Here is the start to all the fun and exciement that has been building. Owners, please posts thoughts, comments and reviews on this unit. Mine should be here any second and I'll update this post with my initial thoughts tonight, and a MUCH more in depth review tomorrow night!
OK GOT IT!!
To clarify power. Continuous Power Output from 20hz to 20khz at 8ohms is 110watts.
That is the real number that we are all concerned about....
Just hooked up the speakers and quickly dialed them in to reference levels.
Popped in Cloverfield and used PURE DIRECT and let me tell you this was simply amazing.
On Screen controls are not flashy, but they are very clear cut and easy to use. There are a lot of sound options on this unit and I'm going to have to play with it and read more to determine which to use for BluRay and TV watching. I am betting PURE DIRECT is the way to go since it probably just lets the unaltered audio go right through without over processing it. But I might have to play with Direct and see how the auto calibration does. Also there is a HIBIT setting which I have to investigate more about.
Looks wise this thing is very good looking. As well built as my 1014, but the 1018 doesn't have that nice front flap....they leave that for the Elites now.
3 HDMI in and 1 out as we thought.
Sorry this is short but I have to shower and go out with the lady tonight. Tomorrow night I have all night to play and discover and I'll give more information then. I will also answer any questions that I can.
So far...I'm impressed and 100% happy with this unit!
ps....mine is stamped on the back with a MAY 2008 production! Interesting huh!
__________________________________________________________
Ok I am back.
From what I have tested the Auto Calibration is very near PERFECT in my room. I checked with my handy SPL meter and everything was within 1db of being spot on...Impressive.
Also...DIRECT seems to be the way to go. From my reading and understanding DIRECT gives you the direct feed of the audio track and then applies the speaker calibration and set up without altering the signal any more than that.
PURE DIRECT turns EVERYTHING off and just gives you the signal.....Probably not what we Calibration nuts want to use.
So my vote is DIRECT listening mode for everything honestly.
BTB and WTW. Testing just with my PS3 and going from limited and full RGB and using SUPERWHITE on and off everything goes right through unaltered.
There is 100% a clear difference in the HD Audio vs standard. I hear it most in the effects, surround, background noises. It is the little details it seems to add where you wouldn't hear that with regular audio. Now this is only with some A/B comparison really quickly with a couple blu rays.
I will comment on HEAT after I watch a 2 hour movie at my reference volume. Then I will better know how it deals with heat when I push it hard.
I do have one question. TRUE HD vs Uncompressed PCM Isn't the PCM track "better"?
Update: I watched Spiderman 3 last night and the PCM track was stunning. More importantly the unit ran cool the entire time and I only have about 3 inches above, and 2 inches to each side. I put my hands all over it after the 2 hour and 20min movie at reference level volumes and it was a little warm but not even close to HOT!
OK GOT IT!!
To clarify power. Continuous Power Output from 20hz to 20khz at 8ohms is 110watts.
That is the real number that we are all concerned about....
Just hooked up the speakers and quickly dialed them in to reference levels.
Popped in Cloverfield and used PURE DIRECT and let me tell you this was simply amazing.
On Screen controls are not flashy, but they are very clear cut and easy to use. There are a lot of sound options on this unit and I'm going to have to play with it and read more to determine which to use for BluRay and TV watching. I am betting PURE DIRECT is the way to go since it probably just lets the unaltered audio go right through without over processing it. But I might have to play with Direct and see how the auto calibration does. Also there is a HIBIT setting which I have to investigate more about.
Looks wise this thing is very good looking. As well built as my 1014, but the 1018 doesn't have that nice front flap....they leave that for the Elites now.
3 HDMI in and 1 out as we thought.
Sorry this is short but I have to shower and go out with the lady tonight. Tomorrow night I have all night to play and discover and I'll give more information then. I will also answer any questions that I can.
So far...I'm impressed and 100% happy with this unit!
ps....mine is stamped on the back with a MAY 2008 production! Interesting huh!
__________________________________________________________
Ok I am back.
From what I have tested the Auto Calibration is very near PERFECT in my room. I checked with my handy SPL meter and everything was within 1db of being spot on...Impressive.
Also...DIRECT seems to be the way to go. From my reading and understanding DIRECT gives you the direct feed of the audio track and then applies the speaker calibration and set up without altering the signal any more than that.
PURE DIRECT turns EVERYTHING off and just gives you the signal.....Probably not what we Calibration nuts want to use.
So my vote is DIRECT listening mode for everything honestly.
BTB and WTW. Testing just with my PS3 and going from limited and full RGB and using SUPERWHITE on and off everything goes right through unaltered.
There is 100% a clear difference in the HD Audio vs standard. I hear it most in the effects, surround, background noises. It is the little details it seems to add where you wouldn't hear that with regular audio. Now this is only with some A/B comparison really quickly with a couple blu rays.
I will comment on HEAT after I watch a 2 hour movie at my reference volume. Then I will better know how it deals with heat when I push it hard.
I do have one question. TRUE HD vs Uncompressed PCM Isn't the PCM track "better"?
Update: I watched Spiderman 3 last night and the PCM track was stunning. More importantly the unit ran cool the entire time and I only have about 3 inches above, and 2 inches to each side. I put my hands all over it after the 2 hour and 20min movie at reference level volumes and it was a little warm but not even close to HOT!
