Hyperion APR-16 AV Processor Review

[Timbo2]

Actually, the unit in question included power amplifiers (look at the speaker taps).

Ah, so it’s missing the amplifier section.

 

[welwynnick]

Where is the power transformer—in fact, where is the entire power supply circuitry?

GAN FET class D amps and presumably an SMPS too, hidden underneath the DAC and HDMI boards:

 

[motogp34]

According to Goggle these aren't for sale anywhere ??

 

[jhaider]

Regarding my last proposal—which you gave the hard no—it’s not any harder running Romex for power outlets than running Ethernet or analog power cables.

Wrong on multiple counts.

First, you assume Romex. Some of us live in cities that have codes requiring electrical to be run in conduit. And code inspection requirements for electrical that don’t exist for low voltage, etc.

Second, find a CI person who does electrical. And when you do, find one that charges the same for it as low voltage. When we did ours (3 homes. 2 cites), we always had a licensed electrician run the audio system outlets (3: tv, media cabinet, amp rack), and the CI guys wanted that done before starting the low voltage phase.

Third, you’re doubling up the wiring requirement to 15 locations (assuming 7.1.4 with 4 subs): power and signal.

Fourth, you’re making the wiring much more complex, especially if you put the audio stuff on one circuit to reduce noise/interference risks.

And that leaves aside the issue that power outlets everywhere is an eyesore.

I’m of the belief that powered monitors solve a myriad of problems present in the separate amp/speaker ecosystem.

All for powered speakers! So long as the amps are properly able to be located remotely, and not strewn about on each speaker. IMO plate amp speakers are fine for desktop or 2-channel, but more complex systems need the amps centralized and remote.

 

[welwynnick]

According to Goggle these aren't for sale anywhere ??

According to AudioControl, the APR-16 is "Now shipping", the DPR-16 is "Coming soon" and the RCV-11 is "Still in development".

 

[Billy Budapest]

Wrong on multiple counts.

First, you assume Romex. Some of us live in cities that have codes requiring electrical to be run in conduit. And code inspection requirements for electrical that don’t exist for low voltage, etc.

Second, find a CI person who does electrical. And when you do, find one that charges the same for it as low voltage. When we did ours (3 homes. 2 cites), we always had a licensed electrician run the audio system outlets (3: tv, media cabinet, amp rack), and the CI guys wanted that done before starting the low voltage phase.

Third, you’re doubling up the wiring requirement to 15 locations (assuming 7.1.4 with 4 subs): power and signal.

Fourth, you’re making the wiring much more complex, especially if you put the audio stuff on one circuit to reduce noise/interference risks.

And that leaves aside the issue that power outlets everywhere is an eyesore.



All for powered speakers! So long as the amps are properly able to be located remotely, and not strewn about on each speaker. IMO plate amp speakers are fine for desktop or 2-channel, but more complex systems need the amps centralized and remote.

Disagree on all points above. But hey, that’s what life’s for. Choices!

Finally, I am not sure what you mean by “plate amp speakers,” and I think you are misusing or misunderstanding the term. I have never heard that term before except when talking about subwoofers, some of which use modular amps that are physically connected to plates that form the rear panels of the subs (hence, “plate amps”). I am talking about using powered speakers—studio monitors like Genelec and Neumann, and more lifestyle-centric speakers like Kiii and Dutch & Dutch. Those don’t employ “plate amps.”

So let me get this right, when you say “plate amp speakers,” what you really mean are Kii, Dutch & Dutch, Genelec, and Neumann?

 

[Jon AA]

First, you assume Romex. Some of us live in cities that have codes requiring electrical to be run in conduit. And code inspection requirements for electrical that don’t exist for low voltage, etc....

I'll add to that the popularity of in-wall speakers, even for high end systems these days. Code requirements in many locations simply make powered in-wall speakers an impossibility. There's a reason all in-wall (even high end, even subwoofers) are all passive.

 

[jhaider]

Disagree on all points above. But hey, that’s what life’s for. Choices!

One can’t sensibly or reasonably disagree on facts. Points 1-4 above are facts.

For example, if you read this as opinion, you need to recalibrate yourself: “you’re doubling up the wiring requirement to 15 locations (assuming 7.1.4 with 4 subs): power and signal.”

The only opinion is that having electrical outlets all over the place is an eyesore. (Ok, the characterization of the undisputable additional complexity of running power and signal to each speaker, compared to just speaker wires as “much” more complex is opinion too.)

Finally, I am not sure what you mean by “plate amp speakers,” and I think you are misusing or misunderstanding the term.

You are being unreasonably and obstinately narrow for no reason about a clear and obvious term used appropriately.

I am talking about using powered speakers—studio monitors like Genelec and Neumann, and more lifestyle-centric speakers like Kiii and Dutch & Dutch. Those don’t employ “plate amps.”

Have you even seen a Neumann or Genelec speaker? My KH 80 DSP and KH 120 II meet even your unreasonably narrow definition of “plate amp speaker,” as does KH 310.

KH 420 is capable of being a plate amp speaker or having its amp removed and remote mounted. Sigberg and Ascilabs for example use Hypex amp products sold and marketed as “plate amps.”

If you want to be a pedantic prick about semantics, ok, Dutch&Dutch and and some others that mount the amp on a plate on the bottom of the speaker or whatever. But the concept is the same.

If one were to extend your pedantry similarly unreasonably and stupidly to your preferred term, all “speakers” except for gramophone horns or whatever are technically “powered,” because they require amplifier circuits to function as intended.

So let me get this right, when you say “plate amp speakers,” what you really mean are Kii, Dutch & Dutch, Genelec, and Neumann?

Any sensible person would have understood my meaning as such, yes, with exceptions of speakers from those brands that do not take signal and power at the speaker cabinet, or have removable amps that can be remote mounted such as KH 420.

In any event, it seems we agree that 2 channel Dante, as (allegedly only currently) offered on this particular AVP, is a check-the-box feature rather than anything with real utility. That said, it would be interesting to see the Dante connection tested to confirm implementation. Some (e.g. JBL SDP-3x/5x) were apparently pretty buggy. Not sure @amirm has that capability though.

 

[m8o]

Why is HDMI audio perfection so ellusive to most every manufacturer?

 

[welwynnick]

Why is HDMI audio perfection so ellusive to most every manufacturer?

Because, in addition to jitter (which is largely overcome now) the noise and interference of high speed digital video ALWAYS degrades audio to a greater or lesser extent.

To illustrate this, the only exception is HDMI ARC / eARC, which was used and tested on the following DACs:
Bluesound Node Icon
Fosi Audio ZD3
Luxsin X9 Smart Stereo DAC & Preamp

For each of those devices, the FFT performance was same with ARC and USB. Their HDMI connection is a video output and ARC input, but since they have no HDMI video input, the only incoming digital signal is ARC "backwards" down HDMI. Therefore despite having an HDMI connection, they never have any incoming digital video signals at all.

This is one reason why I think an AVP running on eARC from a TV or switch is a good idea.

 

[Billy Budapest]

One can’t sensibly or reasonably disagree on facts. Points 1-4 above are facts.

Of course one can. And I do. That’s how I make my living (I am a litigator)

 

[jhaider]

Of course one can. And I do. That’s how I make my living (I am a litigator)

A “face on the side of a bus” type?

Speaking as a fellow litigator, gaslighting doesn’t generally get one very far with judges or juries. Being able to use the facts to demonstrate why your client’s position should carry the day is a more fruitful approach.

 

[Fidji]

Using the tables in the appendix, I would categorize it between level 2 and level 3. It has the required number of non-subwoofer speakers for level 3 (13) but most of its attributes fall within the level 2 parameters. That’s eyeballing/estimating as I have not conducted measurements where indicated in the appendix.

Rule of thumb [as one calibrator told me] - LVL4 - $0.5M+, LVL3 - better than commercial theatre [both are former “reference level”]. LVL2 would be top grade enthusiast living room setup and LVL1 everything else, able tp convey “basic artistic intent”.

And this processor ids LVL3 price and positioning with LVL2 features/performance. And you have better alternative for both scenarios, either in “more capable” or “cheaper with same features”. No unique features [except of HDMI done properly?]. And too few channels ;-).

No great loss. The only real use case for a residential Dante implementation is distributed audio across multiple rooms (or perhaps from a home to a guest house or pool house), and that can be handled more effectively through a wireless networking protocol like Sonos, Airplay, etc., or through Ethernet via Roon. Dante is definitely useful for IP transmission of distributed audio in a commercial setting but there are better, more robust, and more user-friendly options for residential implementations, in my opinion.

Don’t let your lack of experience curb your imagination. It’s the opposite - Audio over IP [e.g Dante] is right now the best solution for audio distribution for high performance residential projects. Think of it as professional, reliable, low latency, better Bluetooth/AirPlay.

As I have mentioned several times, I am deep in the process of acquiring real estate for early retirement and in advanced project phase for new HT, stereo and overall “music and lights” - 8 “zones” [speaker sets] and two Trinnov Altitude CIs will allow me to process two signals in parallel and address any combination of zones. And you can have 2 speaker sets in one room if you want to or whatever. Is also easy to integrate with existing setups - with adapters like these - https://www.getdante.com/products/adapters/dante-avio-adapters/

Imagine watching sports with friends on both TV in living room and projector outside - you will employ zone “garden, living room, kitchen, small HT” and in “master HT” children will be watching latest Disney flick. Or you can have several sets of stereo speakers in one room and switch between them without a hassle. And in such setup, you can easily even bypass trinnov and go directly ROON -> speakers route.

 

[Sam Ash]

16 channels is not enough for system with 8k USD processor, in my opinion. 9.x.4 is a minimum for immersive setup, so unless you invest into separate sub controllers you end up with 3 subs, which is also suboptimal.

@Fidji - That is a good point you've made considering the fact that ART would want control over each individual driver for optimal end-results. The question here is, can the APR-16 be expanded into 17 channels via a future firmware update to enable a 9.4.4 analogue configuration?

The digital version of the processor is limited to 16 channels of decoding, is it possible to raise this to 32 channels of decoding via a firmware upgrade provided it has the hardware to handle it?

An expansion unit that can plug into the APR-16 to offer additional channels and decoding ability would be very nice.

 

[Cbdb2]

Of course one can. And I do. That’s how I make my living (I am a litigator)

Your still wrong. Your not arguing the facts, your trying to blur them with unrelated points (plate amps, which your also wrong about). Running power to monitors all around your room is costly, unnecessary, and inconvenient.

 

[welwynnick]

Your still wrong.

So are you.
You should have written "You're still wrong".
This one-upmanship nonsense could go on forever, couldn't it?
How about we just talk about the Hyperion for a change?

 

[Descartes]

Will keep my Anthem AVM90

 

[W2APS]

For reference AudioControl have used Noctua fans in all their units where they need them since the Bijou product line. Their hardware engineers are massive nerds so fully appreciate choosing the best option. There are no fans in the APR-16. It's a fairly sparce device in terms of volume usage due to the form factor needed for all the back panel connections needed. The DSP board has a TI Sitara chip and there's a pair of headers on the mainboard next to it that says INSTALL STREAMING MODULE HERE, so some future hardware expansion prepared.

Dante wise I believe it's all done in software rather than a potentially limiting hardware chip and will be 16 channel output with a later firmware update. I suspect this will coincide with the DPR-16 becoming available as obviously it's somewhat core to that product and they'll have the same DSP/ARM/processing internals.

 

[peng]

Will keep my Anthem AVM90

Haha, the AVM90 is great, but if you believe in even half of what people say about ART, especially Mr. Robinson's review on the Denon AVR-X3900H (not about the Denon hardware, but about the ART performance part only), you might change you reconsider.

I usually only watch his reviews if I get bored and want to watch something entertaining, but his comments on ART seems consistent with most, probably all ASR ART user.

 

[rhale64]

That's why I sold my Anthem AVM90 and pre-order one of these. I am still waiting for mine. So I can't comment on it.