Hi, I'd like to chime in on the XT vs XT32 comparisons (only brief, still have a lot of listening to do) and maybe get some answers on another issue with my setup. First the equipment. I had (still have) an NAD T-785 AVR with the AS-EQ1 setup (so XT with equivalent XT32 setup for the subs). This setup sounded pretty awesome, especially in the bass range. I purchased the Denon A100 (XT32 based) mostly for both the Audyssey upgrade (love Audyssey products, this will be my 5th one) and the other options (network capability, etc.). As for the AVR's Amp stage, I feel that I down graded (the NAD has two toroid trannys and the unit weighs 16lbs more than the Denon). I can really tell when playing at reference levels, but not at low to moderate levels (at reference, I used to be able to hit 109db on the peaks, with the Denon, only 105db). This is most likely to speakers that are not that efficient.
Now for the comparison (subjective at the moment, need to do some measurements to see what's happening), the XT32 seems to be much 'brighter', it seems to be boosting the treble much higher than the XT. Wondering if it was a mic problem, I used a mic from another Denon receiver I have (same model, so I assume it's calibrated the same way). I got the same results. The blending of the mid/treble range is incredible, but I'm just not used to the increase in level compared to the rest of the spectrum. Is this normal behavior or am I getting strange results? I did run the 8 series of mic positions several times and got the same results (and then compared them to the NAD XT version just to confirm). The XT32 over all gives a sense of greater envelopment than the XT version. I tried many movies that I've seen several times on the previous system and felt the same way. I have not tried the DSX capabilities yet (wides/heights) as my room is too small to accommodate them).
As for the subs, I have another issue here. I'm using two subs, so did run the A100 with the 2 sub setup. When done, I seemed to have lost some bass (the sound is good, just 4 db lower than with the NAD/AS-EQ1 setup at the reference level). So, I wanted to check if the issue was with the way the A100 leveled the subs (taking into account coupling from 2 subs). I went ahead and put the AS-EQ1 in the chain, calibrated the AS-EQ1, then re-calibrated the A100 with the new setup. Yep, got the 4db back. This seems strange as the levels should be the same without the AS-EQ1 in the link. I re-calibrated the system again a couple times with and without the AS-EQ1 and got the same results every time (in fact, when I went back to calibrating the A100 without the AS-EQ1, it mentioned that the subs were too hot and had to drop each one by a couple db before moving onto calibration, when I went back to the AS-EQ1, I had to bump up each sub by the same amount to hit the 75db requirement). I 'really' wanted not to have to use the AS-EQ1 in the system (one of the reasons for getting the A100), but at the moment, it sounds better with it in the chain (even if I bump up the A100 sub levels to match when the AS-EQ1 is not in the system). I wonder if this is because of the additional EQ being done in the sub range by the A100 on top of the AS-EQ1 (I do have a dip in the 30Hz range that is not fully taken care of with the AS-EQ1, due to room dimensions). Also, I do use the 32 positions when calibrating the AS-EQ1. The A100 is limited to the 8 positions, so may be part of the 'sounding different' portions, but not the levels - this one is puzzling me.
Another question, will purchasing the Pro kit change this difference? If so, I can remove the AS-EQ1 from the system.
Ray
Now for the comparison (subjective at the moment, need to do some measurements to see what's happening), the XT32 seems to be much 'brighter', it seems to be boosting the treble much higher than the XT. Wondering if it was a mic problem, I used a mic from another Denon receiver I have (same model, so I assume it's calibrated the same way). I got the same results. The blending of the mid/treble range is incredible, but I'm just not used to the increase in level compared to the rest of the spectrum. Is this normal behavior or am I getting strange results? I did run the 8 series of mic positions several times and got the same results (and then compared them to the NAD XT version just to confirm). The XT32 over all gives a sense of greater envelopment than the XT version. I tried many movies that I've seen several times on the previous system and felt the same way. I have not tried the DSX capabilities yet (wides/heights) as my room is too small to accommodate them).
As for the subs, I have another issue here. I'm using two subs, so did run the A100 with the 2 sub setup. When done, I seemed to have lost some bass (the sound is good, just 4 db lower than with the NAD/AS-EQ1 setup at the reference level). So, I wanted to check if the issue was with the way the A100 leveled the subs (taking into account coupling from 2 subs). I went ahead and put the AS-EQ1 in the chain, calibrated the AS-EQ1, then re-calibrated the A100 with the new setup. Yep, got the 4db back. This seems strange as the levels should be the same without the AS-EQ1 in the link. I re-calibrated the system again a couple times with and without the AS-EQ1 and got the same results every time (in fact, when I went back to calibrating the A100 without the AS-EQ1, it mentioned that the subs were too hot and had to drop each one by a couple db before moving onto calibration, when I went back to the AS-EQ1, I had to bump up each sub by the same amount to hit the 75db requirement). I 'really' wanted not to have to use the AS-EQ1 in the system (one of the reasons for getting the A100), but at the moment, it sounds better with it in the chain (even if I bump up the A100 sub levels to match when the AS-EQ1 is not in the system). I wonder if this is because of the additional EQ being done in the sub range by the A100 on top of the AS-EQ1 (I do have a dip in the 30Hz range that is not fully taken care of with the AS-EQ1, due to room dimensions). Also, I do use the 32 positions when calibrating the AS-EQ1. The A100 is limited to the 8 positions, so may be part of the 'sounding different' portions, but not the levels - this one is puzzling me.
Another question, will purchasing the Pro kit change this difference? If so, I can remove the AS-EQ1 from the system.
Ray