Trinnov Altitude 16 Review (AV Processor)

[GXAlan]

Do some of you use external dacs? Or just use the built-in one?

Trinnov Altitude 32 Review

Trinnov Altitude 32 Review and Measurements This is a review and some measurements of a Trinnov Altitude 32. This is an older unit with components that are several generations old. What makes the Altitude 32 different from the Altitude 16 is the ability to use AES/EBU digital outputs for all...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I don’t use the external DAC since the built in DACs are pretty quiet. The Altitude 16 likely has newer DACs too.

 

[Zooqu1ko]

Do some of you use external dacs? Or just use the built-in one?

Unless you have a really old Altitude and/or a really unfortunate mix of amplifier gains and loudspeaker efficiencies, I would not expect any audible improvements. That said, there have been reports that external DACs click or pop, sometimes pretty loudly when the Altitude switches sample rates. That also affected the Genelec 2029s I used as rear heights for a while, and using a logic analyzer, I was unable to find any issues with the signal coming from the Altitude, so in my opinion, it's entirely the DAC's fault. I had no such issues with a Octo DAC 8 pro.

 

[Magnus]

I'm waiting to see anyone prove with a properly matched double blind test they can hear any difference from their favored DAC of choice to one made in 1989 even.

Trying to hear a difference in the 0.1dB range let alone the more common modern 0.01dB range would be an impressive feat indeed and yet audiophiles gladly shell out $5000, even $12,000 for one and hear magical results. A $1 hit of a gummy from Michigan or Vegas would be a considerably cheaper and you might get a light show to go with it!

 

[Fidji]

FWIW - I have updated ADC/DAC boards in my Altitude 32 (at very modest cost per channel), as per Trinnov this should bring another around 6dB of SINAD [or in the ballpark]

Not claiming any magic improvements with ESS vs old Burr Brown boards [that were tested by Amir] - but the fact is, that sound was off and it required renewed calibration to get back to overall SQ that I had before the DAC change.

While I agree with most of the statements here - I work in precision manufacturing od quite complex product - and we have a thing called "tolerance stacking" - while each part is absolutely OK on its own and within spec, they do not work together if not matched properly. Same can be valid also for Trinnov based setups, that are usually much more complex that your everyday Denon HT. We also need to acknowledge, that while Altitude measures competently, it is far from being SOTA DAC, with rising distortion in higher frequencies etc.

So I can absolutely imagine a situation, where changing a DAC board can have audible effects - if you combine it with e.g. some HYPEX Ncore amp with 27dB gain [that has elevated distortion in treble too], have some specificity on your speakers, there I can see how improving DAC board can help.

 

[chrisyak]

I get the feeling that a adding say a Emm Labs DV2 or Da2 v2 would provide a much better DAC experience but tweaking it's integration and calibration may be a little more tricky then just a plug and play situation.

Using Trinnov from 2.0 channel audio system as well , you have to probably test and do some blind testing also.

 

[tbl2pts]

I just got the acurus muse + aspeqt

The Acurus Act 4 is the best processor I have heard to date however have not heard a Trinnov. I am curious if you heard the Trinnov and can comment on Acurus vs. Trinnov.

 

[GXAlan]

The Acurus Act 4 is the best processor I have heard to date however have not heard a Trinnov. I am curious if you heard the Trinnov and can comment on Acurus vs. Trinnov.

 

[Impossible]

The Acurus Act 4 is the best processor I have heard to date however have not heard a Trinnov. I am curious if you heard the Trinnov and can comment on Acurus vs. Trinnov.

I very much doubt you are hearing the processor as most have very high sinad.

What you mean is the best calibration you "liked" was on a Acurus Act 4.

FYI DIRAC has about 30 or more patents and TRINNOV has about 50. Lyngdorph has a bunch.
Any latecomers will have a hard time having better technology.

 

[GXAlan]

https://www.snapav.com/wcsstore/ExtendedSitesCatalogAssetStore/attachments/documents/Amplifiers/Cutsheets/Cut-Sheet_2021_01-ASPEQT.pdf

The Acurus setup is both clever and simple. It’s just PEQ, but they standardize with 4 mics, which allows you to more reliably average four seating positions. It doesn’t do any fancy correction in phase, or soundfield… but frequency response is the biggest bang for the buck.

Trinnov is the gold standard for cinema production and bringing it to your home really does provide stellar results. The better your room, the less important Trinnov is. There is at least one person here who went from the Trinnov to the AV10 for the cost savings since there was no difference. In contrast, there are many people, including myself, who are big fans of Trinnov.

 

[Magnus]

Even a Trinnov won't use your Front Wides on fixed object Atmos films in Atmos decoding mode. Only Neural X and Scatmos (and obviously DTS:X films on DTD:X Pro units including the Trinnov) will put them to full proper use for in-phase material between the mains and sides. I think Storm's StormXT mode may use them as well (certainly uses CH, SH and TS (VOG) in Atmos decoding mode).