I am curious as to why Linn and Naim produced HT receivers with built in DVD players. Why not produce a conventional home theater receiver without the DVD playback included? Why not make a single box device that is optimized for multi channel audio and the owner supplies their own DVD player? Wouldn't a audio only HR receiver be better without the additional complications presented by including the DVD player?

I want to buy a home theater receiver but most of the ones I see are so physically large and have power outputs that are large (>100 wpc). I would love to buy something like a Linn or Naim HT receiver for the same reasons that I have bought their two channel stereo products. A compact HT receiver with approximately 50 wpc would work beautifully in my small environment, but these other beasts (Pioneer, Yamaha, etc.)are too darn big.

By the way I have a good Panasonic DVD player with HDMI output that I connect directly to my Sharp Aquos screen. I am looking for a receiver now.

Any thoughts on my question?

Scott

Purely speculation, but here's my guess (re the n-Vi at least).

The unit can be bought and used as a single box solution, added as a single box to an existing two channel sytem, or bought as an "all function" starter into a high end 2 channel/av system, to which more money adds quality, but functionality is all there from day one.

It all kinda makes sense to me from that point of view, so I guess I can't explain it further than that.....

Maybe AV@Naim has some comments on the philosophy... above is purely my perception.

What's more compact than one box, with one remote (there are learning remotes that cost more than a Panasonic DVD player)?

One of the advantages of the n-Vi's form factor is the integration–no need for digital interconnect between DVD player and AV processor, and the short signal paths that connect individual sections together make for better sound quality.

Ironically, the product request I've heard from people is actually the other way around–pre outs for external power amps, keeping the DVD player tightly integrated with the AV processor.

I guess it depends on who you ask.