Dan, this is what I posted over on the M-Forum about the switch:
I've only had a 10 or so hours of critical listening, but I find the Denon to be quite transparent. No 'edge', and my MartinLogans are quite revealing of subtleties like that if they're there.
Playback of .WAV files directly within the preamp is amazingly clean. Better than my HTPC (with M-Audio ASIO drivers) feeding via coax digital a 518->568.
Likewise DVD-A via DenonLink3 is incredibly detailed and accurate.
I also was a skeptic of this piece initially, but upon closer inspection, it really is a 'statement' piece that is well engineered and very much overbuilt.
I'll be doing a few A/B's between the AVP-A1HD and the 568 (via Balanced 3ch only, as that's all the balanced out on a 568) next weekend.
I'd would have happily given $7K to M for a new preamp, and desperately wanted to do so for the past two years, but they've just not supplied one that I feel is worth it.
And now, for 20% more coin, they still aren't.
In this current world of Multichannel surround sound, I believe they need to stay more current with codecs, Interfaces and video integration, etc.
It's not like 2ch stereo where audiophiles can stay stuck in past paradigms, just swapping one shinny box for another that essentially does the same thing.
Anyway, I'll keep an eye on M and might rejoin at some future date if they release compelling gear.
That is awesome Jonathan! Glad to hear that you're enjoying your new preamp as much as I'm enjoying mine.
And over the course of a month or two, it's only gonna get better.
Waboman is also really enjoying his as well. That makes three AVP owners here. Very cool!
Yes I also have found the sound more detailed and accurate than what I was hearing from my Sunfire TGIII. I am hearing subtleties in music now that I never heard before on the TGIII. Channel separation is also better on the AVP than it was on my TGIII.
I agree, .WAV files through the AVP sound amazing! The resolution and soundstage of music is wide and deep. And is so good that I rarely listen to physical CD's anymore. And since HDCD encoded music and DTS encoded music (thanks for the heads up on that
) go through when streamed, I can really enjoy all my music collection.
And at some point in the time (like next year when Denon releases their Blu-ray Universal player), I will then be able to use DenonLink 4. Because in the interview with Jeff Talmadge, he mentions that the new player is designed to work with the AVP via DenonLink. That is going to be one heck of a nice machine. I can't wait till it comes out.
Yes the Denon AVP-A1HD is indeed a "Statement Piece", and as such the engineers at Denon pulled out all the stops on it. Back when I was looking for a replacement for my TGIII, I was willing to go as high as $12,000 for a pre/pro if it offered everything I needed/wanted. There were/are no pre/pro's that offer all that the AVP does. So my thought is why pay more for something that gives less. Right now all the specialty high end brands are feverishly trying to play catch up. And even so still are way behind in terms of flexibility, features, functions, and connectivity.
This is why more and more I see former Krell, Lexicon, Anthem, Meridian, Halcro, etc. owners going with the Denon AVP. And these people only buy what is a worthy replacement to what they were using.
I see the Denon AVP staying current technology wise for some time.
Seth
