The bottom line for me is this - Martin Grindrod is an accomplished electronics designer and has done some excellent products over the years which have generally shown themselves to be reliable and consistent ("the" CD player aside and that was a mechanical issue and early S2000 failures were usually transformers I recall).
Where speakers are concerned, AVI could be accused of taking too much of a "measurement rules" approach. However, this approach never stopped the likes of Quad and Radford making some wonderful products in the past.
In this case, and like the above revered manufacturers of old, AVI tried baffle-step and found the pros of NOT using it outweighed the possibly slightly leaner tones thus produced. As it is, the response as specified for the ADM9 (within +/- 2db from 80 - 20k+) is still a good result and enables the speakers to be used close to walls, as often found in UK domestic environments. I believe the ADM40 has an 18L enclosuer contained within the carcass as a whole. Increasing this volume to the 42L apparently suggested as the max for this driver may well mess up the bass and future sub integration for all I know.
As for the amps, there has been some "spin" produced on the specs IMO (and Ash and I have clashed
most vociferously on this aspect of the ADM9 "promotion" as he will attest to), but the end result is that there is a pretty honest claim of 108db continuous across the bandwidth, so whatever the "actual" continuous rating of the internal amps really is, they seem to do the job ok without drawing huge attention to themselves.
The DAC
CHIPS may well all measure the same, but obviously it's the analogue stage after which can change things, together with the supply, as I've found regarding the ubiquitous and humble 5532 Op Amp so often used. get the bloody supply wrong/inadequate even for this and you can easily hear the result I've found. Ash types the way he speaks - rapid fire - and maybe the exact meaning doesn't come across. Both models have analogue inputs for those who wish to use an external preamp able to drive the long interconnects needed, bypassing the digital inputs. Optical was recommended for AVI's because Ash suggested that some computers put all sorts out of their electrical connections, not just the digits needed, and an optical connection electrically isolates one from t'other...
So, doing speakers AVI's way tends to throw all response and final listening demands on the drivers used, rather than any "antsy-art" in crossover design-tuning, especially with their now discontinued passive models. I currently have some Pro Nines which I just cannot currently get on with, so lean is their presentation. I previously had some N5's which were, to me, even worse (like refined Kans IMO). I did however, like the Neutron 4's and ancestors very much and should add that the removal of "baffle step" was probably carried out on the old Positron floor-stander they did back in the 90's. They could get away with this because the main driver was so well behaved. I personally prefer the current "BBC derived" way of doing things, finding the artfully tweaked Harbeth range very much to my liking, although I appreciate that ADM lovers may not like the fuller presentation. What I DON'T agree with is the accusation that ALL passive speakers boom and that the warmth of the current Harbeth range is all distortion (it most certainly isn't IMO).
One of the driver reviews linked to from early in this thread was of a descendant of the Vifa wood-chip coned unit used in the Pro-Nine and IIRC, much of their findings are audible to a slight extent. The units used in the ADM40 must have made Martin's job far easier, since they appear to be excellent in their own right, needing just basic and sensible LR crossover slopes to work properly together.
Finally the cabinets - the fact that they look bland to some is probably the best thing they could be, since they're not intended to shout how wonderful the owner is with his latest bling-box. They'll just sit in the room, doing their job, and hopefully for many years, without ever really drawing attention to themselves, as a multi box alternative would. -7db at 47Hz is enough extension for most people I think.
I don't agree with the exaggerated spin put on these products, but neither do I like to see the personal attacks either. None of this ever does the actual designer any favours. A shame in a way that he tends to avoid forums - sensible chap
As for me, I'll stick with me piles of vintage boxes and smile at those lusting over ATC actives. been there, done it and am still happy with what I have currently. The owner of the 100A's I once owned and loved passed away a few weeks ago, so I doubt I'll ever hear them again now.....
P.S. Why am I doing this? I just don't like to see otherwise good products run down just because some individuals have "issues" with Ashley, that's all... At least the drivers on the 40's should be available for many years to come with any luck since they're offered to all and not just custom ones.
