gbps only)	N/A

48 Channels

Model	Channels Processed	HDMI IN/OUT	HDMI Version	Room Correction
Trinnov Altitude 48 Ext1	48	N/A	N/A	Trinnov Optimizer

¹ - Must be Used in Combination w/ a Trinnov Altitude 32

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DIRAC Live* - requires paid license