 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
| Model: | OVATION |
| Category: | Preamplifier (HT) |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $4500 |
| Description: | Audiophile D/A converter and 5.1 surround sound processor. |
| Manufacturer URL: | Enlightened Audio Designs |
|
Review by Miguel Avila on October 06, 1999 at 09:23:27 IP Address: 206.49.129.135 |
Add Your Review for the OVATION |
I got my Theater Master Ovation on March, 1998. This was a few months after the very first units left the factory.
Back then I was searching for a preamp/processor in order to start building my stereo/home theater sysem. I was looking for the very best price/performance compromise. But unfortunately where I live there are no dealers in which I could audition high end surround processors. So I had to base my decision simply on reviews of the specialized press, specifications of the products and on the background of each manufacturer.
I was very lucky to find about this small American high-end company, Enlightened Audio Designs, which has earned my deepest admiration.
First I learned they were the first company to deliver Dolby Digital, HDCD and DTS to the consumer market. This really impressed me and it is a unmistakable sign of the talent and resources EAD has gathered over the years.
After that I got familiar with the reputation of the marque’s digital-to-analog converters. I read rave reviews from the specialized press from all over the world, praising the unique virtues of their classic digital processors. (Stereophile’s reference was, and quite possibly still is, the 9000 DS-Pro). The reason for this is that EAD really stresses on the electronic design details that truly make a difference, more than any other manufacturer that I know of (in my view, only comparable to Britain’s dCS). And best of all EAD has managed to bring these unique design details to their new Theater Master Line.
I was mighty impressed by their hybrid digital/analog volume control. This technology brings the best of both worlds: the low cost of a digital attenuator and the unparalleled quality of a switched resistive array analog control. It allows EAD to use the highest quality metal film resistors at a reasonable price. What they do is to use a resistor for each 6dB step and achieve the minor adjustments in the digital domain, never losing more than 1 bit of resolution (which in a 20 bit system will never degrade sound). This array is much better than the analog volume control used by other pre/pros and is comparable to what you will find in Jeff Rowland analog preamplifiers.
EAD’s Acculinear design philosophy is also worth to mention. It allows better transient response at the current-to-voltage stage than common integrated circuits and greater speed than the exotic discrete designs of some overpriced stand alone stereo processors. This is critical in the construction of the analog waveform, as closely as possible to the original signal and rejecting any digital signature.
At that time there was no other surround processor with a reclocking circuit, and that holds true today. The Theater Master achieves an unheard of digital source and interconnect insensitivity in its class. An anti-jitter circuit is crucial to achieve the highest possible digital resolution. With out it is unlikely to get 16 bits of resolution from CD’s and other sources. We all know that the differences we hear among digital cables and transports are related solely to jitter ( because ones and zero’s are always ones and zeroes, timing errors are the culprits). EAD’s Digital Flywheel gives the user the freedom to choose any moderately priced transport and digital cable without worrying about messing up the sound.
Also, Theater Masters are modular and software driven, making them fully upgradeable, without the cost and complexity of open architecture designs with sliding circuit boards. The buses these designs require are not the best choice as much as sound quality is concerned (less is best).
All these factors were enough for me to make the decision in favor of the TM Ovation.
When I got the unit I was stunned by the overall fit and finish. I know that looks are a subjective call, but for me it is the best looking pre/pro, even the circuit boards are beautiful (can be seen through the vents). It has the highest quality, heavy-duty RCA post not seen in Meridian, Proceed and Lexicon gear. The display is very effective, and agree with EAD to forgo an onscreen display. Many people disagree, but I see an onscreen display as a temptation to make layer upon layer of menus that only worsen the user interface. And I don’t have to turn on the TV to make an adjustment while auditioning a CD. In general, I find the ergonomics very good for a technically complex unit as it is.
EAD’s Autosetup provides effective calibration of speaker levels and delays, excepting the subwoofer. This is reasonable because the subwoofer is very sensitive to the room size, construction and placement.
The sound quality of this unit in stereo mode is what seduced me most during my first audition. Having myself a large collection of CD’s, this is a great advantage. And with discrete surround material, EAD’s leadership in surround decoding is apparent. Theater Masters also include a Matrix mode for derived surround from stereo sources. Matrix mode is fine but EAD stresses more on the highest quality stereo reproduction and not on DSP and ambient recovering , obviously the best way to go. (Its better to wait for DVD-audio).
I was very happy when quite a few months later I started to read the rave reviews these Theater Masters where receiving . The Signature model was ranked by SGHT among the three best stereo preamps on existence (including EAD's own DSP 9000) . Definitively I was not wrong with my decision.
EAD has made many software updates since the first units came out. For example, Autosetup now has phase correction for the speakers.
Keeping with their tradition, EAD hopes to be the first manufacturer to offer a DVD-Audio upgrade for the Theater Master line, as soon as the firewire format is finalized. I can hardly wait!
Regards,
Miguel Avila
| Product Weakness: | For the price point, NONE. However, if cost is no object it would be nice to have: six balanced outputs, stereophonic subwoofer outputs, AES/EBU interface, and a metal remote control to match with the beautiful processor |
| Product Strengths: | Stereo sound quality, the best implementation of DD, DTS, and HDCD, unsurpassed attention to detail on the electronics' design, the very best price/performance compromise, reputation of the manufacturer, upgradeability, ergonomics, excellent customer service, aesthetics, and much more. |
| Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
| Amplifier: | NONE |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | EAD Ovation |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Sony DVP-S7700 |
| Speakers: | Paradigm Active |
| Cables/Interconnects: | Kimber Hero |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | ALL |
| Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | Cinepro power conditioner |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
again, great reviews. just a couple of updates.
1) new remote no longer has problem. just not so intuitive. it is the all 4 one home producer 8. has nice macro function though.
2) no more LCD display whining.
3) the most current version is 5.07.
4) OSD display is available now with trigger for amps.
5) some new problems just discover by users. refer to archieve in the list
below.
6) The powermaster amps are great. they started shipping the lower model now. PM500.
7) the DVD-A format will require Firewire input mod and some hardware & Software upgrade. Ead hope to be the first to implement this into their theatermaster. so, if you wann upgrade to Ovation, wait untill dust settle down.
you're all welcome to the list!
Good review. I enjoyed the Ovation myself, but I found had some reservations about the design.These included:
1. The truly terrible remote it ships with (supposedly being replaced).
2. The LCD display, which whines loudly on some units, before giving up the ghost altogether (lots of posts about this problem).
3. The insufficient number of inputs/outputs (This is after all a HT piece. Most people will find themselves in search of an external switching device).
4. The lack of component video input/outputs.
5. The lack of a sophisticated matrix surround format (EAD's doesn't quite cut it).
6. The unit's tendancy to "unlock" from a digital signal (i.e., if fast forwarding a DVD), requiring switching to another input, then back to restablish the lock.
7. Having to give up video switching altogether if one choses to upgrade to Signature status.
8. No onboard RF demodulator for LD AC-3 (it can be done, and without creating RF noise, despite EAD's claim).
9. The lack of on screen displays (neither EAD's display, nor any other unit's, is readable from across the room, or, more likely, if it's in a cabinet with doors). EAD has been promising an outboard box which will go between the unit and display to add OSD for almost a year now (still not available to my knowledge).On the plus side:
1. The Ovation sounds good.
2. Is a bargain compared to EAD's old Theatermaster models' prices.
3. Looks are killer, especially when combined with their Powermaster amps (has anyone auditioned those amps?).
4. Other than the defective LCD displays (mine died after 4 months), the unit is built like a tank (wonderful binding posts).My point is NOT to slam either EAD or the review. But there ARE some areas in which the unit falls short. How important those are all depends upon one's needs. This is ALSO TRUE for other processers. Technology marches on (for example, no unit I'm aware of has Firewire capability, and very few have 5.1 audio or component video inputs).
Great review. Just a couple of things:1.EAD converts analog signal to digital on the inputs (using high quality A/D converters though) and then converts it back to analog. You may consider it weakness or may not depending on whether you are running analog sources or not and to what degree you are fanatic about purity of analog signal.
2.Some of the owners experienced a problems with a random loud pops when playing DVDs.(check the link to encore users list below). I had them as well. On the other hand after EAD upgraded a software, all problems are gone and unit works great. If you are planning to buy one, make sure that it got latest software.
3. Just to clear things about software upgrades. Even if they will have an upgrade to DVD audio format it couldn't be just software. Now Ovation uses 20-bit D/A converters. So it will be hardware upgrade and it's gonna cost you… But again nobody knows what format we will end up with.
Miguel,Thanks for the review.
I currently have the Encore, and am debating whether it is worth it to upgrade to the Ovation. One of the reasons driving me to want to change is the balanced outputs for the L/R main speakers. Someone mentioned that the balanced outputs only work in stereo mode and in 5.1 mode you have to use the unbalanced outputs - if this is true it would seem to defeat the whole point. Is this true?
Have you had the opportunity to compare the Encore to the Ovation? If so what was your opinion of the differences. I am interested mainly in the improvements to stereo reproduction.
Thanks
Chris
Hello Chris,Sorry for the delay, didn’t check this web page for awhile.
With the Theater Master Ovation, differential or balanced mode is only possible in Stereo playback. The reason for this is that the number of DAC chips, digital filters and current-to-voltage stages are limited to six (there are actually three stereo PDM-100 digital filters)
In balanced operation, two DAC’s are dedicated for each stereo channel. In this mode, separate DAC’s are needed for the balanced outputs’ positive and negative polarities, so a total of four DAC’s (five if you are crossing over the main channels to the subwoofer) are necessary during Stereo playback. Because the Ovation has six PCM 1702 DAC’s, balanced operation is not possible during matrix or other surround modes. In this case, each surround channel requires its own DAC, and the balanced interface’s negative terminal is grounded rather than driven.
This design choice allows EAD to bring the refinement of balanced topology for dedicated stereophonic playback at a reasonable price. For instance, if EAD decided to implement balanced operation in surround mode, at least two additional DAC’s would be necessary (just to keep the front channels in balanced mode), adding to the cost. For six balanced outputs twelve DAC’s would be mandatory and component count would almost double, as well as price. Other manufacturers offer balanced outputs in surround mode, but with downgraded DAC’s and general circuit design because otherwise, price wouldn’t be competitive. Definitively what they make up adding balanced outputs is overshadowed by the lower quality components they are obligated to use.
In my view, balanced topology is best suited to get the most from CD playback. For movies, I think the difference between single ended and balanced connections reduces to nothing. What really counts is the general quality of the DAC board.
The upgrade from Encore to Ovation not only brigs you the balanced outputs. The Ovation includes multibit ladder DAC’s, Acculinear C-to-V stage and the Digital Flywheel reclocking circuit.
I have auditioned the Encore and find it to have excellent performance to begin with, better than many sub 6K processors. But the Ovation reminds me more of tube electronics, the sound has a more liquid texture and the soudstage is slightly more three dimensional. I think the Acculinear circuit is most responsible for this. Also, the jitter reducer masks the differences between whichever transport or digital interconnect you may use. Actually I can hear an improvement when switching ON my unit’s Flywheel Option (better extension and detail). Fortunately, I have yet to see the unlock problems other owners have experienced with DVD’s. (My source is a Sony DVP-S7700).
I recommend you to arrange with your dealer an in home trial. This would allow you to make a direct comparison between the two processors using your existing components. I think you won’t find a better way to judge if the $1600 upgrade is worthwhile. You could also wait and save the cash for the promised DVD Audio upgrade.
Glad to share these thoughts with you.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any comments.Best Regards,
Miguel Avila.
Chris,
1.You can use only one set of balanced outputs for stereo and front channels of 5.1 signal.
There was an issue of setting up an 6db adjustment to compensate for a difference between balanced and unbalanced channels for 5-channel signal, but you need to set this thing just once and forget about it.
2.I wouldn't upgrade just for the sake of having balanced outputs unless you are running really long interconnects. Frankly I didn't hear much difference on 1 meter.
Probably there is a difference between Ovation and Encore, but I would recommend you to check it for yourself at the dealer store.
guys, if you like more input form all theatermaster users, from encore to signature, go to http://encoreusers.listbot.com where there are 40 users group together in mailing list to discuss about this unit.it used to be for only encore users, now it's for all theatermaster users.
you are welcome there. Free...
owner of the list
abdul
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
