Digital Processor Reviews

StormAudio ISP Evo immersive sound preamp/processor Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital sources: Oppo Digital UDP-103 universal disc player, Custom Intel/Win11 music server running JRiver Media Center v31 and Roon, Merging Hapi II, exaSound s88 Mark II, and Okto DAC8 Pro D/A processors. QNAP TVS-873 NAS.
Preamplifier: Coleman Audio 7.1SW for balanced DAC-to-amp switching.
Power amplifiers: Benchmark AHB2, NAD C 298.
Loudspeakers: KEF Blade 2 Meta (L/C/R) with IsoAcoustics Gaia II feet, Revel Performa3 f206 (SL/SR). 2 JL Audio e110 and 1 SVS SB-3000 subwoofers.
Cables: Digital cables: AudioQuest Coffee (USB). Analog interconnects: Mogami Gold AES TD DB25-XLR snake, Benchmark Studio&Stage XLR-XLR. Speaker cables: Benchmark Studio&Stage, Blue Jeans Canare 4S11.
Accessories: Furman Elite-15 DM I, Brick-Wall BrickWall 8RAUD, and CyberPower 850PFCLCD UPS power conditioners, Teddy Pardo 12V PS (for exaSound s88), HDPlex 300W Linear Power Supply and AC filter (for server).
Listening room: 24' L × 14' W × 8' H, furnished with custom-built 9" × 12" × 40" and 2" × 12" × 48" absorbent panels in each front corner. Sidewalls lateral to L/R speakers have 2" thick, 2' wide floor-to-ceiling OC 705 panels. Front wall has large windows partly covered by insulated fabric drapes. Rear of room opens into 10' × 7' foyer and a 12' × 8' dining area.—Kalman Rubinson

COMPANY INFO
StormAudio
8 Rue del la Rabotiere
44800 Saint-Herblain
France
info@stormaudio.com
+33 2 49 62 30 49
stormaudio.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on March 14, 2024 - 12:42pm

I want this Storm and a full array of Genelec powered speakers. I hope the Storm will be at a show this year.

The DL-Art circuit alone reads like restoration technology from a nearby galaxy. I also like the statement about envelopment vs. immersion. Visual.

His insights into Dolby Atmos' various configurations lend a needed perspective to the discussion from a few months ago. Another killer review and I always feel Kal is always one step ahead of the rest of us luddites.

thethanimal's picture
Submitted by thethanimal on March 14, 2024 - 1:18pm

Kal, can you clarify what benefit the ISP Evo brings over the ISP Core 16, beyond the ability to choose your own DAC? As I type, I realize now the Evo has 32 channels of processing, but of course that's far beyond what even most "power users" would utilize. The Core 16 looks like it could do all your Arvus/Evo/Hapi chain can do, with what I imagine is only a small delta of the built-in DACs vs. the Hapi.

To Glotz's point above, all you'd need is some XLR cables to some Genelec 8040s, and you're in the high-end Atmos game for the same price as just the ISP Evo. Or is there another key differentiator I'm missing?

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on March 15, 2024 - 5:55am

Sure, the Core 16 would probably have worked. The EVO was chosen for this review because I wanted to experience a full implementation of DIRAC-ART and Storm Audio suggested the EVO. That fit well with my system because it could easily connect with my HAPI via Ravenna.

I love the prospect of network-based connectivity and am working to implement it in my system now. Discrete wiring of multiple components becomes daunting as the channel count rises.

thethanimal's picture
Submitted by thethanimal on March 18, 2024 - 9:23am

This article has ignited my tech nerd side. Looks like with the PoE/AoIP options a full "rack" for streaming would consist of nothing more than an Apple TV, this ISP Evo, and a network switch -- then just Cat 6 cables to suitable powered speakers.

In your Ravenna system, it looks like the Trinnov Amplitude16 would be a good fit. ICEpower similar to your NAD C 298 for 16 channels with DB25 connectors or optional AoIP. Could one box replace your Benchmark/NAD stack? The Class AB vs Class D purists would say no...

All a mental exercise for me right now, as space and funds don't allow a multichannel set-up for now. My only experience with Atmos vs. stereo is on my in-laws' mid-fi Sony/Klipsch theater set-up, where the difference was marginal. I'd love to hear something like that Genelec demo.

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on March 20, 2024 - 3:45pm

I am thinking that way, too, and have distributed CAT6 to all my speaker locations. However, I have not yet found compatible speakers to my taste and a multichannel amp, like the Trinnov, is an inefficient way to distribute to widely distributed speakers.

Quote:

Could one box replace your Benchmark/NAD stack?

Possibly but why? Is there a comparable MCH amp that is smaller/lighter? Besides, I can run 4 channels of line output over a single CAT6. ;-)

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