Trinnov Altitude 16 Review (AV Processor)

[dualazmak]

I think I am going to go with one or two of the Buckeye amps. Doesn't look like there is any penalty for getting two four channel and it appears they will fit in a standard A/V rack. Does anyone have an opinion as to whether it is better to use AES3 to the Okto DAC8 to amp or Audio over IP via Dante adapter such as Audinate to the amplifier? I don't think there will be an audible difference. Just wondering what will be easier logistically. Seems the DAC8 would be very straightforward.

Just for your possible reference and interest....
Even though my PC-DSP-based multichannel setup with OKTO DAC8PRO (ref. #931 on my project thread) would seem somewhat complicated at your first glance, you will soon find the system and the signal path is/are actually "straightforward" and simple after carefully looking/understanding the total signal path diagram.

 

[zorax2]

Starting to see more Altitudes on the secondary market now. Wondering what has prompted people to sell them?

Has something else taken over the top processor crown?

Is there a new model or competitor about to launch?

Has there maybe been a change in the firmware or software that some users don't like?

Along with what was mentioned earlier, I'll bet some of the increasing used inventory is likely due to aging out or downsizing. The Altitude first came out about 20 years ago. My guess is that most owners were (and likely continue to be) 40+ years old to have the disposable income to purchase a new Altitude. From that perspective, the early purchasers are now likely in their 60s to 80s and interests, travel, special audio or theater space in a home all change.

There's nothing better out there that I can think of than the Altitude as a processor. Additionally, Trinnov has historically given every owner from day 1 free upgrades on their software.

If I'm not mistaken, prior to a unit being 5 years old, you can purchase a new extended 5-year warranty where you send your Altitude back and they do a full factory refresh. If I recall correctly, it was around $4,000 to $5,000. That's still a great deal to get the latest and greatest processor for not much more than a mainstream top of the line Denon / Marantz / etc. processor.

 

[skYfIrE]

Starting to see more Altitudes on the secondary market now. Wondering what has prompted people to sell them?

Has something else taken over the top processor crown?

Is there a new model or competitor about to launch?

Has there maybe been a change in the firmware or software that some users don't like?

As far as I know, Trinnov currently offers the most comprehensive solution on the market for managing all types of installations.
Trinnov's new range remains responsive to market demands, but the price remains a barrier that is difficult for the general public to overcome.
If you take apart any Altitude device, you will find a similar architecture that is far from costing as much as the retail price, but continuing to offer quality service to its customers represents an exorbitant cost that, again, the general public will find difficult to understand.
The key feature of these devices remains their scalability over time and their exemplary reliability.
Despite the points mentioned above, and as the owner of an Altitude 32 myself, it's also possible that one day I will sell it to stick with a stereo system.

 

[Andysu]

hot trinnov news new dolby atmos mkV coming soon , it will be the bubble of sound , techs still testing the new chip encoder/decoder dub stages , all movies be remixed again with improved quality

 

[Oddball]

hot trinnov news new dolby atmos mkV coming soon , it will be the bubble of sound , techs still testing the new chip encoder/decoder dub stages , all movies be remixed again with improved quality

View attachment 502172

Sounds very interesting. Any more details?

 

[Andysu]

Sounds very interesting. Any more details?

what much to say about dolby labs and their flawed atmos with a trinnov alt 32 , the screen channels 7 at most isn't enough and frankly outdated by many decades , nothing has improved in nearly 15 years , just a waste of time , which is why i hardly go in the THX home cinema now , studios and dolby labs are a total letdown

 

[huri87]

Hello,

I’m trying to decide which processor to buy as an upgrade from my Emotiva RMC-1L, and I’d appreciate your advice.

System overview

• Amplification: Powersoft Mezzo (direct to speakers)
• Front stage: Grimani Systems Rixos M behind the screen
• Surround/height: RBH Sound, all wall-mounted
• Room: Large living room, professionally treated (absorbers, diffusers, etc.)
• Calibration approach: I do not use processor room correction. I calibrate using REW + microphone measurements, applying corrections directly in the amps/DSP.

Options
I have the opportunity to purchase, at a similar price:

1. StormAudio ISP Core 16 (new/very recent), or
2. Trinnov Altitude 16 (7 years old, demo unit from a trusted person), with:
   • HDMI 2.1 upgrade
   • Battery replacement
   • 5-year warranty extension from Trinnov

Question
Given my setup and calibration workflow, which platform would you recommend and why?
Also, are there any specific risks or checks you would suggest for a 7-year-old Altitude 16 (even with the upgrades and extended warranty)?

 

[Golfx]

The advantage of an Altitude is how complex its capabilities are and how thoroughly it can control your speakers. You already indicated you will not need your speakers controlled and will not use any room correction. So why buy either? Storm has Dirac ART which is a complex pain to get right—so again why bother.

 

[zorax2]

I'm with @Golfx - why spend the money on either processor if you're going to strictly do all your own room correction.

I'll say that I had in the past tried everything possible that I could think of with REW to fully optimize my system and never came close to the sound quality of the Trinnov.

I have no experience with the StormAudio but I will say I love the Trinnov which was transformative for my system for both traditional stereo audio as well as for my 7.2.4 ATMOS setup.

If you're buying a Trinnov from a trusted person, I'd have no concerns at all. You may want to check your trusted person if you can demo the Trinnov for a weekend. Just do a simple automated Trinnov calibration and listen to see what you think. There is unlimited flexibility to do anything you want in terms of tweaking.

 

[Mr. Widget]

Hello,

I’m trying to decide which processor to buy as an upgrade from my Emotiva RMC-1L, and I’d appreciate your advice.

I don't think you will go wrong with either processor as an upgrade over your Emotiva.

Regarding room correction, even as recently as a few years ago I would agree with you about manually making your corrections, but both of these processors will do a better job that you can do yourself. The Storm with ART is going to be better than the older Trinnov which I assume does not have the newer Waveforming tech.

 

[Golfx]

I don't think you will go wrong with either processor as an upgrade over your Emotiva.

Regarding room correction, even as recently as a few years ago I would agree with you about manually making your corrections, but both of these processors will do a better job that you can do yourself. The Storm with ART is going to be better than the older Trinnov which I assume does not have the newer Waveforming tech.

Actually “older” trinnovs have free sequential software updates that makes them equal to new trinnovs.

 

[Mr. Widget]

Actually “older” trinnovs have free sequential software updates that makes them equal to new trinnovs.

Very cool, I did not know that... then there is only the concern that Waveforming works best when the subwoofers are laid out to work with the technology. Depending on how teh room was designed ART may still be the better option in this case.

 

[Oddball]

I

Very cool, I did not know that... then there is only the concern that Waveforming works best when the subwoofers are laid out to work with the technology. Depending on how teh room was designed ART may still be the better option in this case.

I would agree on all counts. And also add that contrary to some statements, ART is not "complex pain to get right". It's actually almost idiot proof. Out of the box with auto cal will give you 90 or more % of what it can do.

I see nothing wrong with using a double layer DSP as long as there is reason for both.

As far as Storm, as of recent Monoprice HTP-1 offers pretty much the same features in 16ch (subs included) setup at much lower price, plus some additional features. Trinnov, well this is the Trinnov thread so not much more to say out of respect.

 

[DonH56]

Very cool, I did not know that... then there is only the concern that Waveforming works best when the subwoofers are laid out to work with the technology. Depending on how teh room was designed ART may still be the better option in this case.

When I bought my SDP-75 (JBL-badged Trinnov ALtitude 32) I spoke with my dealer and a couple of owners. One has had his since the very first year and it still handles all the latest decoders and such. He did get the HDMI-2 upgrade board but everything else is original.

Waveforming works best with certain subwoofer configurations but is not a requirement. You can set up your subs just like any other system and the processor will handle them. I have been happy with my subs' integration for years and have no overwhelming need to try Waveforming. I do not know that ART is better, just different, and AFAIK much less flexible than Trinnov's correction (a mixed blessing; the Optimizer makes it very easy to use, but if you want to tweak the Trinnov's control and options can be overwhelming).

But if you are not using room correction and do not need the advanced processor features then I agree with the rest, why spend the money? Why not just stick with the Emotiva?

 

[Golfx]

I

I would agree on all counts. And also add that contrary to some statements, ART is not "complex pain to get right". It's actually almost idiot proof. Out of the box with auto cal will give you 90 or more % of what it can do.

I see nothing wrong with using a double layer DSP as long as there is reason for both.

As far as Storm, as of recent Monoprice HTP-1 offers pretty much the same features in 16ch (subs included) setup at much lower price, plus some additional features. Trinnov, well this is the Trinnov thread so not much more to say out of respect.

Gene DellaSalla and Mathew Poes spent long hours trying to get Gene’s Storm’s Dirac ART setup and never reached satisfaction.

 

[Oddball]

When I bought my SDP-75 (JBL-badged Trinnov ALtitude 32) I spoke with my dealer and a couple of owners. One has had his since the very first year and it still handles all the latest decoders and such. He did get the HDMI-2 upgrade board but everything else is original.

Waveforming works best with certain subwoofer configurations but is not a requirement. You can set up your subs just like any other system and the processor will handle them. I have been happy with my subs' integration for years and have no overwhelming need to try Waveforming. I do not know that ART is better, just different, and AFAIK much less flexible than Trinnov's correction (a mixed blessing; the Optimizer makes it very easy to use, but if you want to tweak the Trinnov's control and options can be overwhelming).

But if you are not using room correction and do not need the advanced processor features then I agree with the rest, why spend the money? Why not just stick with the Emotiva?

Well, Trinnov has many advantages over regular gear for sure, starting with a serious mic to take a sweep of the room. The rest of the crowd uses UMIC1.

What ART has done is to reduce the hardware requirements and need to tweak in that range (20-150hs) excessively. That is ART. It will just pull your speakers together based on its smart (it is) algo and make them work as a group without any traditional crossovers.

Above that, there is still same old Dirac Live that sounds better with ART as low end has been tamed, but nothing new there otherwise.

There is obviously room for multiple high end platforms and they will be chosen by people based on their preferences.

 

[Andysu]

i have extra cable and AES converters for AES output for 4 extra outputs to be used for , subs but i doubt i can be asked go behind the rack struggle to connect lead and i still not even been asked to undo the remaining 6 XLR from the stomaudio isp32 and connect to the DB25 XLR for the alt32 , to tell you the truth i don't give a damn about , dolby labs or sound mixers rubbish atmos anymore , atmos not seriously ran that format for months , fed up with lying studios , sound mixers tampering with old outdated movies for trashy , cheap fast upmixes atmos that sound disgustingly atrocious and even new atmos movies that sound like . junk , 3d audio atmos is a scam , it doesn't support below surround for speakers on the floor or , in-floor speakers , nearly 15 years of a total lie and waste of time

i doubt i use waveforming ,

 

[Dj7675]

Gene DellaSalla and Mathew Poes spent long hours trying to get Gene’s Storm’s Dirac ART setup and never reached satisfaction.

My understanding (if memory serves) is Gene had full range speakers including subs in is main speakers. I believe there are them he speaks of… Active, full range, with subs. I can see that it might be quite tricky. I know he was working on it quite a while ago. Not sure if they tried more recently or not.

RBH Sound SVTRS Active Speaker System Review

Reviewing the RBH Sound Limited Edition SVTRS active speaker system has been a transformative experience. Few consumer loudspeakers can match its dynamics, bass extension, transparency and overall fidelity.

www.audioholics.com

 

[Oddball]

i have extra cable and AES converters for AES output for 4 extra outputs to be used for , subs but i doubt i can be asked go behind the rack struggle to connect lead and i still not even been asked to undo the remaining 6 XLR from the stomaudio isp32 and connect to the DB25 XLR for the alt32 , to tell you the truth i don't give a daamn abiut , dolby labs or sound mixers rubbish atmos anymore , atmos not serisuly ran that format for months , fed up with lying studios , sound mixers tampering with old outdated movies for trashy , cheap fast upmixes atmos that sound disgustingly atrocious and even new atmos movies that sound like . junk , 3d audio atmos is a scam , it doesn't support below surround for speakers on the floor or , in-floor speakers , nearly 15 years of a total lie and waste of time

Don't get all the points but agree that Atmos mixes at large are a disappointment.

I guess they count on soundbars, but that is not how an expensive project should end. Not sure what are the going rates for serious sound studios, but sure giving them the right budget would result in way better Atmos mixes, and would still be probably dwarfed by the overall project cost. Or they just want to sell us again the remix?

 

[Andysu]

My understanding (if memory serves) is Gene had full range speakers including subs in is main speakers. I believe there are them he speaks of… Active, full range, with subs. I can see that it might be quite tricky. I know he was working on it quite a while ago. Not sure if they tried more recently or not.

RBH Sound SVTRS Active Speaker System Review

Reviewing the RBH Sound Limited Edition SVTRS active speaker system has been a transformative experience. Few consumer loudspeakers can match its dynamics, bass extension, transparency and overall fidelity.

www.audioholics.com

trinnov dumped outside his home , must have trusty neighbours