Phil Bishop
21-11-2009, 10:48
Folks,
Just thought I would post some info and pictures of a new system I have which I consider groundbreaking and possibly the shape of things to come in domestic audio.
The new acquisition is AVI's new Neutron 5 2.1 system. I assume the N5 bit stands for the satellite N5 speakers and the 2.1 is the name given to the unit which contains all the electronics and also houses a mighty 10" sub.
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/PhilBishop/2003_0101n50009.jpg
The sub controls everything and contains a Wolfson digital receiver chip (which is supposed to completely eradicate jitter) and DAC - apparently the DAC is the same one found in a competitor's £12K music server. The sub also contains pre-amp and three 100W power amps to drive the individual speakers. The amps are derivatives of the ADM9.1 and apparently superior to the renowned AVI Lab Series which still exchange hands for serious cash on ebay.
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/PhilBishop/2003_0101n50011.jpg
The sub has four optical digital inputs, one USB and one analogue. This is all a nod towards computer audio which is where AVI obviously think things are moving at a pace - no coaxial input.
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/PhilBishop/2003_0101n50014.jpg
I have only had this system for a week and it is in a temporary set-up. I drive it from a wireless link to my Apple TV music server playing lossless files. Operation is completely remote. I use an ipod touch to control the ATV (in another room) remotely and the AVI remote controls everything in the N5.2.1 system - input, volume, sub level, sub settings, etc.
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/PhilBishop/2003_0101n50025.jpg
So the critical bit - how does it sound? Well, in a word fantastic. It is detailed and smooth, excellent at low to medium levels but also able to rock when it needs to with that sub. The fact that you can fine tune the sub remotely means you can get the level of LF underpinning just right. I have thrown a wide range of music at it from Tracy Chapman to AC/DC and it seems to handle them all with aplomb. It is also a very user-friendly bit of gear and will fit into the domestic environment with TV, etc, very neatly.
An excellent groundbreaking system in my view and one which deserves to sell extremely well.
....but what about housing all those delicate electronics in the sub I hear many cry? Do you really need isolation for electronics - does it really make a difference? I am not qualified to answer, but I don't notice any detrimental impact and regret all the hard earned cash I parted with in the past for cones, sorbothane, etc. I can see the arguement for turntables and speakers, but am sceptical about electronics.
Phil
Just thought I would post some info and pictures of a new system I have which I consider groundbreaking and possibly the shape of things to come in domestic audio.
The new acquisition is AVI's new Neutron 5 2.1 system. I assume the N5 bit stands for the satellite N5 speakers and the 2.1 is the name given to the unit which contains all the electronics and also houses a mighty 10" sub.
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/PhilBishop/2003_0101n50009.jpg
The sub controls everything and contains a Wolfson digital receiver chip (which is supposed to completely eradicate jitter) and DAC - apparently the DAC is the same one found in a competitor's £12K music server. The sub also contains pre-amp and three 100W power amps to drive the individual speakers. The amps are derivatives of the ADM9.1 and apparently superior to the renowned AVI Lab Series which still exchange hands for serious cash on ebay.
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/PhilBishop/2003_0101n50011.jpg
The sub has four optical digital inputs, one USB and one analogue. This is all a nod towards computer audio which is where AVI obviously think things are moving at a pace - no coaxial input.
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/PhilBishop/2003_0101n50014.jpg
I have only had this system for a week and it is in a temporary set-up. I drive it from a wireless link to my Apple TV music server playing lossless files. Operation is completely remote. I use an ipod touch to control the ATV (in another room) remotely and the AVI remote controls everything in the N5.2.1 system - input, volume, sub level, sub settings, etc.
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/PhilBishop/2003_0101n50025.jpg
So the critical bit - how does it sound? Well, in a word fantastic. It is detailed and smooth, excellent at low to medium levels but also able to rock when it needs to with that sub. The fact that you can fine tune the sub remotely means you can get the level of LF underpinning just right. I have thrown a wide range of music at it from Tracy Chapman to AC/DC and it seems to handle them all with aplomb. It is also a very user-friendly bit of gear and will fit into the domestic environment with TV, etc, very neatly.
An excellent groundbreaking system in my view and one which deserves to sell extremely well.
....but what about housing all those delicate electronics in the sub I hear many cry? Do you really need isolation for electronics - does it really make a difference? I am not qualified to answer, but I don't notice any detrimental impact and regret all the hard earned cash I parted with in the past for cones, sorbothane, etc. I can see the arguement for turntables and speakers, but am sceptical about electronics.
Phil