StormAudio ISP Evo review by Stereophile

[quattro98]

The StormAudio ISP Evo was reviewed by Kalman Rubinson for Stereophile. It's good to see a new review from Kal and I'm glad Stereophile published a review of a SOTA surround processor given the nature of the recent article on multichannel content.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/stormaudio-isp-evo-immersive-sound-preampprocessor

 

[Bulldogger]

Nice review and I enjoyed it.

 

[quattro98]

I’m looking forward to Dirac ART on other platforms. The technology seems to be a big step forwards. I liked the review focusing on sound quality.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I liked the review focusing on sound quality.

 

[quattro98]

I’m referring to the subjective descriptions of ART, rather than the processor itself. As an example: “Switching off the DL-ART correction filter, everything fades very noticeably, losing clarity and presence. Restoration evoked a sense of "now it's right."”

 

[Doodski]

@Kal Rubinson. Thank you for the wonderful and very easily read review @ Stereophile. I will do the trial period and then most likely will subscribe to the Berliner Philharmoniker for a classical music experience that I am just starting to learn about and enjoy. I was left wondering what the internals look like and dreamed of a teardown...LoL. All in all it was a very well organized and painless read of your review.

 

[Kamrooz]

@Kal Rubinson Amazing review, thank you

 

[IamJF]

I’m referring to the subjective descriptions of ART, rather than the processor itself. As an example: “Switching off the DL-ART correction filter, everything fades very noticeably, losing clarity and presence. Restoration evoked a sense of "now it's right."”

That's exactly what I always experience after good room measurements. (Neumann MA!, Dirac or manually). It sounds "right" afterwards - you can trust what you hear (more important for mixing/mastering with Neumann but nice to have at home)

 

[Vacceo]

It´s always a pleasure to read Mr. Rubinson. This device is, I think, the way forward into the future. It´s still very expensive, but I hope this type of transmission becomes more popular, also including actives that just need a hub, an RJ54 and an electric socket (basically what Genelec does). Perhaps, even a part of the device can be turned into software to buy for a PC and run from there.

 

[napfkuchen]

@Kal Rubinson:
So StormAudio allows you to adjust levels and delays manually despite Dirac? My Denon AVR grays out these options once Dirac is enabled.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

So StormAudio allows you to adjust levels and delays manually despite Dirac? My Denon AVR grays out these options once Dirac is enabled.

I did not mean to imply that the manual settings would be effective when using Dirac and, frankly, I doubt it. I was merely listing steps that one might take in setting up. I did not go back, after setting up Dirac, to see if the manual settings were still in effect (I really doubt that) or if the manual setting options were grayed-out or still available. Sorry.

 

[Myaudio]

Good to see more reviews including ART.

I am running ART and my bass is articulate, tight with a natural decay and the presence is just amazing.

Bass lines and kick drums just grabs hold of you with convincing sustain and energy. There's no sub and speaker it just sounds full range.

Very happy with it, but it did take a few attempts to dial it in. My first 2 runs were very good, but more tweaking and changing things really took it to the next level.

 

[IamJF]

happy with it, but it did take a few attempts to dial it in. My first 2 runs were very good, but more tweaking and changing things really took it to the next level.

Could you write a few words about your tweaking? What needed change, where do the automated procedure need help?

 

[PappaDave]

Excellent review! Any thoughts on how would it compare to Arvus H2-4D?

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Excellent review! Any thoughts on how would it compare to Arvus H2-4D?

Nope. I am not able to conjure such a comparison in my head. The Storm was much easier to set up but I hope to have the new Arvus soon....

 

[PappaDave]

Nope. I am not able to conjure such a comparison in my head. The Storm was much easier to set up but I hope to have the new Arvus soon....

Oh! Any info when they start sending the new one out?

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I am hoping soon.

 

[Jost Buergi]

@Kal Rubinson : just read this review and as others said before, and as many other reviews of yours, it’s a joy to read. All those highly technical and subjective topics and you still manage to explain them in such an understandable, no nonsense way. Like your CD-stereo vs. higher-rez mono comparison. Love it and good to have your contribution over here, too!

 

[ccapozzoli]

I was pointed to this thread because I want to upgrade my dedicated theater room to Atmos. Anthony Grimani who re-designed and calibrated my room is saying to upgrade to the Storm Evo with Power Soft Amps. I currently have a Marantz 7702 MKII with Arendal Monitor 8 for LCR and Triad surrounds.

I am trying to justify the cost of the Storm the Power Soft Amps and the addition to the DSP Grimani Atmos speakers. All this is very expensive. Not ever hearing a Storm setup, is this what I should be investing in or can I get similar performance going another route.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[quattro98]

I was pointed to this thread because I want to upgrade my dedicated theater room to Atmos. Anthony Grimani who re-designed and calibrated my room is saying to upgrade to the Storm Evo with Power Soft Amps. I currently have a Marantz 7702 MKII with Arendal Monitor 8 for LCR and Triad surrounds.

I am trying to justify the cost of the Storm the Power Soft Amps and the addition to the DSP Grimani Atmos speakers. All this is very expensive. Not ever hearing a Storm setup, is this what I should be investing in or can I get similar performance going another route.

Any help would be appreciated

How many channels is your system?

The Grimani speakers & Power Soft amps seem like a very expensive option for the Atmos position. If you are able to find someone else to work on your system, you might be able to pick more less expensive gear. Even if you want to stick with Stormaudio, this might work:

New Evo processor (digital only) - use YouTube auto-translate for subtitles.

https://www.avsforum.com/posts/64457876/

Impulsion 8 amps (single channel per speaker if you get conventional Atmos speakers): https://www.stormaudio.com/amplifiers/impulsion-8

Speakers: if surface mount, maybe Arendal since you have them and like them. If in-ceiling, various options. I like KEF, Revel, and JBL.

I'd use the savings to upgrade your surrounds and ideally move to 4 subs. Would need a DAC to feed subs if going with the digital only processor which looks like it will be much less expensive than the other models. It's not even announced yet, so we don't know what it offers.

Another option would be to pick a Denon or Marantz product with the right number of channels and stick with analog amps (class D preferred) and speakers as above.