AudioControl Avalon G4 Four-Channel Amplifier Review

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“The amp offers both balanced and unbalanced inputs; I used the latter for most of my listening. While balanced inputs can reduce potential noise pickup with exceptionally long cables, the amp was silent with my ear one foot from the speakers when using 25-foot-long unbalanced interconnects to connect my preamp-processor to the amp. There’s also a ground lift switch on the rear to eliminate ground loops, but I didn’t need it.

I used the amplifier only in conventional unbridged mode, with each channel operating independently. Several other possible modes are facilitated by additional rear-panel features. These include “Through” outputs for each channel that allow it to drive the input of any other channel (such as in bridged mode), thus eliminating Y-splitter clutter. Any channel can also be used to bi-amp speakers. There’s also a selectable Low- or High-Pass filter (both not simultaneously). These modes are all thoroughly described in the AudioControl’s refreshingly tongue-in-cheek online user manual.

 

Emotiva XPA-7 Gen 3 Amplifier Review

Focal Astral 16 AV Processor/Amplifier Review

https://www.avforums.com/reviews/focal-astral-16-av-processor-amplifier-review.16885

 

 

 

“All you need to do is plug the Astral 16 into your router, get the processor’s network address from the front display, type that into your browser and you’re good to go. The resulting screen gives you a choice of Remote or Setup, with the latter password protected. The Remote option provides all the controls you need to operate the processor and amplifier on a day-to-day basis. Conversely, the Setup option allows you to drill down into the menus, configuring and fine tuning the Focal.

The reason the Setup option is password protected becomes obvious as soon as you access it. The Astral 16 offers the kind of configuration flexibility only found on very high-end processors, and once fully set-up by a professional installer they will doubtless want to avoid any unwanted fiddling by their customer. However, if you’re a gifted amateur and want to set the Focal up yourself, you’ll have a field day playing with all the features and options.”

 

 

ANTHEM MRX-720 7.2 CHANNEL ARC GENESIS AV RECEIVER REVIEW

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“For streaming, the MRX-720 uses DTS Play-Fi, which in addition to making it Alexa compatible, enables it to stream Tidal, Pandora, Napster, Spotify, SiriusXM, iHeartRADIO, DEEZER, Internet Radio, kkbox, Juke!, Amazon Music, BBC, ESPN and NPR.

Of course, should you have a library of digital titles, DTS Play-Fi will allow you to playback FLAC, WAV, ALAC, MP3 and AAC supporting high resolution files up to 24/96.

Just like every other audio company, Anthem has also dipped its toes into the wireless/Bluetooth speaker waters1 via parent company Paradigm. The MRX-720 is compatible with Paradigm’s PW-600 and PW-800 wireless speakers.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

How To Bi-Amp Speakers With an External Amplifier

NAD M17 V2 processor review

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Dirac Live room correction, added by the AM 17 module, is combined with a new calibration microphone and software available for either Windows or MacOS. 
The implementation is identical to other manufacturers such as Arcam, taking nine measurements to produce detailed EQ graphs.

Dirac then applies target curves using supercomputer wizardry to flatten the frequencies and tighten up the impulse responses. The result is an incredibly neutral performance, with individual sonic elements clearly defined, and the overall soundfield retaining a wonderful sense of balance and cohesion.

 

 

Krell Theater 7 Amplifier $7,500 Review

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While Incredibles 2 didn’t have quite the spark that made the original movie so great, there’s no denying that the opening nine-minute sequence when The Underminer robs a bank in Metroville is a fantastic home theater demonstration. With the combined sounds of the Underminer’s tunneling machine and money vacuum, the Incredibles’ attempts to stop him, and a jazzy music background all going at once, this sequence can give any audio system a real workout. The Theater 7 maintained its composure throughout the clip, with dialogue remaining clear and fully resolved. Even without benefit of a subwoofer, the combination of the Krell amp and the Synchrony One tower speakers managed to get the walls shaking in my 14 x 16-foot theater room.

After taking into consideration “Krell watts” versus what you get with more typical power amps, 105 watts-per-channel can still be a limiting factor in some larger rooms, especially when inefficient speakers are used. Personally, I’m more of a quality over quantity kind of guy, and I’d always go for an amp like the Theater 7 over a lesser alternative with a higher power output specification. In my setup, I never felt like I was running short of juice. (Of course, if you want to have it all, Krell also offers the 7 x 200-watt Chorus 7200XD amplifier.)”

 

 

 

 

 

IOTA AVXP1 seven-channel power amplifier review

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“Viewing the same scenes using the AVR850’s built-in amplification revealed the benefits of its Class G implementation, which is essentially a hybrid of Class A and Class AB. I felt the Arcam’s own power revealed improved transparency when compared to the IOTA, thus retaining a better sense of reality. Having said that, the AVXP1 gave an excellent account of itself and the greater efficiency of Class AB obviously makes it much more affordable.

The IOTA’s performance with the AVR850 is interesting because it raises the possibility of matching the amp with Arcam’s more affordable AVR390. This includes exactly the same processing, features, and Dirac Live room EQ as the more expensive AVR850, but lacks the Class G grunt. The addition of the IOTA would likely raise the performance of the AVR390 to new heights, resulting in a tasty combo for just over three grand.”

 

 

 

 

Caavo Control Center & Universal Remote Review

ROTEL RMB 1585 5-CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER REVIEW

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“Don’t let the absence of an Atmos soundtrack on Bladerunner 2049 put you off. Its DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack has been masterfully crafted and sounds big, bold and detailed. Here the RMB-1585 produced the film’s dynamic passages with ease.

While the RMB-1585 did have a more effortless quality with the dynamics, the difference between my own Denon AVC-X8500H amps and Rotel’s RMB-1585 was less apparent. The RMB-1585 also sounded a little more ’forward’ than I am used too.

The same held true with Dunkirk’s excellent DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack. The Rotel showing that it was both firmly in control and able to drive my 4 and 6-ohm speakers with ease”