Anyone care to comment?
I have an AVR-X4300H, which has all the features I need and I'm using it exclusively as a Pre/Pro, 5.2.4.
Should I consider upgrading to the AVR-X4700H?
Test results indicate it is a better performer, but what of the listening experience as a Pre/Pro?
When listening to music, I use mine in preamp mode, as described above. It measures 97dB or better SINAD in that configuration. Whether that is an audible improvement over running it with some or all amps turned on with lower SINAD is a topic of much debate. There are plenty of "experts" claiming 80dB is all you need to overcome the noise floor in any given room and satisfy the envelope of human hearing. There are plenty of other "experts" claiming that SOTA is absolutely a valid and desirable target for even the casual non-audiophile.
In my specific use case, I can compare the 4700 in stereo direct mode with the DAC and pre integrated into my Nova 150 and level matched to 1dB with my SPL meter. I cannot definitively say I hear a difference in sound quality, nor detect a difference in dynamic range. The two devices sound very much the same to me. Because of its built-in bass management and Audyssey, the 4700 has become my default listening pathway for stereo music, as it helps with my nasty room modes and integrates my subs.
I also use the 4700 for home theater applications, where the front amps are turned off, but the other amps are driving the center and surrounds.
To be clear, my front pair are always driven by the external Nova 150 in its home theater bypass mode.
The upshot is, the 4700 in preamp mode sounds essentially the same to me as the Nova 150 when compared in like-for-like fashion, and I like it enough that I almost always use it for stereo listening. I don't know if that helps you at all.