AV3? Will we ever get one?

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Dane:
The AV2 can already take a 7.1 channel input from an appropriate source such as a blu-ray player. Inputs 1 & 2 are Versatile Inputs (VIPS) and can be configured for this.

I'll be damned! I must admit I just looked for the RCA inputs.

Yes, it was a rather fortunate bit of forward thinking on Naim's part. It means that you can partner it successfully with any Blu-ray player that can output the full 7.1 channels. Of course, it will depend upon the quality of the blu-ray player's decoding and to a greater extent the quality of it's analog output stages. On my own AV2, I use the VIPS for the multi-channel DVD-A output of the DVD5.

Recently I momentarily toyed with the idea of changing to a Universal DVD/BR player but, as I only use a 42" Plasma, the difference in PQ is not that great to make me want to change. SQ may be another matter, of course, but I've changed tack a bit and have decided to try out a Network Media Tank. A couple of TB should be enough storage for all the DVDs and then I can relegate them to the attic. Only concern is whether there's a nice, slick browsing program out there so one can choose films by cover-art. But that's for another thread I think...

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Dane:
Yes, it was a rather fortunate bit of forward thinking on Naim's part. It means that you can partner it successfully with any Blu-ray player that can output the full 7.1 channels. Of course, it will depend upon the quality of the blu-ray player's decoding and to a greater extent the quality of it's analog output stages. On my own AV2, I use the VIPS for the multi-channel DVD-A output of the DVD5.

Recently I momentarily toyed with the idea of changing to a Universal DVD/BR player but, as I only use a 42" Plasma, the difference in PQ is not that great to make me want to change. SQ may be another matter, of course, but I've changed tack a bit and have decided to try out a Network Media Tank. A couple of TB should be enough storage for all the DVDs and then I can relegate them to the attic. Only concern is whether there's a nice, slick browsing program out there so one can choose films by cover-art. But that's for another thread I think...

Just for the record Stereo Stereo sell a product that does exactly that it stores DVD films and you surf via film cover. Its rather impressive tbh. It also tells you the resolution the film was saved in and what sound is available for viewing as in dts dd etc.

For the life of me I can't remember the name of it.

Is that not the Kaleidoscope ? Think they start at north of £5k for the entry level one.

Think I'll stick with XBMC on my aTV and a nice big NAS.

Roy.

I think your right Roy. What's the difference then ?

One question, what is the advantage of something such as an av3 with decoding via hdmi over an av2 with a decent bluray player and usind 5 or 7.1 outs?

As far as I know a bluray player is the only source that would actually utilise these codecs. For me I cannot see the logic in spending say 2.5k+ on an av3 plus 1k+ on a bluray player for the same results as an existing av2 and a 1k+ bluray player.

Because you're completely dependent on the quality of the decoding and the analogue stage of the chosen BD player....Personally, there's only 2 or 3 players I would be happy marrying up to the AV2 in this manner and they are certainly more than 1k...

Anyone who has heard the decoding and resulting sound quality of the AV2 with standard DTS and Dolby can vouch for the audio performance from the all Naim set up - logic dictates the same would be the same for the AV3 with Naim hopefully ringing the most out of the new codecs...

HDMI also brings many other features within an extended AV setup; switching, reduced cables etc..

In my experience, bass management, etc. I very limited internally to BluRay players (even the best) compared with even the most basic processor or receiver.

There's an argument that with a processor you'd only need a £300 player (talking about pure BluRay) if the AV3 ame along compared with needing £1000 (plus) player for similar quality with an AV2.

Eloise

I think this type of debate of whether a BluRay player with a good analog stage + AV2 or standard BluRay player LPCM/HDMI to an AV3 is any better really is where I was coming from around putting some form of Room Correction in to an AV3 style product is the way to differentiate it from another processor.

Roy.

I would also welcome an AV3, I have just had my AV2 returned after some TLC at Salisbury and it is much improved.

I have also ordered a cheap(ish) BluRay player with all audio options andalso has multiple analogue outs. Thanks to Naim for the foresight of including this facility.

I will report back on the sound comparison of the new codecs via the BluRay player, compared with the AV2 decoding of DD, although as the player is a Xmas pressie it will not be for a month or so.

Gerry

Enjoy your refreshed AV2 Gerry...!

And it will be interesting to read your report back of the BD into the AV2 analogue - let us know of the player and cables used when you do this as obviously these will have a significant role...

Steve.

Hi Steve,

Its a LG BD390, which has got good reviews, and I have ordered the cables from Flashback I need 5 meter lengths.

Gerry

quote:

Originally posted by Roy Donaldson:
I think this type of debate of whether a BluRay player with a good analog stage + AV2 or standard BluRay player LPCM/HDMI to an AV3 is any better really is where I was coming from around putting some form of Room Correction in to an AV3 style product is the way to differentiate it from another processor.

Roy.

There is a way to make an informed decision on which is better Arcams new processor, Krells new machine or the existing AV2. Please guys don't talk Naim out an AV3. There is more to a product than just codecs. Chipsets have improved, power supplies have improved after all the original AV2 design is some ten years old things have changed in ten years.

No one here is talking Naim out of a AV3 Neill - god forbid after all the banging on we've been doing..!!!

I do want to listen to that AV888 though if Naim don't get their finger out....!

I use an Oppo BDP-83 into an AV2 via analogue. Previous to that I had an Audiolab 8000P. I much prefer the sound of the AV2, but the bass is a bit unmanageable sometimes, despite trying to tweak the sub whilst pulling my hair out. I can use the Oppo into the AV2 via Coax as it can reencode the HD audio into full rate DTS, the results are not as good, but the bass is at least then manageable. I have also used a Tag AV32R DP in the same way (analogue & digital from Oppo), this was a great piece of kit, due to it's very good room equalisation software and bass management. Now if I could just have an AV3 made up of the best bits of the Naim AV2, Audiolab 8000ap & TAG AV32R DP - simple to use and not too big and bulky, great sound with films and music, can accept HD audio via HDMI (LPCM or via HD codecs) like the Audiolab but add the Tag room equalisation type software, we would have Utopia. I do not need any video processing as that's what I have a DVDO for. Mu only option at the moment is maybe the Arcam, but that is massive and too expensive.

Sounds like a good take on what is needed SimonJ !

As for your present situation, does the Oppo not allow for the bass output level to be adjusted ? I would have thought it would be a simple case of setting all the speaker levels +-dB, including the .1, with a sound meter, whilst running the test tone from the Oppo through the Analogues into the AV2 etc...?

Steve.

quote:

Originally posted by SimonJ:
I use an Oppo BDP-83 into an AV2 via analogue. Now if I could just have an AV3 made up of the best bits of the Naim AV2, Audiolab 8000ap & TAG AV32R DP - simple to use and not too big and bulky, great sound with films and music, can accept HD audio via HDMI (LPCM or via HD codecs) like the Audiolab but add the Tag room equalisation type software, we would have Utopia. I do not need any video processing as that's what I have a DVDO for. Mu only option at the moment is maybe the Arcam, but that is massive and too expensive.

Coincidentally, I'm also using Oppo '83 into analogues of an AV2, & previously owned a Tag AV32R DP, which IMO was a great processor, just didn't sound so nice as the AV2 (I was recently contacted by the french owner of my old AV32, asking if there was a french translation for the instructions!)I use a Lumagen rather than a DVDO, but of course I agree with your wish-list.

A slight diversion from the topic but I do notice great variation from disc to disc in what sounds better on the HD audio front - analogues or downsampled SP/DIF. A strange business really, and I'm quite puzzled.

I'm beginning to think DTS MA is better through the analogues, DD HD with SP/DIF.

Bass management, well there's a subject all on its own!

quote:

Originally posted by tonym:
Bass management, well there's a subject all on its own!

Pray tell Tony...!?

Steve.

Don't personally see the point in paying out for Kelidascope when you can have it for free (assuming you own a computer)

Taken from mine today:

Looks a beautiful interface Gary....even surpassing ATV

Steve.

Thats not difficult ATV interface is crap, and apple tie you down something bad. Luckily the above is also on my ATV allowing me access to practically any file type, AVI, MPEG, FLAC, WAV, VOB etc etc.

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
Thats not difficult ATV interface is crap, and apple tie you down something bad. Luckily the above is also on my ATV allowing me access to practically any file type, AVI, MPEG, FLAC, WAV, VOB etc etc.

Gary ... sorry an off topic question ... but what skin is that you're running on XBMC? And what hardware do you run your XBMC on?

Eloise

XBMC is just in the process of about to go to the next version and they are updating the skins. The new default skin will be Confluence, which is lovely:

http://xbmc.org/skins/confluence/

Roy.

Eloise, check out the XBMC forum, there are three significant skins right now which beat anything in the XBMC download, AEON, ALASKA (the one above) and ELIPSIS.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Dane:

What's needed now is to build on the performance, bring all the decoding up to date and iron out the idiosyncracies in the useability. Anything else? Naim is listening...

Does this mean upgrading and bringing up to date the existing models? Optional upgrades performed in Salisbury + up to date new models being released.

Otherwise;

AV3 in full size case

room correction

hdmi inputs

new HD codecs

updated stereo dac

Atleast 122x/202 quality preamp

internal 5 channel amp from the N-vi

audio, audio, audio, its what Naim do, keep software to a minimum. It should be just what it says it should be a multi channel PREAMPLIFIER + some extras. Why should the preamp stages be compromised ? Why should I need to buy an XS,122x or 202 to add on.

I would be happy with any Nait that had multi channel input facilities. Just add the 175 and off you go.