Opinions On Ampzilla Trinaural Processor?

I just spent several hours this afternoon going through numerous, varied CDs, so I feel I have a much better grasp of what the TRI has to offer. Also, I've had the house to myself, so I was allowed to turn the volume to a great listening level for orchestra demos.

Compared to multi channel formats -

I've yet to find a multi channel disk that I feel does a good job at recreating a live performance - isn't that what it's all about? Yes, some multi channel setups/disks sound "cool," but ultimately they seem to fall far short of recreating the feeling of a live experience. This is where the TRI really seems to shine.

It brings me closer to a live experience. There is currently a depth/realism to my setup that I didn't think was possible. Female vocals and jazz sets have really been unbelievable thus far. I find myself simply being "drawn into" the music itself. The soundstage is huge, but once again it's the depth of the music that is really blowing me away.

Orchestra pieces -

Turning up the volume to my normal listening level has greatly helped "fill in" the soundstage. The TRI has basically given me the orchestra in my room. Yes, my small speakers fall short of giving me the "impact" of the orchestra, but it is the imaging/detail which is really stellar with the TRI. I can actually distinguish between the sections of instruments in the orchestra on well recorded disks.

Going from 2 channel -

I really don't see how I'm going to go back to my two channel set up. Crap! It's going to be at least a year until I piece together my new system, so I'll just have to make due until then. I honestly didn't think I would like it this much, so the fact that I wouldn't be able to purchase it for a year really didn't concern me.

There has been a lot of talk about "getting use" to the sound of the TRI. Again, for female vocals and jazz I didn't need any time to fall in love with the sound. When this thing won at CES last year the judges didn't have time to "get use" to the sound, did they?

Cons -

Honestly, on many disks I have found the TRI to be pure magic. This "effect" hasn't been universal, though. The TRI is really dependent upon the recording engineer on your CD. A couple of CDs have simple turned out strange. This has been rare.

I feel I need to give a quick plug for the dealer who was so kind to let me have a week with the TRI. Julian Turner over at Sedona Sky Sound: www.sedonaskysound.com

Hope this helps...

I've had this piece in my system for about 3 days now. A dealer gave it to me for the week just to play around with. I currently have VMPS 626Rs with a LRC across the front.

I've known about Trinaural for about a year now, but never really thought about using it. I'm in law school at the moment, and I've had the system I plan on buying next year when I graduate planned out for awhile now. The Trinaural has completely changed my plans.

Intially, I've found it simply amazing with solo vocals. The center channel gives off the impression of a strong center image without seeming too "beamy." The sides really then help bring out the background music. I've noticed tons of musical qualities on many CDs that simply seemed lost before. There is a new "depth" to cuts from the likes of Norah Jones and Eleanor McEvoy. It honestly didn't take me any getting use to for simply vocals.

Large orchestra pieces have taken some getting use to, though. Sounds, initially, didn't have the same smooth flow across the front array that I had hoped for or that I had experienced with vocals. I feel the center channel feels hot most of the time, but I haven't had the chance to get "adjusted" to the sound much yet. I've found imaging to be AMAZING with the Trinaural. Instruments no longer seem lost in a sea of sound. I still experience a "gap" between the speakers with orchestra cuts, but I'm assuming this will fade over time. Who knows though...

That's my quick two minute review before I head out the door. I'll write more when I get the chance.

Throw any question at me you wish...

The points raised about the benefits of staying within the digital domain are by far my greatest concerns with this unit.

Though I love what the Tri P has done of my current system, I will likely go with a heavily modded all in one digital receiver using the digital out of a modded universal player next year when I spend some serious money. Digial receivers have made great leaps as of late, and will likely do so even more in the year to come. This will allow me to spend even more on my main speakers.

I feel the greatest benefit of the Tri P is is frees up the side speakers from having to create a phantom center image. This really lets them "breathe" and spend time focusing on the elements of music that most of the time may simply be lost.

I will be buying either the VMPS RM40s or E/Xs next year, and I really feel both of these speakers are capable of handling the complexities of most music on their own.

The all digital age in audio is upon us, and I feel I should move forward with my next purchase rather than staying behind in analog. The Tri P is a great product and has really made my current system sound fantastic. But onward to all digital I go.

Just my two cents...

If I was staying with analog this item would be a no brainer for me. In fact, I was listening to it today - have to take it back on Thursday - thinking just how much I was going to miss it.

Just when I think I've finally made up my mind the Tri P does some magic with some of my favorite recordings. I guess I have a full year to make my decision.

Must.....go....digital....can't....look...back....

I'll probably go digital, but I guess the pure digital route will really have to blow me away to keep me from going with this type of set up.