Examples of shared technology include the DIR (digital interface receiver), Intelligent FIFO™ digital input buffer, L & R front channel differential DACs and identical processing hardware and software. The AVP2, like the Mark Levinson Nº40, uses four SHARC 32-bit fixed/floating point processors for the main zone. Improvements in output buffer and analog volume control topologies contribute to the AVP2’s ability to surpass the performance of the original AVP.

The hardware and software algorithms that are used in the Mark Levinson Nº40 are duplicated exactly in the Proceed unit. The eight channel AVP2 currently decodes dts, dts-ES, Dolby Digital, THX surround EX, and MPEG-2. HDCD, PCM digital sources up to 24/96, Dolby Pro Logic II, and Madrigal’s own stereo surround decoding are available for two-channel sources. Other processing options will be made available in up coming software releases.

In addition to performance benefits, the separate DSP resources of the remote/record zone offer a degree of independence not normally found. Multichannel digital sources can be mixed down to two-channel analog or passed along as multichannel digital. Analog and digital two-channel sources are also available independently to the remote/record zone. Unlike some processors, choosing any source for the RZone always delivers an analog and digital audio output signal. RZone outputs are available for any source, independent of what is being processed for use in the main zone.

The emergence of component video sources and display devices in recent years has given rise to the need for component video switching in many systems. An optional one-rack-space-tall component video processor (CVP2) may be used with the AVP2 to add high-bandwidth (200MHz) switching and transcoding to component from S-video and composite sources. For transcoding, encode and decode hardware are the same as is used in the Nº40 video processor.

The CVP2 is designed to work behind the scenes with an AVP2 to provide component video switching and processing capabilities, allowing a single set of component cables to be run to the TV or projector. The CVP2 will successfully pass through all high definition video signals. Having no front panel controls, it is transparently controlled by the AVP2 via RS-232. The CVP2 sells for US $1,495.

Later this summer a second version called the AVP2 +6 will be made available for those who require high-performance processing of multichannel analog sources. Six input channels may be assigned for SACD or DVD-Audio machines, which currently lack standardized digital interconnection formats.

Current owners of the original AVP may purchase a complete upgrade to either the standard AVP2 or the AVP2 +6. Upgrades may be installed by an authorized Proceed dealer or at the Madrigal factory. The AVP2 is priced at $6,495 U.S. The AVP2 +6 will be $6,895.