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!