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Proceed AVP and AVP2 upgrade

Currently own an Acurus ACT III processor, but use a Resolution Audio CD55 run balanced direct into power amp for music listening. I've had the Proceed AVP in my system for a few days on a trail run. It's a good buy, and sounds great in DD. The AVP2 upgrade path is open - which would be a good investment if it will give me better music performance. Anyone out there who can comment on the AVP2's musicality? Does the Levinson Mk40 "trickle down" technology make a substantial difference? (My transport/DVD player is a Sony DVDP-7000, and speakers are Thiel 2.3)
rsuminsby
mchd1
93 posts
 
I have an AVP and have wondered the same thing myself. There is a review at www.audioreview.com under Proceed AVP that is really a review of the Proceed AVP2. The person that wrote it had an AVP upgraded to an AVP2 and was very pleased with the results. It is a $2500 upgrade and some dealers may not be comfortable doing the work so you may have to send it back to Madrigal.
burra
14 posts
 
I had the AVP --> AVP2 upgrade done.

You get a few nice features with the upgrade (DPL II, better bass management, DTS-ES, etc).

You also get a noticeable increase in sound fidelity. This is most obvious with 2-channel music, including DAC functionality. In fact, I sold my Mark-Levinson No.36s after getting the AVP2 upgrade because the AVP2 (IMO) did a better job w/ DAC functionality than the No.36s (the AVP was never this good w/ 2-channel music DAC).

All in all, a very positive improvement.

The biggest negative (if you already have an AVP) is that you do not get any additional connections. The fact that there is only 1 toslink connection is a major pain (XBox and DSS receiver both utilize toslink).
rsuminsby's avatar
rsuminsby OP
152 posts
 
Burra - thanks fo the info...I've been running a seperate DVD and CD player setup, but if the AVP2 upgrade can give me better music using a single transport, it seems like a good route to go. I've been fairly impressed with the limited amount of listening I've done so far, just with the AVP. Sounds like improving 2-ch was a priority in the AVP2 design.
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