Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat ‘Budget’ AV System

Such hybrid systems will always have a caveat. It is just where each one falls on the importance scale of each particular user. In this case, a dedicated sub channel for DSW requires a 271. That importance scale adds $3000.00 US to the equation

There speaks the voice of wisdom.

It’s just as well that I have a spare active Sub (B&W PV-1) to use in such a hybrid system, in lieu of my DSW.2 (which I would use for music playback alone).

Have others here successfully implemented a hybrid system utilising 218 and front DSP’s - plus analogue surround Receiver?

I don’t have any issue in buying a 271 if required, nor a 258. What I don’t have is the available space (the means) for multiple DSP’s dotted around my Lounge. Ceiling Beams mean that I cannot install Ceiling speakers.

Having trawled through 300+ pages on AVS Forums regarding JBL Synthesis SDP-55 owners, it would appear that the firmware has sufficiently evolved over 2 years (!) to ensure that the device is a viable alternative to Lyngdorf/Trinnov - just at the point where the successor SDP-58 is due to emerge. Even so, I can’t believe that such a device would be introduced into the market that isn’t fully functional at launch.

This made me laugh so hard I spit out my coffee. There are so many devices that do not perform fully straight out of the box that it would blow you away. There has to be some reason that those units are being offered at far below dealer cost over there.

I ordered and delivered ten SDP55 and two Arcam versions this year. All except one of them had to be returned along with countless hours spent on the phone with tech support attempting countless attempts at firmware updates. I simply was giving fair warning based on recent experience.

Anthem units will not allow you to use ARC until the firmware is updated. Many Crestron products do not work correctly until the latest firmware is installed. I could go on and on.

The AVS forums have enough out of box horror stories of other products to keep one busy for many days reading them.

Having worked in QA for video games, this is all to common, for many years - Buggy new releases with patches rolled out on day 1.

I guess it’s an indication of the general complexity of making surround processors nowadays. Time and money vs needed income post the development and marketing costs. Get the product out, get consumer feedback and release firmware updates to fix the most severe bugs.

Still it’s a very annoying.

I think another well known example is the Emotiva RMC1.

I have the very strong impression that Trinnov (and Lyngdorf) are the exception to the rule for the absence of such bug-ridden software.

For the most part, yes. Lyngdorf has had some issues with Roon integration and some HDMI glitches, Trinnov almost never.

Manufacturers beta testing dealers and consumers is nothing new. Ask any early Control 4 or Elan Home Systems integrator, back in those days more stuff was returned than stayed in a system.

Being a dealer for Trinnov, Lyngdorf, Storm, JBL, Arcam, NAD, Theta Digital, Datasat, Anthem, Audio Control, Lexicon, and others, I have seen my fair share of components that were not quite ready for prime time.

It seems I spoke too soon about Trinnov being problem free…

So if a customer calls into your shop Bruce and says he wants an AV processor, presumably your answer is "Trinnov"? But if the hapless customer says "My pockets aren't that deep", what would your advice be, NAD?

Anthem, NAD or Lexicon.

Interesting; thanks Bruce.

Atmos upfirers? Or even a Sennheiser Ambeo soundbar? Or would that be a compromise too far?