Wow. Stunned that nobody has posted on this thread yet.
As I look at this AV41 and the remainder of the "budget" Super-Processors...
Keep in mind that until further notice the Monolith HTP-1 is effectively DEAD.
Anything else remaining under $10K is the JBL Synthesis product and the woefully inept (I know of 1 (exactly) person happy with it) Emotiva RMC-1.
For the record, I have yet to see any review of the newer SDP-58 from JBL and cannot speak to its efficacy.
However, Monolith and Emotiva have shown that such a beast can exist in an affordable price point. It is, quite obviously, too early to tell what this Arcam "super-processor" can do with it's 16 channels and Dirac +Bass Control options.
Is the HDMI actually delivering on the full promise?
How are the DACs in comparison to what was considered the superior product from AKM?
How are the processing characteristics?
I know this introduction is far from an exceptional review, but it is exciting to be certain!
And for those waiting new AVRs that can deliver on the possibility of HDMI 2.1, wher is your curiosity. Last time I checked, Sound United-Masimo is MIA for two years running. Yamaha is still cleaning the bed-sheets they took a steamy dump on over a year ago...
And out of left field there is something... unexpected.
Of course, maybe its the deprivation from any good audio content lately that's got me all hot and bothered. I own it.
I hope you,
@gene, could maybe leverage a deal to get one of these AV-41s on the test bench and be first to put the details out on the street! We are hungry for some love! We miss you Gene. Please come back.