These seem like a great solution for audio streamer / pc music systems. Is building the dac and amplification into the speaker the way forward for computer audio? http://www.avihifi.co.uk/avid/avid.html
This type of solution has been around for a while but I don't think it is the wave of the future. It limits your choices too much. If you want another DAC or speakers you need to switch both. Cool, but not for me.
First I have to say that this is a cool site. I found it a few weeks ago while surfing. As to the AVI speakers I have owned a pair since August, and I love them. Chris, I have to agree that it does lock you in, however being a previous owner of AVI gear I took a leap of faith and have not regretted it. I have the 16 bit Burr Brown version with USB input, but I think a version with a 24 bit Wolfson DAC and optical input is coming. My whole system now consists of a Mac Mini as the center of my digital world, and my turntable and phono stage on the analog side. Throw in my display and external hardrive, and for a total of six boxes I have a great audio/video system.
Hey there radar - Thanks a lot for the post. It is great to have an opinion from someone who has the system themselves. I'm glad you're really happy with your system and I think other readers will benefit from the list of components you posted.
I also have the AVI ADM9s and would like to share my experience. I use a macbook/itunes through USB connection to the ADM9s and lossless or uncompressed audio files. I have to say the ADM9s are my most satisfying hifi purchase to date – the macbook and ADM9s are now my main system and have replaced a rack of separates costing more than twice as much. It’s not just that the itunes thing is so convenient, the macbook and ADM9s simply sound better. Chris, they are more flexible than you might think on first impressions. They have analogue inputs so you can use an external dac or cd transport if you want and with the USB version you can record to your laptop/macbook’s hard drive. They might not be to everybody’s taste (conventional audiophile types) but to anybody interested in computer audio they are a must audition in my view. A word of caution, I had problems getting the best out of them with Windows laptops. I tried three different brands – (1) Samsung running Vista Home (2) a JVC mininote running XP Pro and (3) a HP running XP Home. 1 sounded bad, 2 sounded poor and 3 sounded great. The manufacturer were very helpful with advice on what to do to get the best out of them with Windows but in the end I got a macbook, which sounded fantastic straight out of the box without any messing around.
I’ve recently ordered a Benchmark DAC1USB to use with headphones at my workplace but will try the Benchmark with the ADM9s to compare the sound quality against the ADM9s internal DAC. I also intend digitizing some of my vinyl collection and will post my thoughts on these experiments, if anybody is interested.
Thanks for the post PaulC. You guys are getting me more and more interested in reviewing the AVI products. I really like that you mentioned the analog inputs. This does offer some flexibility in DAC selection. I am very interested to hear your impressions when you use the Benchmark DAC on this system.
Paul,
Glad to see someone else who uses the ADM9's, I thought I was the only one-at least in the US I know they are doing well in the UK. I have to agree on the Mac, my Mini sounds much better than a laptop I tried running XP business.
Meridian has been doing this for many years. In fact, they take it to the extreme. A three way speaker will have a DAC and power amp for the woofer, mid, and tweeter, respectively. Tri-amped and Tri-Dac'd. Ok I made up the second phase. I have nothing but respect for Meridians digital designs. The first outboard DAC I ever owned was their 203 more than twenty years ago. I am not wild about their speakers although it would seem that the concept makes sense. The problems I see are twofold: Their amplifier and speaker prowess needs to be as good as their Dacs, which is not my impression, and you are locked into the system approach and can't do just an amp upgrade. Please any existing Meridian active speaker owners, don't take offense. It's just my opinion but these concerns do make them a bit harder to sell. We just took a 17K Meridian CD player in on trade and it is truly great, as it should be.
These ADM9s have caused some hot debate in UK hifi forums mainly because of some of the claims of the manufacturer. I agree that other manufacturers have done this before but I’m not aware of any other products in the same price range (UK price £1000) that are of similar sound and build quality – if anybody knows of any please post a link as it would be great to have some alternatives to compare against the ADM9s (several of my friends are saving their hard earned bucks to buy the ADM9s after hearing mine). Radar, are you tempted by the sub (UK price £750)? I’m not sure that I need one but will probably make a visit to AVI’s factory to check them out. Incidentally, while AVI’s marketing strategy seems to annoy some they are very helpful and will happily invite prospective customers to their factory. They also have a skype link on their web site so you can call for a chat and ask as many questions as you like.
Hey Rick - I agree that Merdian does make some outstanding products. I've always thought if their model of DAC inside the speaker was the way to go many more manufacturers would be all over it. I think we would even see products like a Classe / B&W speaker etc...
To your point about their speakers, I personally have never heard anyone rave about them. It almost seems like a topic people ignore because of the other fabulous digital products Meridian makes. It's like they get a pass on this one.
Posts: 2054
This type of solution has
This type of solution has been around for a while but I don't think it is the wave of the future. It limits your choices too much. If you want another DAC or speakers you need to switch both. Cool, but not for me.
Chris C.
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 44
AVI ADM 9
First I have to say that this is a cool site. I found it a few weeks ago while surfing. As to the AVI speakers I have owned a pair since August, and I love them. Chris, I have to agree that it does lock you in, however being a previous owner of AVI gear I took a leap of faith and have not regretted it. I have the 16 bit Burr Brown version with USB input, but I think a version with a 24 bit Wolfson DAC and optical input is coming. My whole system now consists of a Mac Mini as the center of my digital world, and my turntable and phono stage on the analog side. Throw in my display and external hardrive, and for a total of six boxes I have a great audio/video system.
Posts: 2054
Hey there radar - Thanks a
Hey there radar - Thanks a lot for the post. It is great to have an opinion from someone who has the system themselves. I'm glad you're really happy with your system and I think other readers will benefit from the list of components you posted.
Chris C.
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 9
AVI ADM9s
Hi people, newbie here with first post.
I also have the AVI ADM9s and would like to share my experience. I use a macbook/itunes through USB connection to the ADM9s and lossless or uncompressed audio files. I have to say the ADM9s are my most satisfying hifi purchase to date – the macbook and ADM9s are now my main system and have replaced a rack of separates costing more than twice as much. It’s not just that the itunes thing is so convenient, the macbook and ADM9s simply sound better. Chris, they are more flexible than you might think on first impressions. They have analogue inputs so you can use an external dac or cd transport if you want and with the USB version you can record to your laptop/macbook’s hard drive. They might not be to everybody’s taste (conventional audiophile types) but to anybody interested in computer audio they are a must audition in my view. A word of caution, I had problems getting the best out of them with Windows laptops. I tried three different brands – (1) Samsung running Vista Home (2) a JVC mininote running XP Pro and (3) a HP running XP Home. 1 sounded bad, 2 sounded poor and 3 sounded great. The manufacturer were very helpful with advice on what to do to get the best out of them with Windows but in the end I got a macbook, which sounded fantastic straight out of the box without any messing around.
I’ve recently ordered a Benchmark DAC1USB to use with headphones at my workplace but will try the Benchmark with the ADM9s to compare the sound quality against the ADM9s internal DAC. I also intend digitizing some of my vinyl collection and will post my thoughts on these experiments, if anybody is interested.
Posts: 2054
Thanks for the post PaulC.
Thanks for the post PaulC. You guys are getting me more and more interested in reviewing the AVI products. I really like that you mentioned the analog inputs. This does offer some flexibility in DAC selection. I am very interested to hear your impressions when you use the Benchmark DAC on this system.
Chris C.
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 44
Paul, Glad to see someone
Paul,
Glad to see someone else who uses the ADM9's, I thought I was the only one-at least in the US I know they are doing well in the UK. I have to agree on the Mac, my Mini sounds much better than a laptop I tried running XP business.
Posts: 204
Meridian has been doing this
Meridian has been doing this for many years. In fact, they take it to the extreme. A three way speaker will have a DAC and power amp for the woofer, mid, and tweeter, respectively. Tri-amped and Tri-Dac'd. Ok I made up the second phase. I have nothing but respect for Meridians digital designs. The first outboard DAC I ever owned was their 203 more than twenty years ago. I am not wild about their speakers although it would seem that the concept makes sense. The problems I see are twofold: Their amplifier and speaker prowess needs to be as good as their Dacs, which is not my impression, and you are locked into the system approach and can't do just an amp upgrade. Please any existing Meridian active speaker owners, don't take offense. It's just my opinion but these concerns do make them a bit harder to sell. We just took a 17K Meridian CD player in on trade and it is truly great, as it should be.
Posts: 9
ADM9s
These ADM9s have caused some hot debate in UK hifi forums mainly because of some of the claims of the manufacturer. I agree that other manufacturers have done this before but I’m not aware of any other products in the same price range (UK price £1000) that are of similar sound and build quality – if anybody knows of any please post a link as it would be great to have some alternatives to compare against the ADM9s (several of my friends are saving their hard earned bucks to buy the ADM9s after hearing mine). Radar, are you tempted by the sub (UK price £750)? I’m not sure that I need one but will probably make a visit to AVI’s factory to check them out. Incidentally, while AVI’s marketing strategy seems to annoy some they are very helpful and will happily invite prospective customers to their factory. They also have a skype link on their web site so you can call for a chat and ask as many questions as you like.
Posts: 2054
Hey Rick - I agree that
Hey Rick - I agree that Merdian does make some outstanding products. I've always thought if their model of DAC inside the speaker was the way to go many more manufacturers would be all over it. I think we would even see products like a Classe / B&W speaker etc...
To your point about their speakers, I personally have never heard anyone rave about them. It almost seems like a topic people ignore because of the other fabulous digital products Meridian makes. It's like they get a pass on this one.
Chris C.
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 204
Or at least try to. The
Or at least try to. The speakers have been a sticking point in terms of getting into some stores.