Lyngdorf MP-40 2.1 AV Processor Review

[amirm]

Peter is one of the pioneers in the field of room correction. He has literally decades of experience to bring to the table.

 

[Sokel]

Why even at this high price point AV processors cannot get linearity, output level and SINAD in the SOTA range?!? Does it depend on having in the same box the video and the audio signal? Or is it just too much to ask to see one day a Topping level audio performance? Before investing this kind of money I wonder if the video signal processing suffers from the same glitches as the audio. Great review Amir!

When Topping went for something just a tad more complex than a DAC (EX series) they gave us a 100dB SINAD.
That's the performance of my 20 yo ancient interface (E-MU 0204,102dB SINAD)
Now imagine something so complex like this one.If it weren't for the bad channel,this would be a marvel.

Nice machine.

Thanks Amir!

Edit:Link

 

[MacCali]

I think the unit maybe a dud, seems like one that is functioning correctly will provide that 106 throughout. Also as pointed out it can be software, who knows. Never heard of this unit and I’m guessing it’s new, so not surprised.

That’s a real big boy toy. Thanks to whoever sent it in and would be nice, but not expected, to measure another unit that potentially may not have this issue. Thanks again @amirm

 

[amirm]

Also as pointed out it can be software, who knows.

Software can't increase distortion that way.

 

[Tassin]

Peter is one of the pioneers in the field of room correction. He has literally decades of experience to bring to the table.

Peter stated previously that he initially was doing what Dirac is doing now: trying to achieve a "perfect" FR. But, after a while he noticed that it made all speakers sound alike. So, he changed his approach, and thus the algorithm, to adjust the FR to correct for the room and anomalies in the speaker's output. That way RoomPerfect preserves the characteristic sound of each speaker.

I guess RoomPerfect is a bit underrated. Must be that unknown is unloved.

 

[PHD]

With only 3 HDMI inputs, this AVP is virtually useless for most home theater owners... I'm currently using 5 inputs on my Denon AVR (HTPC, Apple TV, Sheild TV, Zidoo Z9X Pro, and Eversolo dmp-a6 connected via HDMI).

 

[capslock]

Well, with distortion being essentially the same with HDMI, S/PDIF and USB input, this serves to show that it is possible to get decent audio out of HDMI.

Decent is the most one can call 106 dB SINAD. At this price point, I'd still expect them to strive for 115 dB in design which is lots of much much cheaper DACs achieve these days, and most importantly to test every single unit.

 

[AudioSceptic]

This is only 15dB attenuation before Nyquist?

This is good?

I agree: this is the all-too-common filter where full attenuation is at 24 kHz, not 22!

 

[DearSX]

I think what many aren't considering is how the price, media reviews and company marketing factors into the performance equation, which makes this better than most anything costing less than $6,000. Measurements are great, but they are very objective, heed them no mind if you can appreciate how good this high end system sounds and how you can hear things other more affordable options can't probably produce.

Joking aside, the room EQ is great, HDMI options and so is the performance, but most of us can do quite a lot with $12k that tops this in many ways. I like what the company brings to the table, but have a hard time with the price of some if the items on the menu.

Thanks again for a great review and insight into these products Amirm and the member who sent it in.

 

[jbrown]

It would be interesting to compare this to the McIntosh MX180, which is basically the same hardware.

Is there a reason why we haven't we seen a single McIntosh (home) component tested? Has no one ever offered to send you one? Or is there some conflict of interest?

 

[Moonbase]

Well, with distortion being essentially the same with HDMI, S/PDIF and USB input, this serves to show that it is possible to get decent audio out of HDMI.

Decent is the most one can call 106 dB SINAD. At this price point, I'd still expect them to strive for 115 dB in design which is lots of much much cheaper DACs achieve these days, and most importantly to test every single unit.

I’m sure if that was audible they would do it. They spent the money on quality eq something that anyone can setup and hear. Agree it’s pricey but they are classed as premium products.

 

[GXAlan]

It would be interesting to compare this to the McIntosh MX180, which is basically the same hardware.

Is there a reason why we haven't we seen a single McIntosh (home) component tested? Has no one ever offered to send you one? Or is there some conflict of interest?

Cannot answer for Amir, but there is a test at Erin’s Audio Corner of some McIntosh gear. Having owned modern and vintage McIntosh gear, it’s really really hard to ship these units. Most use plywood planks at the bottom of the box which you then screw the unit down onto, and are boxed in such a way that many regular sedans cannot fit the box easily.

 

[IamJF]

Sadly distortion is higher in Channel 1 (Left) bringing their average a couple of notches lower:

That's an absolute NoGo! We need stable performance of all channels, this could indicate a technical problem or just sloppy design. (e.g. some multichannel amps/controllers have more hum on some channels - sloppy grounding and wiring)

@amirm Could you probably measure a few more channels? Just SINAD over level. Would be interesting if that's a problem with only one channel or a bunch of them.
What does the manufacturer say to this?

 

[TNT]

This is only 15dB attenuation before Nyquist?

This is good?

No.

Should be -120dB or better.

//

 

[Mikig]

It seems like a really good product to me. I would like to compare a new device like this with my Pre HT, Theta, just to understand the difference.

Of course, for me it would be wasted, since I reassembled a mini HT system but only with front and central channels.
I'm in doubt about the subwoofer, I fear the wrath of my lady, so for now I'm happy with a clean and minimal system, without too many exposed cables and too many boxes around the living room.

Thanks Amirm for the review and thanks to the user who sent the component to be reviewed.

 

[Vacceo]

Peter stated previously that he initially was doing what Dirac is doing now: trying to achieve a "perfect" FR. But, after a while he noticed that it made all speakers sound alike. So, he changed his approach, and thus the algorithm, to adjust the FR to correct for the room and anomalies in the speaker's output. That way RoomPerfect preserves the characteristic sound of each speaker.

I guess RoomPerfect is a bit underrated. Must be that unknown is unloved.

More than unknown, used in a very small and expensive set of electronics.

That's not a bad thing in itself, devices like this one shows competent engineering, but it's not a Denon or Marantz.

 

[sofrep811]

I know you can't, but I would love to see under the hood on the Lyngdorf.

 

[beefkabob]

It would be interesting to compare this to the McIntosh MX180, which is basically the same hardware.

Is there a reason why we haven't we seen a single McIntosh (home) component tested? Has no one ever offered to send you one? Or is there some conflict of interest?

You're more than welcome to purchase an overpriced piece of McIntosh gear and submit it for testing. I think that most people here realize that Mac is overpriced and then don't buy their gear.

I have some 20+ year old Mac speakers. Too heavy to ship. I know they'll perform poorly.

 

[Another_Moon]

But the USB connectors look somehow too dense and frivolous for 11K USD

 

[anphex]

Thanks to the user daring to ship 11 grand through the country .

It looks nice and performs very well, it's obviously targeted affluent people who love a mix between sparkle and actual quality - since I think you could just get a high end denon/marantz/yamaha with more features and better specs for 1/3-2/3 the price of this device.

Is this processor upgradeble by software? AVRs become quickly obsolete due to new interfaces (HDMI) or codecs (Atmos). An AV processor with a completely updatable FPGA would be a marvel. But then it would slowly just become a PC with customizable interfaces?