I'm struggling to understand why surround sound processors cost $500-2000 dollars. Why can you get an average consumer rated surround amp for $100-$200, but not the same unit without the amplifer?
There are some really cheap, low feature units on Amazon, but reviews are not great.
We have been done lots of outdoor movies with COVID lock downs. I have enough pro audio PA gear to support a 5.1 surround in a large outdoor setting, but it looks like cost of entry for a decent surround processor is $500. Am I missing something here?