The SEPARATES vs. AVR Thread

[AcuDefTechGuy]

‘Thin’ is still subjective. With all the different ways that AVR allows you to alter the lower frequencies, I have never experienced this particular negative symptom. To me it sounds like configuration is the key here. Plus an active subwoofer helps too.

I think the setup/configuration is salient.

If the EQ software doesn't have the subwoofer level high enough, I think the sound will seem "thin".

Active subwoofers helps for sure to treat thin-sound sickness.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

That is very sad. You would think replacing various boards would solve the issue since it’s probably a component somewhere on one of the boards that is causing this. Or a bad solder joint.

You would think. But how many boards?

They replaced the "$1K Audio Video Board" on my AVP. I guess if they replaced enough boards, it could have fixed the issue.

But there are a lot of circuit boards buried under layers of boards in the AVP. It's a jungle in there. I wish it were like a PC where we have just a motherboard and the rest are just the CPU, RAM, and PCI cards.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Check out this Theta Digital Casablanca Pre-pro (own by ATI). It looks kind of like a motherboard on the bottom and the rest are mainly "PCI-like Cards".

Now that's probably awesome engineering.

Compare this relatively PC-looking internal (motherboard + PC Cards) from Theta to this mess from Denon with layers and layers of circuits:

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

Check out this Theta Digital Casablanca Pre-pro (own by ATI). It looks kind of like a motherboard on the bottom and the rest are mainly "PCI-like Cards".

Now that's probably awesome engineering.

$19,995.00

Now that’s probably awesome markup.

One of the guys at Theta used to be one of the owners of Classe.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

$19,995.00

Now that’s probably awesome markup.

I'll say.

HDMI card costs $5K? Are they crazy?

The XLR cards for FL, FR, SL, SR, C, Sub1, Sub2 only costs about $2K.

The idea and engineering is awesome - main motherboard + add-on cards.

But the markup is just ludicrous.

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

I'll say.

HDMI card costs $5K? Are they crazy?

The XLR cards for FL, FR, SL, SR, C, Sub1, Sub2 only costs about $2K.

The idea and engineering is awesome - main motherboard + add-on cards.

But the markup is just ludicrous.

The device aesthetically speaking looks gorgeous. And I’m sure it’s built well too. And I really like the fact that it’s upgradable. But sadly, its out of my price range.

 

[Good4it]

Maybe Bezos or Gates needs one (or more).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Here is the inside of the DataSAT / ATI Pre-pro. Looks like there is a main motherboard on the bottom, HDMI card on the top, and probably the XLR card on the bottom. Very nice and simple looking.

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

Nice. Very nice. I just wish it matched my pre-pro budget.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Nice. Very nice. I just wish it matched my pre-pro budget.

Uh Oh, here it is. Your almost perfect pre-pro for $899 from Outlaw. Looks like there is a main board on the bottom and the HDMI card on top. Very simple.

Only bad thing is that it is in a small box (4.6"H x 11"D x 17"W). Wish they could have used a bigger box (8"H x 17"D x 17"W) for more breathing room.

Doesn't everyone know that all the high-end pre-pros come in big boxes? Does it cost a lot more to use a box 2 times the size?

But still extremely simple layout. I don't see any Ventilation holes, though.

Who needs thinking Room Correction?

$899 Outlaw 976 Pre-pro with XLR outputs.

I sent Outlaw an email asking them why they didn't use a bigger chassis for better ventilation and more high-end look.

It would be nice to see someone from Outlaw respond.

 

[Irvrobinson]

The Outlaw board quality isn't impressing me much. It looks like someone sat on the capacitor arrays.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The Outlaw board quality isn't impressing me much. It looks like someone sat on the capacitor arrays.

LOL. Yeah, why aren't they all straight, instead of looking all bent/crooked?

Wish list for Outlaw 976:
1. Bigger chassis/ventilation holes
2. STRAIGHT capacitor arrays.

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

I noticed that too (crooked capacitors). I suppose it'll still work okay, but I wonder who builds this for them? Emotiva?

Someone builds this for them and they (Outlaw) just put their name on it.

 

[panteragstk]

The Outlaw board quality isn't impressing me much. It looks like someone sat on the capacitor arrays.

It's pretty bad that they chose that photo for their demo material... I hadn't noticed that until you pointed it out. Makes me wonder how the ones they sell look internally...

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

I also noticed the caps are 85°C instead 105°C

 

[panteragstk]

LOL. Yeah, why aren't they all straight, instead of looking all bent/crooked?

Wish list for Outlaw 976:
1. Bigger chassis/ventilation holes
2. STRAIGHT capacitor arrays.

I feel like if we're going to wish we could do better...

I know you aren't in the Atmos camp, but I'd love to have 9.1.4 as an option. Not that I need it...

It'd be nice to have some sort of PEQ for independent subs. Quality bass management for any of these is a must.

 

[3db]

I'll say.

HDMI card costs $5K? Are they crazy?

The XLR cards for FL, FR, SL, SR, C, Sub1, Sub2 only costs about $2K.

The idea and engineering is awesome - main motherboard + add-on cards.

But the markup is just ludicrous.

NAD does the same thing with motherboard+add-on cards+crazy markup

 

[panteragstk]

NAD does the same thing with motherboard+add-on cards+crazy markup

Have any of these modular units ever actually gotten updated modules? I've seen these be released for years and then people that buy them get pissed because no module updates ever come out. That to me would be the perfect solution...if new modules were released. Literal future proofing.

 

[Verdinut]

$19,995.00

Now that’s probably awesome markup.

One of the guys at Theta used to be one of the owners of Classe.

You invest the $20K. With yearly earnings of only 5%, you can each year buy a new good previous year's Denon AVR with pre-outs at a good rebate, and sell cheaply or give away each following year the previous one, and that without touching a bloody cent on your $20K.

 

[Mikado463]

The Outlaw board quality isn't impressing me much. It looks like someone sat on the capacitor arrays.

Chinese built I assume ?...........