DA. It sounds like you still have software 4.XX. Drop me an email so we can discuss your EAD.
cnichol@erols.com

Great sounding pre/pro. Very accurate in 3D portrait of sound stage and good tonal balance. To my ears, it is much better sounding than the Proceed AVP in both sound stage reproduction and musicality. Since I do not have to adjust it once it is set up, the strange remote and display symbles does not bother me. As I use it mostly on music listening, this is a perfect pre/pro for me. One thing I do notice is that the digital flywheel is very picky in what you use to feed it. You need a very good transport. A lesser cd player (I tried Cambridge Audio CD6) or dvd player (I tried Panasonic DVD K510) will cause it to "unlock" and produce a pause and then a "pop" when it re-"lock" on the signal. I now use the Sonic Frontier transport and it works find. I have the unit for about 9 months now and have no complain. I plan to upgrade to the Signature model later this year when the 24/96 bit decoder becomes available.

going from a yamaha dsp a1 to a nakamichi ca1 dts to the ovation is like going from hell to heaven.mind you the nak was a very nice sounding pre/pro.i auditioned this unit against the theta casinova ,lexicon mc1.for what the lexicon cost and the fact it has no anlog pass through i find it very hard to believe this is such a popular unit.more dsps.yes lightyears ahead of yamaha but it is still dsps and unatural.the theta and ovaion were neck and neck.both were beatiful sounding units in 2 channel.somehow the ovation just sounded sweeter and warmer than the theta.all these pre/pros were auditioned on von schweikert vr4s which i bought.there are no buttons on this unit(besides the power button).everything is run via the remote control. as for ht use,again it is hard to find a flaw.dts works flawlessly.the dd,and prologic are excellent and the ovation automaticaly detects what type of signal is being sent.bass management is a charm as is the speaker crossover.just about avery bell and whistle is on this unit.an average consumer may have a hard time configuring the ovation.some may consider the lack of on screen graphics a minus,but to me the manual was very thorough and setup was relatively easy.
with the autosetup feature there is no need for a noise meter as there is mic provided that does all your volume and speaker distance.overall this is a stellar unit with unsurpassed sound.i could not be more happy with my investment.

After reading glowing review after glowing review about this unit, I had decided to take it for a test spin at home.
Build Quality:
Probably one of the most beautiful components I have ever handled or seen; very sturdy build as well. As my friend put it "That blue backlight is just TOO cool!" I had to agree. I was a little disappointed about the single toslink connection. I own a 200 CD changer and a DSS receiver that only have toslink outs. bummer...

Setting UP:
I hooked up my Paradigm Active 20s using the balanced outputs and the rest of my speakers (Active CC-450/Servo 15/ADP 450) via the provided RCA interconnects.
Setting up the Ovation, however, turned out to be much easier than I would have first thought. The auto calibration feature is priceless, (though I still had to manually set my subwoofer level.) I saved my settings (you can save up to 10 different settings!) and I was ready to go.

Ergonomics & Usability:
Thank God I have the RC-5000 remote because using this Rotel universal remote frustrates the heck out of me. It is very cumbersome to use especially in the dark. The problem is that when you touch the remote to light it up, it activates the command on the LCD you pressed but there is NO other way to light up the remote. (I suppose I could get off my duff and turn on the lights but...).
Beyond those minor complaints, the Ovation is relatively easy to use once you can get accustomed to its UI (user interface).

The First and MOST important hurdle: STEREO
I have auditioned several preamps before having a chance to listen to the EAD Ovation (the dealer didn't have an Encore) - including the Sunfire Theater Grand, B&K Ref 20, Lexicon DC-2, Acurus Act-3, & Marantz AV-9000. (Note: my comparison to these units are based on the price I am being offered for the Ovation: $3500). As far as pure stereo performance went, the EAD Ovation left all these contenders in the dust. The closest competition I have heard was the Mcintosh MX-132 but that preamp has no bass management in stereo and costs thousands more so this was not an applicable choice for my needs.
The sound is a more laid back kind of sound. Oooh and detail detail detail...I could hear guitar strings, drum snare, and beautiful melodic voices that I have never heard before. A pleasant surprise was when I discovered I actually own a few HDCDs. When using the internal DACs of the Ovation, it automatically sensed the HDCDs and boy, they sounded great! Even my girlfriend, a "casual" listener at best, noticed a difference right away! (This was a GOOD sign. An omen.) =)

MOVIES!
When decoding DVD digital material, my home theater set-up was more seemless than I could have ever imagined. Again, more detail in voices, background sound effects and especially a vast improvement with music tracks. Whether it was Pro-logic/Dolby Digital/Dolby Stereo, the performance was spectacular.

My Vote:
ERGONOMICS: 3 stars
BUILD QUALITY: 4 stars
PERFORMANCE: 5++ stars
FEATURES: 4.5 stars
VALUE: 5 stars

Needless to say, I am going back to my dealer and telling him that I will be purchasing this unit. =) I really can't give it less than 5 stars because of the outstandig value of this unit when you consider price/super performance. Sure, the remote sucks but do what I did, buy a different, better one!

I got my Theater Master Ovation on March, 1998. This was a few months after the very first units left the factory.Back then I was searching for a preamp/processor in order to start building my stereo/home theater system. I was looking for the very best price/performance compromise. But unfortunately where I live there are no dealers in which I could audition high end surround processors. So I had to base my decision simply on reviews of the specialized press, specifications of the products and on the background of each manufacturer.
I was very lucky to find out about this small American high-end company, Enlightened Audio Designs, which has earned my deepest admiration.
First I learned they were the first company to deliver Dolby Digital, HDCD and DTS to the consumer market. This really impressed me and it is a unmistakable sign of the talent and resources EAD has gathered over the years.
After that I got familiar with the reputation of the marque’s digital-to-analog converters. I read rave reviews from the specialized press from all over the world, praising the unique virtues of their classic digital processors. (Stereophile’s reference was, and quite possibly still is, the 9000 DS-Pro). The reason for this is that EAD really stresses on the electronic design details that truly make a difference, more than any other manufacturer that I know of (in my view, only comparable to Britain’s dCS). And best of all EAD has managed to bring these unique design details to their new Theater Master Line.
I was mighty impressed by their hybrid digital/analog volume control. This technology brings up the best of both worlds: the low cost of a digital attenuator and the unparalleled quality of a switched resistive array analog control. It allows EAD to use the highest quality metal film resistors at a reasonable price. What they do is to use a resistor for each 6dB step and achieve the minor adjustments in the digital domain, never losing more than 1 bit of resolution (which in a 20 bit system will never degrade sound). This array is much better than the analog volume control used by other pre/pros and is comparable to what you will find in Jeff Rowland analog preamplifiers.
EAD’s Acculinear design philosophy is also worth to mention. It allows better transient response at the current-to-voltage stage than common integrated circuits and greater speed than the exotic discrete designs of some overpriced stand alone stereo processors. This is critical in the construction of the analog waveform, as closely as possible to the original signal and rejecting any digital signature.
At that time there was no other surround processor with a reclocking circuit, and that holds true today. The Theater Master achieves an unheard of digital source and interconnect insensitivity in its class. An anti-jitter circuit is crucial to achieve the highest possible digital resolution. With out it is unlikely to get 16 bits of resolution from CD’s and other sources. We all know that the differences we hear among digital cables and transports are related solely to jitter ( because ones and zero’s are always ones and zeroes, timing errors are the culprits). EAD’s Digital Flywheel gives the user the freedom to choose any moderately priced transport and digital cable without worrying about messing up the sound.
Also, Theater Masters are modular and software driven, making them fully upgradeable, without the cost and complexity of open architecture designs with sliding circuit boards. The buses these designs require are not the best choice as much as sound quality is concerned (less is best).
All these factors were enough for me to make the decision in favor of the TM Ovation.
When I got the unit I was stunned by the overall fit and finish. I know that looks are a subjective call, but for me it is the best looking pre/pro, even the circuit boards are beautiful (can be seen through the vents). It has the highest quality, heavy-duty RCA post not seen in Meridian, Proceed and Lexicon gear. The display is very effective, and agree with EAD to forgo an onscreen display. Many people disagree, but I see an onscreen display as a temptation to make layer upon layer of menus that only worsen the user interface. And I don’t have to turn on the TV to make an adjustment while auditioning a CD. In general, I find the ergonomics very good for a technically complex unit as it is.
EAD’s Autosetup provides effective calibration of speaker levels and delays, excepting the subwoofer. This is reasonable because the subwoofer is very sensitive to the room size, construction and placement.
The sound quality of this unit in stereo mode is what seduced me most during my first audition. Having myself a large collection of CD’s, this is a great advantage. And with discrete surround material, EAD’s leadership in surround decoding is apparent. Theater Masters also include a Matrix mode for derived surround from stereo sources. Matrix mode is fine but EAD stresses more on the highest quality stereo reproduction and not on DSP and ambient recovering , obviously the best way to go. (It's better to wait for DVD-audio).
I was very happy when quite a few months later I started to read the rave reviews these Theater Masters where receiving . The Signature model was ranked by SGHT among the three best stereo preamps on existence. Definitively I was not wrong with my decision.
EAD has made many software updates since the first units came out. For example, Autosetup now has phase correction for the speakers.
Keeping with their tradition, EAD hopes to be the first manufacturer to offer a DVD-Audio upgrade for the Theater Master line, as soon as the firewire format is finalized. I can hardly wait!
Five stars without a doubt.

Sound Quality, Build Quality, Asthetics

The most important aspect of any piece of audio equipment is sound... and this unit sounds superb! Music, Movies, HDCD, DD, DTS...

Set-up was very easy... Just read the manual!

Give it a look... then give it a listen...

I now believe in the impact a good pre-amp can have on a system...

Details

None

About three months ago I purchased the EAD Ovation Plus to upgrade from my Classe SSP-25. As other reviewers have stated most of the previous problems with the unit have been fixed-clicking, whining and a very poor remote. While I was not able to audition the unit before purchase I was thrilled with the sound once I set it up in my system. It truly exceeded my expectations. The sound I feel is very uncolored with lots of detail and air around the music. I was surprised at how much improvement the processor made to my system(Aerial 10T's, Aerial CC3 center, Sunfire Signiture sub, KEF 104.2 rears, Pioneer DV-09, PowerMaster 2000 amp). I auditioned the Proceed AVP in my home and was not impressed. I also listened to the Theata in dealer show rooms which is also a very fine unit but according to some dealers is overly complex to set up and use. The Lexicon IMHO is not a true high end audio piece of equipment. The Plus unit is basically the same as the EAD Signiture without its exceptional A/D capabilites but includes internal video switching. Since I don't listen to records any more I went with the Plus. Its AAA rating in Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, the review of the Signiture unit in Stereophile as well as the strong recommendations from four EAD dealers (all of which carried several brands of high end HT processors) convinced me to purchase the unit. The setup is extremely easy to use with the microphone provided. The downside of this purchase is that the company is small and they had a problem with production when an earthquake in the far east wiped out their production facilities. They have since moved production in house.

Similar Products Used:

Classe SSP-25

The bottom line first: Performance A+, Ergonomics B-, Expandability C-.
This is an awesome sounding preamp which by the way just happens to also be an awesome sounding surround processor. It has killer looks too (now we need to go buy some Jeff Rowland amps, since EAD copies, with JR's permission, the looks). Build quality is exceptional (no wimpy RCA jacks on the back). Solid, very solid.

The original Theatermaster units were famous for their lousy ergonomics. The new models have improved, but their still sub par to the competition. No on screen display, very limited ability to name imputs (can't create your own names, but have to use a built in list), pain in the ass proceedures to switch to Analogue inputs, the remote is a joke (who designs a remote to control DVD's and LD's without up and down arrow keys to navigate menus?), and what sane person would design use ST Glass for digital input #1 (EAD's own transport doesn't have a glass output, and I can't remember when I've seen a transport that did!). Its not very user friendly (definately designed by engineers without much consideration for nontechnical types). Don't even think about trying to teach your parents, or spouse to use this device. Unless they are into gadgets, they'll just never get the hang of it.

As to the on screen display, an expensive add on box is rumored to be in the works to rectify that. As to the remote, EAD is saying they are looking at replacements. And on the glass input that no one uses, EAD will swap it out for a coaxial input, but they'll charge you $200 for this service.

Finally, it simply is too limited for most home theater setups. Most people will have a substantial number of source components - tuner, dvd player, couple of VCRs, satellite receiver, tape deck, possibly a turn table, etc. If you do, you're going to have to look for an external switch box. And you still won't have tape and video loops for recording.

One last thing. SGHT's recently included the Signature in its recommended components list. GH in that made reference to an annoying high pitched whining sound. Several of the reviews on this site also note this sound. One person said it was the digital flywheel. That is incorrect. If you are hearing such a sound, try turning off the LCD display. Mine was particularly loud, and one day the display died. The factory had to replace the display, and now I don't have any noise. IF you find the noise too loud, consider asking EAD to replace your display (I suspect they may have gotten some defective displays from a supplier).

I've had my Ovation for 4 months now. I'm planning to sell it and get a Proceed AVP. I recognize that it has some shortcommings (particularly it doesn't have EAD's wonderful heavy duty RCA posts, and doesn't decode HDCD). But, it does have onscreen display, tape and video loops, is much more flexible in assigning labels to source components (although I think, with that capability, its STUPID to silk screen the names of components on the faceplate), and can be gotten with AC3 RF input built in.

Anyone interested in my Ovation can contact me.

UPDATE: After living with this unit for a few more months, I have found it to be a joy. I received notice that the loud buzzing noise from the unit was due to the display, not the locking flywheel, so that concern has now passed (I easily adjusted the display brightness with a remote function). Unfortunately, the remote still remains a burden to my family members and the display still hasn't grown to a viewable size, but these are things I have learned to accept.

burr brown dacs - the 1702s/don't have to read the display to know what's going on/NO front panel buttons YES!

yeah its hard to see the display if you're bad-eyed.

unbelievable sound and who else puts ALL the burr brown dacs on all channels for this price?

go for the gear with the lack of respect everytime and you'll find a polished gem needing a bit of buffing - that's it.

didn't take long to figure out what sound mode the EAD is in - punch a mode on the PRONTO you should buy (but keep the Rotel-type freshly batteried) and you can HEAR if there's an available change to be had in today's multi-channel - is it 5.1? 4.0? 2.0? 3.1? - jungle.

don't you have a dvd player (sony carousel) with a bit rate display by now?

get some quality speakers and quality amps and let those dacs RIP!

your subs will suprise you. You do have SUBS, don't you?

On the Ovation, every thing sonic goes way beyond every processor you've heard with stereo burr brown multi-bit (20 bit US r&d ladder dacs) but 1-bit dacs on the other channels; or the usual grub crowd of prepros with every channel having 1-bit dacs.

And if anyone has long leads for the stereo fronts, use the balanced outs!

HDCD anyone? Step upto the EAD.

Yeah, versions before the hallowed v.5 are to be looked and listened to - talk to the owner. find an individual. My seller wanted to go to dual room controller=Lexicon. Guess what? HE came back to an Ovation.

These babies can now be found for less than 2500 - 2000! big time steal to be made.

The processor with the best sound but less than stellar rep - no respect, the rodney dangerfield of processors for the HT user.

apart from the usual learning curve, absolutely no problems with my piece.

Running aragon 8008 st and bb on a vandy 4a (predecessor to the 5 - another no-respect goody) with counterpoint solid state and hybrid on vandy 2ce for centers and surrounds and Pinnacle gold towers for back surrounds. with an extra special pair of denon monoblox - poa 6600 (?) which really juice the rears very nicely for a long run of a room (28'). And don't forget the circle surround ex (I know, it's matrix-ed) jr. processor, a Fosgate-like surround processor that delivers the EX goods, altho - God Forbid - it isn't the anointed n blessed EX mode that it delivers. But you know what? it works better than the other faint-of-heart processors now being rushed to market. But back to the EAD.

You get used to the EAD sound so you can take anyone else's system no matter how good or bad it sounds - and come back to the usual defining EAD Ovation sound without a sense of feeling pity or jealousy (hey! there are undoubtedly better sounding processors out there, but a house down payment's worth?) - but you DO forget how much of an upgrade in sound quality it was when you moved to separates, let alone 200 watt/400 watt amps with burr brown dacs and decent power supplies and the WAY cool setup features of the EAD, not to mention the crossovers and roll-offs available in the Ovation/encore/signature. With multiple subs who needs external crossovers?

For me, the Ovation is aptly named - and it has become a standard that I know - if I GET the dollaz - can more than support an endless changing out of associated gear and come away sounding like the sonic champ that it is. In the meantime, it has become the stuff of everyday listening, mostly to movie soundtracks, and as of late, mono *older* movies now flooding the dvd bins. Quite rightly, the Ovation has been pushed into service. Just as it should be.
Features, yes. Bells and whistles - get in the Lexicon line.

with tara labs (yes, it's true) rsc mas gen2 to the Vandy 4As, plain tl 33s and 55s on interconnects, kimber agdl digital from the elite 99 ld; apex dvd with the loophole menu - yes! with a sony video grade crt that is set for PAL very nicely - and the super short sony carousel 670 - and Monster 1000 video cabling all over. would love to finish the EAD project with the BIG DOLLAH stuff, but my buying dayze are over. trading is done very carefully, but I got 2 vel Fr1200s, with a 1215 that could go anytime.

Similar Products Used:

lexicon mc & dc/cal/b&k/meridian/proceed/denon/yaddayadda