Nick,
Yes, the consequences of that life philosophy can be 'brutal' -- to say the least. I am responsible for getting several guys -- myself included -- into serious 'nine-line-binds' by encouraging that sort of cavalier attitude! Greg (Wife, not Italian.)
Barry and Ivica,
(Barry, your " ... as yet unquantified point they begin self attracting and it's really hard to stop them from coming to you nearly on their own." nearly caused me to fall out of my chair laughing! I think I may be close.)
DSPs: The Clair is just a 'black box' to me at this point in time -- but a $1,000 'black box' nonetheless.
A quick look at the 'auction place' revealed two items that seem to be appropriate, as well as 'reasonable' in price:
1. http://www.ebay.com/itm/dbx-Driverac...item56691915e6
This one is nearly new and will probably go for $400, or so. The MSRP is $1250.
2. http://www.ebay.com/itm/DBX-481-Driv...item19f2a7ed5a
This one appeals to me a bit more -- I suppose because it cost $2500 eight years ago and looks like it comes with a bunch of cables. It uses the DbX Driveware (Whatever that is? ) and I have a spare HP Ultrabook that could easily be used with the Kingston adapter.
Any suggestions on the approach? The Clair 'Black Box' may be worth $10,000, but it may not come with the keys! The DBX-481 might fall in the 'better-the-devil-you-know' category. (Another one of my ol' geezer' mantras! )
Sound quality is everything -- I realize that is why we do all this. My main 'preamp' is an Anthem Statement D-1. I use it because it is quiet as a tomb. Will the processors be as 'clean' and have as low a 'floor'?
Finally. For reasons I can't admit without doing further damage to my already-tarnished reputation, I have two 'spare' AVM 30s -- units for which I have great regard for their audio prowess (Plus they are easy for an idiot to operate!)
'Daisy-chained' together -- D1 + AVM 30 + AVM 30 -- I would have a total of thirty (30!) outputs -- RCA or Balanced -- that can each be optimized for a certain part of the audio spectrum! Would that be an option for someone like me -- ie not-so-clever?
Thank you, everyone, for your help!
Greg