Nuforce AVP-16

I have the NuForce AVP-18 as my home theatre AV 7.1 Preamp/AV processor,
i bought it because it is all digital with no legacy composite cable inputs/outputs.

Assessment:

In brief, it it does its yeoman duty in processing movie and concert Bluray video and multitrack soundtracks . But it’s a pretender and no KRELL, CARY , BRYSTON or similar top-end contender in both build quality and performance.

- Its build quality is comparable to the tsunami of $1000 strata "meh?" AVRs out there, so nothing to write home about.

-NOTE: For 2-channel audio performance , .....nope.....don’t look to this as your yellow brick road to OZ . You have to go look elsewhere ....... that’s what my high-end integrated amp is for all 2-channel audio performance I use the latter’ direct pass-through feature to be the LF and RF power amp to the Nu-Force in 7.1 usage.

MY TAKE

- its fine at its pricepoint but it’s no top-end contender. In a do-over I would go better build and performance  unit as commented above,( but more $$)  even just for AV . You only get what you pay for .... full stop.
- It is NOT any quality 2-channel audio performer
-it’s set-up menu is a bit quirky and clunky compared to others ....
- It’s an acknowledged known disposable AV component in my 7.1 system that will be upgraded in the future as the CODECS keep changing and the unit fades into obsolescence.
-after market support has been sketchy

Caveat emptor.

thanks for replying...but to say its not a krell killer..well its price point wasnt meant to be was it.   its interesting your take on it though..

that is what I came here for..even though you have the 18 and I am talking about the 16 which has the characteristics of the 8 which is a little pricey.

in the end I will have to hear it myself..

I also have the avp-18 in my ht rig and I found it a revelation compared to the Emotiva ss amps that I was using, yes I know they are low tier fodder but still.
For a claimed 150wpcx8 it blew away the 250wpc Emotivas on every level.
Voices were much more distinct, explosions and gunfire ( we are talking in a ht rig!) were vastly enhanced and much more defined. All round it was vast improvement.
Obviously on 2 channel music my main rig is much more musical but so it should be for cost difference. However that ebing said I quite often listen to Pandora on it and the occasional bluray audio disc through the oppo connected to it and it is more than acceptable.
For the price paid I was very happy indeed.

Uber Salz....
the NuForce AVP-18 is only an AV preamp/ processor ..... it is no multichannel receiver because it has no power amps included.... you need external power amps

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/nuforce-avp-18-surround-processor

https://www.optomausa.com/audioproduct/avp18

http://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/equipment-menu/523-nuforce-avp-18-surround-sound-proces...


I’m confused by your post "..... for a claimed 150wpc X 8 it blew away the 250 WPC EMOTiVAs on every level."""

The latter refers to a multi-channel ss power amp, not the "18" pre-amp / AV processor function....(apples and oranges). which amp?
Are you referring to the the multichannel NuForce MCA-20 multichannel power amp ?

the "16" the OP is referring to is the discontinued predecessor model to the "18".
http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/nuforce_avp16.htm

PS to all the readers :

(1) the NUFORCE AVP-18 is a legacy product itself already ....they are an indicated afterthought (IMO) after a sellout to optoma.com . the prior models don't even appear even in their support links.

-- no further software updates available etc. In fact no software downloads at all, even to restore it to factory default in case it gets pooched ..
https://www.optoma.com/ap-nuforce/product/avp-18/

-- the new product price has been greatly slashed from $1095 to $695 on AMAZON

https://www.amazon.com/NuForce-AVP-18-Preamp-Processor/dp/B00D3E576W/ref=sr_1_2?s=aht&ie=UTF8&am...

-- few distributors ....
https://www.optomausa.com/us/authorized-


- - their aftermarket support was / is very dodgy (I’m being polite) in my experience . Here’s a similar customer rant review on AMAZON

"..... Perfect.Pitch

1.0 out of 5 starsUnreliable - Terrible Support

October 17, 2016

Unit failed on me within two weeks of purchase in Australia, sent for repair under warranty but Optoma/Nuforce didn’t provide parts to Australian distributor - simply stopped all communication. I now have a dead AVP-18 that Nuforce refuse to do anything about. Appalling support...."

Again ..... caveat emptor....