I thought I would revive this thread as the HTP-1 has shipped units but quickly goes out of stock.
There was significant discussion of balanced DACs and from little I understood, the DACs are differential an 1 AK4493 DAC is used for 2 channels with achieves the same 120dB SN as their single AK4490 DAC per channel in the RMC-1. There was no confirmation about the differential or dual differential architecture of the HTP-1 but I don't think it is dual-differential.
Unfortunately, performance specifications for high-end processors have largely disappeared which is absurd at these price points.
The last decent set of specs found are on the XMC-1:
Balanced Input to Balanced Output (Reference Stereo Mode):
THD: <0.0005% @ 1 kHz.
THD: < 0.002% (20 Hz to 20 kHz).
IMD: < 0.004% @ 1 kHz.
S/N ratio: > 123 dB (A weighted).
Frequency Response: 5 Hz to 80 kHz (+0 / -0.1 dB).
Crosstalk: <100 dB.
Digital Input to Balanced Analog Output (HDMI PCM):
THD: < 0.00025% @ 1 kHz.
THD: < 0.002% (20 Hz to 20 kHz).
S/N ratio (all main channels): > 110 dB (A weighted).
S/N ratio (subwoofer channels) > 100 dB (A weighted).
Analog Inputs to Analog Outputs via Digital Signal Path
(modes that include processing or bass management):
THD: <0.0007% @ 1 kHz.
THD: < 0.0007% (20 Hz to 20 kHz).
IMD: < 0.005% @ 1 kHz.
S/N ratio: > 106 dB (A weighted).
Unlike the HTP-1, this unit has an analog path for balanced and unbalanced inputs.
All S/N values are A weighted which yields the best numbers but not ideal, IMO.
The unit has S/N 123 but from the DACs it drops to 110 dB (still good) but when analog is converted to digital it drops to 106 dB.
The XMC-1 was a Momentum Data System design.
The RMC-1 is in house Emotiva design that uses the Analog Devices Griffin Lite DSP and Panasonic chips used in the Marantz AV8805.
The HTP-1, Arcam, JBL, and Audiocontrol processors are all based on the Momentum Data Systems platform(s). The HTP-1 uses the TI DSP based APM-117.
The HDMI has been simplified and does not have an OSD but utilizes an intuitive web based configuration. I should lead to improved HDMI compatibility.
The HTP-1 Dirac processes up to 48kHz and the Emotiva is not implemented and there is no specification.
Unfortunately, for Emotiva the Griffin Lite platform has no other Dirac implementation so it appears they have take a back seat to the MDS based processors. Emotiva has a lot invested here and have estranged and vocal owners so that will continue to be a problem for them. Competition is good for us. So we shall see how this falls out.
Here is the $5K'ish processor comparative thread on AVS:
www.avsforum.com
The RMC-1, which sounds excellent, sounds best in Direct mode.
Of course, I am one of the few people who still views DSP processing as a cost/benefit proposition.
I have been working closely with Emotive to remove the RMC-1 gremlins. IMO, HDMI switching (at least to my LG C9) seems on-par with the first reports for the HTP-1 (3 seconds) and Emotiva promises improvements. Some issue are reportedly due to DSD recognition over HDMI. DSD is not support by the HTP-1 which may turn out to be a good idea.
I have a shared obsession with S/N and balanced architecture expressed by @
Matthew J Poes and @
Irvrobinson so I have a dedicated path using a Benchmark LA4 for 2-channel.
- Rich
