Thanks all for the great feedback, certainly seems the AVM70 (or 90) is truly the “audiophile’s” pre/pro. The Marantz AV10 also looks very interesting, but given the recent ownership changes of Marantz, very concerned about future support.
I also did consider the Denon AVRs, but with active speakers for the front/center, would be paying for amplification I would never use. Not to mention the Denon has same long-term support concern as Marantz.
So, I am quite certain I will go with the 70 or 90. Actually likely will be the 90. I realize the audio performance gain between 70 and 90 is inaudible, but plan for this pre/pro to be in my system for many years, so may as well splurge a bit for the best of the best. Also this pre/pro will replace my current dedicated 2ch DAC/preamp signal chain, so it has to provide the utmost in transparency. The AVM90 looks to provide a bit of “holy grail” capability … superb audiophile (2ch) and cinema (MCH) performance all in one box!
But a bit of a wrench in the spokes … I can obtain a Lyngdorf MP40 for a very attractive price (albeit still more expensive than the AVM90). While the the MP40 does not appear to be quite as transparent as the 90, as with 70 vs 90, close enough I suspect as to be inaudible to my ears. What really sets the Lyngdorf apart is the Room Perfect room EQ which based upon what I have read here on ASR and other forums is as good as it gets, even vs the famous Trinnov and Storm units.
Thoughts and opinions on 90 vs the MP40?
Thanks all!
The 90 is not more transparent than the AV10. The AV10 beats it in pretty much all metrics if you compared the test results here on ASR. The so called upgraded audio is based on marketing info that does not tell us what those so called/claimed better parts are. It is the same thing when Marantz claimed that have a mire musical and/or warm sound. It is all about a strategy, to create some reasons that would enhance the well understood Placebo effects or expectation bias among their fan base.
Marantz at least tell us about their volume ICs and OPA ICs, not just the DAC ICs. Anthem did ustilized a slighly better DAC but the ESS reference class dac in the AV10 is already at the extremely "transparent " level, a whopping 120 dB SINAD, vs Anthem's better IC spec'ed at 122 dB. Yet the AV10 measured a touch better, some would attribute that to implementation, that often may matter as much as or more so than the better IC can do.
As to the MP40, I have not seen comparable measurements, and not sure if Roomperfect would do better than ARCG, Audyssey and Dirac. It is not hard to do better than ARCG though, for use who don't want to spend time on post calibration manual tweaks.
On the objective side, DLBC and Audyssey with the app(s) are really good based on many actual measurements posted on forums, such as those measured with REW. For pure direct mode use, the AVM90 and the AV10 are practically equals. The AVM70 and 90 are more transparent for analog input sources, at least based on specs.
In terms of differences in transparancy between those gear, it is probably academic, because even -85 dB THD should be perceived transparent for humans, especially for those older than 40 who likely cannot hear much above 15 kHz. For those who could hear, may not perceived it as more transparent either.
EDIT: Keep in mind Anthem has been offering about 20% discount a few times a year, at USD 6,000, it becomes a lot more attractive.
), I decided to save my $4,000 (or was it more..). To me, the AVM70, now that it is finally virtually bug free is a tough AVP to beat. Objectively ARC G sucks compared to D+M's (with apps), but it is good enough for all intents and purposes subjectively, I just have to forget about curves and use my ears and imagination only. If I were to do it again, and did not have the external amps already though, I would definitely have gone with the Denon AVR-X3800H, or the X6800H if on a good sale. That's based on my very good experience with the X4400H, and obviously, the price, money saved would then go for the DLBC license plus 2 extra subs, that's where the audible sonic gain would come from anyway, at least in theory.
