When Can I Buy A Processor?

[ttocs]

I've been trying to find out which processors are available to purchase and am having difficulty finding many. Seems like some of the really interesting products are just not available yet. Or are they?

Trinnov Altitude¹⁶ and Altitude³² seem to be Available. I've read owner posts with virtually all being positive.
Marantz AV8805A and AV7706 are Available.
Emotiva RMC-1, RMC-1L, and XMC-2 are Available.
McIntosh MX100, MX123, MX170, Special Order, but Available.
JBL Synthesis SDP-75 and SDP-55 (baby Trinnovs) I guess are not available new anymore? Don't know, but can't find any that are new and listed by authorized dealers. Please advise if otherwise.
Marantz AV 10 Available.
Monoprice HTP-1 since January has been listed as "Backordered until December 25, 2022".
Arcam AV41  I can't find the AV41 for sale even though I'm sure it's got to be available somewhere, but the AV40 is Available.
Anthem AVM 70 Available, AVM 90 Available.
Anthem AVM 70 8K Available, Anthem AVM 90 8K not available.
Storm Audio processors are available, but through a dealer network too limited for me to consider buying from with only a dozen dealers in the USA, compared to 8 Trinnov dealers near me in my part of the state alone.
Theta Digital Casablanca V  I'm sure it's nice, but not for me.
Emotiva RMC-1+, RMC-1L+, XMC-2+ Due "Summer 2023" which could mean end of September.

With this list there aren't many processors which are in stock now, today. A few are available with a reasonable wait, others are of questionable status. And a couple are sold in a limited to very limited manner.

Are there other nifty processors to consider which are available right now, or for sure in 2023?

1. So assuming that all of the above are actually, really available in 2023 (because not all will be available this year), which would you buy?
2. And, which would you buy money no object?

1. Keep what I've got, XMC-2. (It's possible I could be interested in a G4P, but that's a steep hill to climb. Actual product that does what I want it to do, could interest me.)
2. Trinnov Altitude¹⁶

[LCSeminole]

1. I'm keeping what I've got as of now, but when available, I will be sending my RMC-1 in for the upgrades as I'd like DTS:X Pro and IMAX enhanced. I also want HDMI 2.1, mainly for the possibility of future 4K@120 streaming which my Sony OLED can take advantage.

2. Trinnov Altitude 16/32 highly intrigues me but I'd have buy a winning PowerBall or Florida MegaMillions ticket for the disposable income as I'm not spending five figures for a home theater processor.

[405x5]

Oct 11, 2022 19:09:29 GMT -5 ttocs said:

I've been trying to find out which processors are available to purchase and am having difficulty finding many. Seems like some of the really interesting products are just not available yet. Or are they?

Trinnov Altitude¹⁶ and Altitude³² seem to be Available. I've read owner posts with virtually all being positive.
Marantz AV8805A and AV7706 are In Stock.
Emotiva RMC-1, RMC-1L, and XMC-2 are In Stock.
McIntosh MX100, MX123, MX170, Special Order, but Available.
JBL Synthesis SDP-75 and SDP-55 (baby Trinnovs) I guess are not available new anymore? Don't know, but can't find any that are new and listed by authorized dealers. Please advise if otherwise.
Marantz AV 10 is "Coming Soon", but I just read the post by LCSeminole that it's due Q3/2023.
Monoprice HTP-1 since January has been listed as "Backordered until December 25, 2022".
Arcam AV41  I can't find the AV41 for sale even though I'm sure it's got to be available somewhere, but the AV40 is In Stock.
Anthem AVM 70, AVM 90 not sure about availability.
Anthem AVM 70 8K not available.
Storm Audio processors are available, but through a dealer network too limited for me to consider buying from with only a dozen dealers in the USA, compared to 8 Trinnov dealers near me in my part of the state alone.
Theta Digital Casablanca V  I'm sure it's nice, but not for me.
Emotiva G4P not available until "Summer 2023" which could mean end of September.

With this list there aren't many processors which are in stock now, today. A few are available with a reasonable wait, others are of questionable status. And a couple are sold in a limited to very limited manner.

Are there other nifty processors to consider which are available right now, or for sure in 2023?

1. So assuming that all of the above are actually, really available in 2023 (because not all will be available this year), which would you buy?
2. And, which would you buy money no object?

1. Keep what I've got, XMC-2. (It's possible I could be interested in a G4P, but that's a steep hill to climb. Actual product that does what I want it to do, could interest me.)
2. Trinnov Altitude¹⁶

I keep what I’ve got….The XMC1.
I am….(or was) on the upgrade HDMI board waiting list…..that dropped off the “radar”. Anyone know what happened??

My reason is quite simple. The XMC remains to this day at the top of the heap of high end processors that is free of ATMOS channels. That’s a lot of technology for someone who will never use it to be carrying around like luggage 🧳.
Not an ATMOS diss; no not at all, however it is frustrating to have to take on board something that is useless to me.
I would love to see all object based audio capabilities be MODULAR and core surround processing be primary. It’s tough enough that the processor has the charge of being all things customized to every end user. No small wonder the competitive field is relatively small with the same players for quite some time now.

[KeithL]

I'm inclined to agree with your comment... at least philosophically.
And, when it comes to something like buying a surround sound processor, then using it to play stereo content, it is in fact really still true.

However, when it comes to things like the difference between 5.1 or 7.1 channels and Atmos, the reality is somewhat different than you might think.
There is always a significant incremental cost in terms of design and development going forward...
But, to a large degree, that's a one way trip...

So, for example, we spent a lot of money designing the XMC-2 to support more channels and more powerful processing than the XMC-1.
And this was necessary in order to offer a product that the majority of our customers want.
But you cannot go backwards.
Let's just say we were to consider offering "a 7.1 channel XMC-2"...
What we would end up doing would be to leave out the DACs and analog output circuitry for the extra channels.
This would save a few dollars in terms of parts count, manufacturing, and testing.
But we would probably use the same circuit boards...
(because it's cheaper to make more of one board, and just not populate all the chips, than to design two different boards, and make fewer of each).
And, if we could even license "all of the Dolby decoding code except Atmos", the cost difference would be trivial.
And, likewise, it wouldn't pay to create a second design, using a different and slightly less powerful processor...
(because the extra design cost would be far more than the few dollars we'd save on a slightly lower cost less powerful processor).
And we would still have to stock and keep track of two different units instead of one.
And, if we were to offer a simpler menu, and remove the extra menu items, that would take more work, and in the end we'd have to keep track of two different sets of code.

This is the reason why "newer products get more features" and "if you don't want all those features your best deal is going to be last year's model"...
(Because last year's model was designed and built before those features were added rather than with those features omitted or removed.)

And, in this particular case, there are little details...
Like the fact that the XMC-2 uses the latest version of Dirac Live (while the XMC-1 used the older "outdated" version).

Processors are a VERY complex product...
And they take a lot of work to bring to market...
And, yes, many of the very expensive models only sell enough units to support a few dealers...
To be quite blunt, if you see dozens of those units sitting in stores as "demo models", the cost to keep the lights on in those stores is included in the ticket price of the unit you buy.
(But, with Emotiva, since you're buying direct from us - at least here in the USA - you don't have to worry about that.) 

Oct 12, 2022 8:08:17 GMT -5 405x5 said:

Oct 11, 2022 19:09:29 GMT -5 ttocs said:

I've been trying to find out which processors are available to purchase and am having difficulty finding many. Seems like some of the really interesting products are just not available yet. Or are they?

Trinnov Altitude¹⁶ and Altitude³² seem to be Available. I've read owner posts with virtually all being positive.
Marantz AV8805A and AV7706 are In Stock.
Emotiva RMC-1, RMC-1L, and XMC-2 are In Stock.
McIntosh MX100, MX123, MX170, Special Order, but Available.
JBL Synthesis SDP-75 and SDP-55 (baby Trinnovs) I guess are not available new anymore? Don't know, but can't find any that are new and listed by authorized dealers. Please advise if otherwise.
Marantz AV 10 is "Coming Soon", but I just read the post by LCSeminole that it's due Q3/2023.
Monoprice HTP-1 since January has been listed as "Backordered until December 25, 2022".
Arcam AV41  I can't find the AV41 for sale even though I'm sure it's got to be available somewhere, but the AV40 is In Stock.
Anthem AVM 70, AVM 90 not sure about availability.
Anthem AVM 70 8K not available.
Storm Audio processors are available, but through a dealer network too limited for me to consider buying from with only a dozen dealers in the USA, compared to 8 Trinnov dealers near me in my part of the state alone.
Theta Digital Casablanca V  I'm sure it's nice, but not for me.
Emotiva G4P not available until "Summer 2023" which could mean end of September.

With this list there aren't many processors which are in stock now, today. A few are available with a reasonable wait, others are of questionable status. And a couple are sold in a limited to very limited manner.

Are there other nifty processors to consider which are available right now, or for sure in 2023?

1. So assuming that all of the above are actually, really available in 2023 (because not all will be available this year), which would you buy?
2. And, which would you buy money no object?

1. Keep what I've got, XMC-2. (It's possible I could be interested in a G4P, but that's a steep hill to climb. Actual product that does what I want it to do, could interest me.)
2. Trinnov Altitude¹⁶

I keep what I’ve got….The XMC1.
I am….(or was) on the upgrade HDMI board waiting list…..that dropped off the “radar”. Anyone know what happened??

My reason is quite simple. The XMC remains to this day at the top of the heap of high end processors that is free of ATMOS channels. That’s a lot of technology for someone who will never use it to be carrying around like luggage 🧳.
Not an ATMOS diss; no not at all, however it is frustrating to have to take on board something that is useless to me.
I would love to see all object based audio capabilities be MODULAR and core surround processing be primary. It’s tough enough that the processor has the charge of being all things customized to every end user. No small wonder the competitive field is relatively small with the same players for quite some time now.

[ttocs]

Hair Nick just posted some target pricing for the G4P units, so I updated the OP with the new names of the processors. The target date is really no different from what Marantz is now aiming for with their AV 10.

I'm sure a lot of the target dates will move, possibly multiple times, for all the unreleased products.

[repeetavx]

There aren't many, but there would be a few of us that would jump on an audiophile centered pre/pro with 7.1 home theater "capabilities". (1080p).

Most of us wouldn't be interested in listening to an A.I. manufactured sound altering algorithm. Just a full implementation of parametrics to be able to compensate for speaker quirks and room modes.

[AudioHTIT]

Oct 12, 2022 20:49:46 GMT -5 repeetavx said:

There aren't many, but there would be a few of us that would jump on an audiophile centered pre/pro with 7.1 home theater "capabilities". (1080p).

Most of us wouldn't be interested in listening to an A.I. manufactured sound altering algorithm. Just a full implementation of parametrics to be able to compensate for speaker quirks and room modes.

Wouldn’t that be called an XMC-1, granted it had Dirac, but also parametrics. Those who have them will likely be using them for years to come. There’s one in the Emporium now.

[repeetavx]

Oct 12, 2022 21:57:22 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

Wouldn’t that be called an XMC-1, granted it had Dirac, but also parametrics. Those who have them will likely be using them for years to come. There’s one in the Emporium now.

Yup, and I'm thoroughly enjoying mine. I do pray that it lasts the rest of my life. We'll see won't we.

[405x5]

Oct 12, 2022 21:57:22 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

Oct 12, 2022 20:49:46 GMT -5 repeetavx said:

There aren't many, but there would be a few of us that would jump on an audiophile centered pre/pro with 7.1 home theater "capabilities". (1080p).

Most of us wouldn't be interested in listening to an A.I. manufactured sound altering algorithm. Just a full implementation of parametrics to be able to compensate for speaker quirks and room modes.

Wouldn’t that be called an XMC-1, granted it had Dirac, but also parametrics. Those who have them will likely be using them for years to come. There’s one in the Emporium now.

Something interesting I would point out about the XMC1 is its ability to render an astounding presentation of the ATMOS tracks that are on many of the current films as an option (or not). Of course what you’re hearing is not ATMOS decoded as intended, but it remains lossless and spectacular in that regard especially with competent high end speakers.
Blu-ray movie audio is my favorite ear candy these days and it’s spectacular any way you decode it.

[stlaudiofan1]

I picked up, and initially setup, an Anthem AVM-70 8K yesterday. I’m completely satisfied so far. I wasn’t surprised by the significant sonic upgrade from its predecessor. What was alarming is that the video improved remarkably from the change. I have a friend that upgraded to a JBL Synthesis, noticing a similar video improvement. One might be inclined to think the HDMI pass through is like switching audio signals. It is clearly not that. There is HDMI handshaking/processing between the host and destination of every connection that very clearly benefits from the quality of the HDMI implementation in the processor.

[geebo]

Nov 24, 2022 8:53:40 GMT -5 stlaudiofan1 said:

I picked up, and initially setup, an Anthem AVM-70 8K yesterday. I’m completely satisfied so far. I wasn’t surprised by the significant sonic upgrade from its predecessor. What was alarming is that the video improved remarkably from the change. I have a friend that upgraded to a JBL Synthesis, noticing a similar video improvement. One might be inclined to think the HDMI pass through is like switching audio signals. It is clearly not that. There is HDMI handshaking/processing between the host and destination of every connection that very clearly benefits from the quality of the HDMI implementation in the processor.

Very curious. What was your previous processor? The video from a blu-ray played on my Panasonic UB820 looks exactly the same whether going through my RMC or connected directly to the TV. But you have to make certain that all the video settings on the TV are exactly the same for each of the TV's inputs if different ones are used to compare. If it's true passthrough then the video should be the same whether a given source is connected directly to the TV or going through the processor. Good or bad, it should be the same. Have you compared the video that way? If they're not the same then maybe the processor is somehow processing the video signal in some way.

[stlaudiofan1]

Nov 24, 2022 9:28:29 GMT -5 geebo said:

Nov 24, 2022 8:53:40 GMT -5 stlaudiofan1 said:

I picked up, and initially setup, an Anthem AVM-70 8K yesterday. I’m completely satisfied so far. I wasn’t surprised by the significant sonic upgrade from its predecessor. What was alarming is that the video improved remarkably from the change. I have a friend that upgraded to a JBL Synthesis, noticing a similar video improvement. One might be inclined to think the HDMI pass through is like switching audio signals. It is clearly not that. There is HDMI handshaking/processing between the host and destination of every connection that very clearly benefits from the quality of the HDMI implementation in the processor.

Very curious. What was your previous processor? The video from a blu-ray played on my Panasonic UB820 looks exactly the same whether going through my RMC or connected directly to the TV. But you have to make certain that all the video settings on the TV are exactly the same for each of the TV's inputs if different ones are used to compare. If it's true passthrough then the video should be the same whether a given source is connected directly to the TV or going through the processor. Good or bad, it should be the same. Have you compared the video that way? If they're not the same then maybe the processor is somehow processing the video signal in some way.

I was using the processor portion of a Denon 3600H receiver (not the amplification). I use the Panasonic UB820 for my UHD player as well. There is an 8 meter HDMI run from the processor to an Epson 6050UB projector. The picture going through the Denon was the same (or marginally better) than connecting the UB820 straight to the projector. Through the new processor it is remarkably better.

[geebo]

Nov 24, 2022 18:34:09 GMT -5 stlaudiofan1 said:

Nov 24, 2022 9:28:29 GMT -5 geebo said:

Very curious. What was your previous processor? The video from a blu-ray played on my Panasonic UB820 looks exactly the same whether going through my RMC or connected directly to the TV. But you have to make certain that all the video settings on the TV are exactly the same for each of the TV's inputs if different ones are used to compare. If it's true passthrough then the video should be the same whether a given source is connected directly to the TV or going through the processor. Good or bad, it should be the same. Have you compared the video that way? If they're not the same then maybe the processor is somehow processing the video signal in some way.

I was using the processor portion of a Denon 3600H receiver (not the amplification). I use the Panasonic UB820 for my UHD player as well. There is an 8 meter HDMI run from the processor to an Epson 6050UB projector. The picture going through the Denon was the same (or marginally better) than connecting the UB820 straight to the projector. Through the new processor it is remarkably better.

So there has to be some processing going on in the Anthem and possibly the Denon as well. Wouldn't you agree?

[stlaudiofan1]

Nov 24, 2022 20:29:35 GMT -5 geebo said:

Nov 24, 2022 18:34:09 GMT -5 stlaudiofan1 said:

I was using the processor portion of a Denon 3600H receiver (not the amplification). I use the Panasonic UB820 for my UHD player as well. There is an 8 meter HDMI run from the processor to an Epson 6050UB projector. The picture going through the Denon was the same (or marginally better) than connecting the UB820 straight to the projector. Through the new processor it is remarkably better.

So there has to be some processing going on in the Anthem and possibly the Denon as well. Wouldn't you agree?

Since the 820UB direct is not as good…. It almost has to be.  I’m on 5 movies with it now, and it’s consistently improved.  Not just one aspect, either.  Brighter, better blacks, sharper image, richer colors.  Just better all around.

[rbk123]

Nov 25, 2022 18:04:53 GMT -5 stlaudiofan1 said:

Since the 820UB direct is not as good…. It almost has to be.  I’m on 5 movies with it now, and it’s consistently improved.  Not just one aspect, either.  Brighter, better blacks, sharper image, richer colors.  Just better all around.

Are you using an active hdmi cable?  I noticed this difference when comparing an active cable to a passive cable in my setup, although the difference wasn't tremendous.  The active was a little bit better in the areas you mentioned, so I kept it.

[405x5]

Nov 26, 2022 10:01:36 GMT -5 rbk123 said:

Nov 25, 2022 18:04:53 GMT -5 stlaudiofan1 said:

Since the 820UB direct is not as good…. It almost has to be.  I’m on 5 movies with it now, and it’s consistently improved.  Not just one aspect, either.  Brighter, better blacks, sharper image, richer colors.  Just better all around.

Are you using an active hdmi cable?  I noticed this difference when comparing an active cable to an inactive in my setup, although the difference wasn't tremendous.  The active was a little bit better in the areas you mentioned, so I kept it.

Highly unlikely……The “active” cable is only giving you a long distance connectivity edge. Something in the video display settings from either the monitor or the player could be making a difference and even the player itself can have it to default settings render the image, a bit different brighter, darker, etc..

[stlaudiofan1]

Nov 26, 2022 10:01:36 GMT -5 rbk123 said:

Nov 25, 2022 18:04:53 GMT -5 stlaudiofan1 said:

Since the 820UB direct is not as good…. It almost has to be.  I’m on 5 movies with it now, and it’s consistently improved.  Not just one aspect, either.  Brighter, better blacks, sharper image, richer colors.  Just better all around.

Are you using an active hdmi cable?  I noticed this difference when comparing an active cable to a passive cable in my setup, although the difference wasn't tremendous.  The active was a little bit better in the areas you mentioned, so I kept it.

When I purchased the projector, they recommended and I purchased the Metra AV Install Bay active cable.  I have tried several different cables since, but nothing seemed to improve the picture over the Install Bay.  However, I’m not really a fan of the idea of an active cable, and kept looking for a passive option.

A few weeks ago, I picked up an 8 meter Metra AV VELOX PASSIVE cable for the projector run.  It made a decent improvement to the picture.  So much so, that I also changed my short run cables to the same.  It’s DPL certified.  I did a lot of research on the cable, after noticing the improvement.  I sent an email to Metra, and they respond by requesting my phone number.  I talked to the main guy there for about a half hour.  You don’t want these digital cables to make a difference, but in this case it did. 

[ttocs]

When I bought a 33 foot Ruipro Fiber Optic cable earlier this year, to replace a 10 foot long passive HDMI cable, it was only because I needed to run a longer cable to a new spot and wanted one that would work with higher bandwidth than the other cables I already had.

I wasn't expecting any difference in video or audio performance, but, while watching Formula One auto racing I noticed the graphics were cleaner with fewer artifacts. Thinking it was just from having jiggled the connections, I switched back to the old 10 foot cable and the video was no longer as good.

So then I tried a 50 foot active cable I used to use and the video looked the same as the 10 foot passive HDMI cable.

So the FO cable did improve the video by a little. 

[stlaudiofan1]

Nov 26, 2022 21:03:00 GMT -5 ttocs said:

When I bought a 33 foot Ruipro Fiber Optic cable earlier this year, to replace a 10 foot long passive HDMI cable, it was only because I needed to run a longer cable to a new spot and wanted one that would work with higher bandwidth than the other cables I already had.

I wasn't expecting any difference in video or audio performance, but, while watching Formula One auto racing I noticed the graphics were cleaner with fewer artifacts. Thinking it was just from having jiggled the connections, I switched back to the old 10 foot cable and the video was no longer as good.

So then I tried a 50 foot active cable I used to use and the video looked the same as the 10 foot passive HDMI cable.

So the FO cable did improve the video by a little. 

I tried the same length Ruipro 8K fiber cable.  It was the aqua colored one.  It was not as good as either Metra cable in my setup.  I even tried the little booster that came with it.  

It’s also worth mentioning that the cable changes were before changing to the Anthem. 

[rbk123]

Nov 26, 2022 20:16:24 GMT -5 stlaudiofan1 said:

A few weeks ago, I picked up an 8 meter Metra AV VELOX PASSIVE cable for the projector run.  It made a decent improvement to the picture.  So much so, that I also changed my short run cables to the same.  It’s DPL certified.  I did a lot of research on the cable, after noticing the improvement.  I sent an email to Metra, and they respond by requesting my phone number.  I talked to the main guy there for about a half hour.  You don’t want these digital cables to make a difference, but in this case it did. 

Interesting.  My theory was that maybe the AVM was giving more voltage (vs. the other devices) to the active cable and so boosting certain video data aspects.  Since your cable isn't active that theory can be tossed.  I'd have to agree with Geebo in that the Anthem must be doing some kind of processing, OR it has better error correction/handling of the data being transmitted over the cable.  Those are the only 2 things I can think of.