The Monolith HTP-1 gives it a run for the money if you only need 16 channels including your subs. Definitely a better value if you are budget constrained. Even if you can afford the AV10, the HTP-1 with fewer channels and better speakers will sound better
Yeah. The AV10 at Accessories 4 Less pricing is compelling, but for new pricing, there is a lot you can do with that extra $3000 in a home theater. That’s why the “ best processor ever” is a hefty exaggeration. You are quickly getting into used StormAudio pricing and until the AV10 gets Dirac ART, the StormAudio’s ART support might really sound better."better speakers"? Of course will sound better.
Well, to me that's a stretch, even going by AV10's list price vs any of the StromAudio and the Trinnov gear. As to best processor, it probably is, if one only consider the price points, otherwise, to me and I suspect I lot of people who rely more on objective measurements, "really sound better" is a misnomer, as the question would be is it "really" lol.. You are one of the very few member that I know of, actually have done a lot of objective measurements, seem somehow convince that despite many detailed measurements, not just those single point SINAD or FR, SNR etc., there would still be audible difference between those SOTA like measurements. I have no idea why you could/would believe that, but I respect that 100%.
As to best processor, it probably is, if one only consider the price points, otherwise, to me and I suspect I lot of people who rely more on objective measurements, "really sound better" is a misnomer, as the question would be is it "really" lol.. You are one of the very few member that I know of, actually have done a lot of objective measurements, seem somehow convince that despite many detailed measurements, not just those single point SINAD or FR, SNR etc., there would still be audible difference between those SOTA like measurements. I have no idea why you could/would believe that, but I respect that 100%.
Lol. I am not sure either. It is because I am confused that I try to measure.
I think it’s like seeing a UFO once. I was in southern CA and definitely heard the Aurora quakes in the 90’s which, to this day, have no official answer. It was thought to be a spy plane at the time, but decades later it doesn’t seem to be true.
The closest I got was when I could ABX a high res recording and regular one using headphones. I couldn’t hear the difference, but there was an ASMR like tingle with the high res one. Comparison of digital files convinced me that they were identical files, but then we realized that the same DAC might not be outputting the same voltage or volume.
I actually don’t like ASMR tingles, but it was interesting. But the next day, I could not generate that ASMR tingle by any combination of settings!
“A study from 2022 suggests that people who experience ASMR tingles tend to be higher in neuroticism, which means being more likely to experience negative emotional states such as anxiety. Notably, ASMR appeared to reduce anxiety in those people, whereas the people who didn't get the tingles showed no difference in their anxiety before and after watching the videos”
Maybe the stress of the blind test? May all audiophiles are a bit anxious and on the spectrum of neuroticism since both objectivists and subjectivists want to know if they are getting the very most out of their gear, whatever it be EQ/FIR lengths, gain staging, speaker placement, room treatments, etc.
The only difference I could measure were ultrasonics which were well beyond the threshold of my hearing.
To be fair, you are right about pricing. I “used” StormAudio at market price is still pretty pricey. I have seen deals time to time on eBay. What I was suggesting was that since the AV10 and HTP-1 are both SOTA tier for processors and they have the same DLBC, it’s a very competitive option. The older HDMI board is a consideration though.
My advice is generally to put a eBay search alert on what you want to look for. 99.9% of the time, the new listing is spam to you, but that 0.1% a Buy it Now deal pops up, you can jump on it right away! That’s how I got my Trinnov.
But then, we all know even 60 dB SINAD could sound great/transparent, when the conditions are "right".
Well, keep in mind that some of us cannot get anything by Monolith because we live in Europe.If I were to buy the AV10 for even at 20% discounted price, it would be mainly because of the visible build quality. Other than that, I do agree there are more cost effective options, the HTP-1 is one but there are others too for sure. For so called sound quality, I am actually very satisfied with my very cheap AVR-X1800H, keep wonder if it would do >90 dB SINAD on your bench.
Oh yes, me too. I would have no issue with using it as preamp/processor and leave the build in power amps unused. It also have very visible good build quality.Well, keep in mind that some of us cannot get anything by Monolith because we live in Europe.
Other than that, I´d be super happy with a Cinema 30.
For a 24 square meter listening space, I´d even say that the Cinema 30 can handle several 4 ohm speakers quite well.
Agreed, but for those who already have the power amps and don't want to sell them.For a 24 square meter listening space, I´d even say that the Cinema 30 can handle several 4 ohm speakers quite well.
Still, I´d not mind seeing a lower channel count processor for less. I could always use the extra channels of the AV10 in zone 2 and 3.
Why not? There are lots of European HTP-1 owners.
That would be myself. Amps are part of the household and not going anywhere. Also plenty of different generations so they won't be all retiring any time soon.
Very true, D+M's typically would just work from day one aside from minor bugs that usually would get fixed via FW within months. The same cannot be said about some boutique brands.
I wish Audio Advice did a 20% discount on the AV10. This is arguably the best built processor in the world. With the economy the way things are I expect authorized retailers to sell this at a discount.
Not a single distributor in Spain or Portugal.
Better than the Anthem AVM90?
Objectively, audio quality wise, I would consider those two equal, if people listen in direct/pure direct mode without DSP. The AV10's 2-3 dB better in SINAD is better on paper but for real world use, 103 or 107 dB SINAD = transparency anyway, no one can hear such level of noise/distortions in probably 99% or HT rooms. The other 1% might hear the noise in their exceptionally quiet room, probably more like 0.01% lol.. So again, the two are practically equal in terms of bench test performance, the AV10's phono input did score a little better in frequency response based on Amir's comments.
Have we tried Obsessive Audio Compulsive Audyssey One with REW calibration process?
Just need to use what makes the biggest difference with the least effort. Personally I would use DIRAC on such an expensive avr
