So, I'll ask a stupid question (not really knowing the AVP world). Why do AVP/AVRs units costing thousands of dollars have audio measurements that are noticeably below those of a cheap DAC? e.g A Topping D10S has better measurements than this unit.....let alone something like a D70.
Yes, there is a vast differentiation of features but is it asking too much to expect audio performance of an 15K AVP to be able to beat the audio measurements of a $100 DAC? There just seems to be a large gap in this marketplace waiting for someone to put out an AVP that produces objective audio measurements equal to what we are seeing in the current DAC marketplace.
Honestly, what am I missing?
Your missing DSP processing for 16 to channels on the upper tier products.
There must be additional attenuation for REQ (Dirac 10 dB) and for bass management for all channels, the more you have the smaller the speakers are likely to be.
Some vendors choose to attenuate based on channel counts, some just let it fly, possibly overdriving the subwoofer channel, some place limiters on the sub, and there may be other solutions. I suspect all DSPs are also not equally well implemented and some may have different performance on the main, center, rears, surrounds, and the rest of the channels.
Perhaps attenuation is applied for some of ASR testing. Let's assume that a processor must reserve 16 dB of attenuation for filters and bass management.
So, if starting at 100 then, you are down to 84. At common listening levels the SINAD may be down into the mid to low 80's (1 watt). Account for attenuation and SINAD could drop into the 60's. At this point,
@peng might get concerned
It is also worth understanding the market. People who hire professionals have the coin to rely on service providers to select components. Money will not be the overriding concern. The installer is looking for prestige products with good performance, ease of configuration, flexibility, and automation! The customer wants a high-end system and and a single button to push, plus volume up/down
The customer has little or no interest in performance specifications and that is why they are very hard to find on the product website and within their literature.
I am not saying that the Storm and other products are not good/great. They may have better performance when processing is engaged over less costly products.
Performance may be consistent across channels on some and not on others. We simple have no measurement data for these products with all cylinders firing.
Thanks to ASR there is a 2-channel baseline that is among the best for AVR/AVPs, was well it should be. Could it be better, sure but I don't think it matters to the target market. Of course, this may change now that there is ASR out there to provide some data. These manufactures may feel a need to preserve their reputations.
At this point, we only see the smaller manufacturers willing to send products to ASR. IMO, most manufacturers still fear there is more to lose than to gain.
- Rich
