ADA Mach 4......WOW!!!! - Page 36

By the ISO program, I'm assuming you mean the IP control setup program?

I will not pretend that I am well versed with that particular piece of software, I've avoided it like the plague.

I've said this before, I'm sure I'll say it again: I have N E V E R had a problem using the ISO-CATII box and a usb-to-serial adaptor - it's all I will use, because my connection has to work the first time, every time.

check the 'bay for an ISO-CAT II box weekly, they do pop up from time to time

Dan

BTW, you don't happen to have an old XP disc around at all do you? You might try loading a second OS to the machine- only to see if it works.

I think the Windows 7 issues may be due to the version people are running. IIRC you need the Ultimate version because some of the other versions don't include the VB runtime and .net framework.

You can download these seperately and it should fix any problems in Win7.

Googling the error code you get when trying to connect or run the apps helped me way back when I had issues but GrahamMG reminded me recently it was due to these elememts of Windows 7 being missing.

XP Pro is the bullet proof Windows version of course but I haven't had any problems with Win7 Ultimate in either 32bit or 64bit. I think I had problems with Home Premium but don't know if Professional also has the files missing I mentioned.

I hope this helps anyone struggling, let me know if not and I'll try and find out more.

Adam

Well Thanks Angel. It is a bit frustrating. I will review the cheat sheet that Tom sent me and try get this going but if ll it is is the VB runtime and .net framework then it is manageable.

Cheers

Peter, are you trying out a Mach IV?

Hi Jeff,
No just a suite 7.1 3D. The 2d to 3d converter delays the picture by a couple of frames so I need to adjust the lip synch delay urgently..

Hi, Jeff,
When listening to 2-channel music, assuming digital input, what's your experience about the comparison between ada and halcro ssp220? Whos' better? Thanks.

Although you didn't ask me, I have owned both and will offer another opinion.

While I loved the Halcro sound (but hated the user interface), I think the ADA sounds at least as good and possibly a little better than the Halcro. Very difficult decision without an A-B comparison. Would love to try it but my Halcro is dead.

+1 on sonics but I have a dedicated theater with speakers behins the screen and do very little 2 ch listening. The Halcro was very, very good.

is there a way of inputting 6-8 multi-channel sacd analog audio by ganging the 4 stereo pairs in the suite 71.?

I do not believe so. I didn't see that anywhere in any set up guide or set up tutorial.

No, analog inputs for outboard decoding would be labeled "7.1 analog inputs". The Rhapsody has those inputs in both the balanced and unbalanced versions. They must have run out of real estate on the suite 7.1HD. If they are there, I would think they would be near the ethernet/ADA Bus and power cord- prob just left of that.

Dan

uhm...

No dice for you- the 7.1 HD contains the digital inputs where I was thinking the analog bypass inputs would be. No analog bypass on 7.1 HD.

Dan

Thanks Dan, will use doremi ghx 10 to convert 8 channel dolby cinema server audio to hdmi.

This DCI/HT crossover business is crazy!!!

sounds like it


I'm not there yet, but at least I know who to call...

Dan

Thank you for your opinions, Perfectionist2 and Jeff.

Using digital input can save a lot spent on DAC + pre-amp since ADA plays 2-ch music so well.

it looks like the main advantage [if balanced interconnects is not a must have] the Rap has is the ability to play with the crossovers using the parametric eq.

right or wrong?

wrong; both have the ability to PEQ - it's built-in. The Rhap has the second, analog crossover for full-range fronts plus LFE. Honestly, the extra size is the biggest advantage to the Rhap- it gives the space for more inputs, etc.

there is zero difference in sound, just connectivity and what's already been stated.

does that clear some things up?

Dan

Hey guys,

I heard and read that ADA was really great for HT use but not for 2CH music.
As my own use is 60% HT & 40% 2 CH music, do you think I should go with a Classé SSP 800 ?

What's your experience about the comparison ?

I've also a Cary Audio cinema 11a in my short list. It's an amazing product in term of sound quality.
The Cary processor is twice less expensive and should be considered (since hdmi bugs were fixed with the last firmware).

So: Cary , Ada or Classé ?

Be objective guys :-D

2-Ch?? What's that?? Never tried it... but I can vouch for the HT performance.

No critical music in my theater... as it's a theater (and my speakers are behind a screen).

2 CH = 2 chanels stereo = HiFi use

I am really pleased with the ADA for 2 Channel, way better than the Processors I tried before but I have not heard the Classe or Cary.

Hi,

Thanks for this first reply.
Many of new AVPs are built in a modular architecture (Classé, Lex., Bryston, ..).
What does it mean ?

That means :

1 - DSP can be upgradable (add new/futures audio codecs ).
2 - DSP is removable (not enough powerful to make the job).
3 - Boards can be added or replaced for new/futures i/o connections.

D/A and A/D stuff is not something wich can make some huge progress with time.
Several old AVPs (10y old) are able to make a really good D/A or A/d convertion (as good as current products).

I know (3) is not possible on ADA products but what about (1) and (2) ?

Is now ADA Mach 4 B shipped out with HDMI 1.4 card inside or is it still a paying option ?
In EU price is €8500 (USD11500).... Same price as a classe audio SSP 800 or Krell S1200 :-S

Absolutely incorrect as MACH IV Bs that shipped with HDMI 1.3 can be upgraded to HDMI 1.4 via a board change...

Joel

It's true but only possible for the HDMI board.
Anyway, new units are now shipped out with the latest HDMI 1.4 board inside.

In my opinion, there is no way for a Mach IV to replace audio cards (DAC or DSP) inside or to update the DSP to deal with futures audio codecs.

The right term is "modular architecture". Primare, Lex, Classé, Theta, Bryston understood that. No need to buy a new product, just need to upgrade it according to changes in the audio industry.

I MUST disagree with you for the following reasons:

1. ADA has changed DSP chips in the past and even in the MACH IV B...thye latest change was to correct a PLIIx issue.

2. Modular design is no guarantee...I owned a Meridian 861 V4...when Meridian came out with the V6, I had to buy a whole new unit...hence I dumped the unit and went with ADA...why spend mega bucks for modular architecture when little / nothing is delivered...

I hope this helps...

Unless you buy a "card cage" design then modular upgrades will always be limited.

Hi Joel,

1 -The change you mention is between Mach III and Mach IV units, that's right ? I don't think they (ADA) make some changes on the Mach IV(or 7.1 HD) as it's 1y old product.
Glad to see Ada uses new chipsets available on market when they release new products range. This is not something surprising, manufacturers are all do the same :-)

2 - Modular design is limited, I agree. But some manufacturers make things very well from my point of view. Let's take Theta as exemple with their DAC cards or video/hdmi card output. This make owner happy because he has not to pay full price of the unit to be up-to-date.

But anyway, some of you will get to think I don't like ADA... And this is wrong.
This is a famous brand with a unique know-how.
Few companies have managed the transition with the HDMI.
--> Sherbourn : I never heard so many hdmi issues... Same for Cary, Classé, ... Even if they fixed most of the part of their issues.

The is no plop or scratch issues when using ADA units !!

Current ADA owners I know are from Meridian, Lexicon, Anthem world and they will never back again to these brands as ADA sounds very well.
For them, ADA is the best choice and the best value for money.

Correct me if I'm wrong but ADA Machi IV or 7.1 HD units use 1 chipset for DSP operations and 1 chipset for DA AD conversion.
We usually hear (from the other brands or press), it s always better to have 1 DAC per channel and several chipsets for DSP operations (to handle XXXX MIPS).

What do you think about these statements ?
Is it possible to know what is inside Ada units in term of DAC and DSP (number, type) ?

No...the change was with in the MACH IV...




I have to respectfully disagree with this...consider the two most modular units:

a. Meridian...I purchased a Meridian 861V4 and a Meridian 800V4 in the 2005 time frame with the promise of modularity and upgradability forbig bucks...the 861V4 to 861V6 upgrade was priced at USD 15,000 while the 800V4 has NEVER been upgraded and, as a DVD player, is easily bettered...

The Meridian investment, FOR ME, was a terrible decision with big dollars spent and no benefit received...

b. Theta...I will only point out that their development cycle is loooooooooong, having just come out with the HDMI solution... I will let my good friend Jeff [i.e. thebland] jump in and add to this...




Richard_ADA, Dan Francis or others are better suited to answer thos questions...

I can't say that I know the particulars, I have been told- but cannot for the life of me remember. Honestly, I don't care- Albert Langella has used the parts he's chosen extremely well in my opinion, and you know what, it works and sounds great!

I've said this before; until you more than double the cost of the Rhapsody, you cannot find a processor that sounds markedly (if at all) better. So any discussion to particular DSP chips or DAC chips is akin to "picking more nits than a bunch of spider monkeys" - a lovely quote from the ever-eloquent Dennis Miller.

The bottom line is that the Rhapsody and the Suite 7.1HD work, and do so very reliably...and in my line of work that's more important than boutique parts. I consider ADA to be very blue-collar workhorse product - I can count on it to be there for me when I need it. I strongly recommend AGAINST going down the path of specmanship, it is a losing battle- no one wins.

Dan