Storm Audio ISP Core 16 Immersive AV (Preamp) Processor Review
StormAudio's ISP.32 MK2 pre-processor and PA8 MK2 power amplifier created quite a stir around the StereoNET offices early last year. A potent combination, the duo demonstrated they could not only whip up a sonic storm but also reveal the finest of details. So when we heard that the company was releasing another pre-processor, we were all ears. And, as luck would have it, we were able to get our hands on one of the very first units in the country.
StormAudio has been busy since we last checked, releasing two new processors – the ISP Elite MK3, and the subject of this review, the ISP Core 16. Unlike the ISP Elite MK3 and ISP Elite MK2 (formally known as the ISP.32), which allow for up to 32 channels, the ISP Core 16 is limited to 16. As such, the ISP Core 16 will work with speaker configurations of up to 11.1.4 or 9.1.6. Smaller speaker configurations are possible, with the option to add more subwoofers directly to the Core.
While channel count is fixed, the ISP Core 16 will be supported by optional hardware upgrades as new technologies become available. These upgrades should enable the Core to stay relevant in the future and negate the need to buy a new processor. For instance, the ISP Core 16's HDMI inputs are HMDI 2.0B/HDCP 2.2, 18Gbps with 4K UHD, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision with eARC on one of its two HDMI outputs. StormAudio, however, has a new HDMI 2.1 upgrade board slated for release in the second quarter of this year. This will support 4K/8K up to 48 Gbps up to 120Hz, Dynamic HDR, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Quick Frame Transport (QFT) and Quick Media Switching (QMS).
Purported to be a reference-grade 16 channel processor, the ISP Core 16 utilises two ADI Sharc DSP 4 processors for post-processing and a Texas Instruments K2G processor for decoding. Decoupling the input and output DSPs yields the lowest possible jitter and provides the cleanest signal path, allowing a greater level of subtlety and detail in the sound, the company claims. Furthermore, asynchronous post-processing with high-quality local clocks ensures separation between the input and output clocks, providing greater clarity and depth, it is claimed.
The ISP Core 16 uses the same DAC board found on the ISP Elite MK2, resulting in low residual noise and a claimed high dynamic range of 118dB. At the same time, StormAudio's proprietary hybrid analogue/digital volume adjustment is said to maximise dynamic range, regardless of the overall volume level. In addition to Dolby Atmos, DTS: X Pro, Auro-3D and IMAX Enhanced – slated for a future update in 2022 – the ISP Core 16 will also decode legacy formats. It's worth noting that Auro 3D is limited to 7.1.6 speaker configurations.
The Core offers manual calibration in the form of twenty point PEQ per channel with the Room EQ Wizard (REW) plugin and automated calibration with Dirac Live 2.0. A firmware upgrade pack can also be purchased to add Dirac Bass Control, Storm XT Ambiance Expander, StormAudio Expert Bass Management and HDMI Matrixing.
The Dirac Bass Control add on is claimed to deliver smoother bass response, minimise seat-to-seat variations and improve response in the crossover region, plus subwoofer to subwoofer alignment, subwoofer to speaker alignment and speaker to speaker alignment. When not all channels are in use, StormAudio's XT Ambience Expander will analyse the incoming signal, routing the ambience portion of the recording from adjacent speakers into any unused speakers.
Expert Bass Management, used in conjunction with manual calibration, brings the ability to add up to six independent bass zones, which lets you match subwoofers to groups of speakers. For example, bass and LFE from the LCR channels can be routed to subwoofers in the front of the room, with bass and LFE from the side speakers directed to subwoofers on the matching sides of the room, and so on. It also gives integrators and calibrators the option to designate dedicated subwoofers as LFE channels.
UP CLOSE
Sporting a new coat, the ISP Core 16 does away with the matt black faceplate of the older MK2 in favour of a black brushed aluminium one. It's nothing new to the AV world, I concede, but the ISP Core 16 looks all the better for it, with the silver StormAudio logo providing a nice bit of contrast. Likewise, the LCD has also had a makeover. The GUI – which now includes the channel levels – has a more sophisticated appearance. There's little in the way of controls on offer here apart from the volume control; you'll find three buttons for menu navigation.
At 479x145x395mm and weighing just 8kg, this unit is going to be at home in smaller spaces, occupying just 3RU rack-mounted. Move around the back of the Core, and you discover it's more of a hand-crafted affair rather than a product of mass production. Connections are arranged logically with plenty of room to work. It's equipped with seven HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs. Sixteen balanced channel outputs are also provided, in addition to three coaxial inputs, three optical inputs, four unbalanced analogue inputs, four 12V triggers, IR input and output, two USB inputs, LAN and Zone 2 coaxial output. It's also Roon Ready too, which will please music lovers.
The ISP Core 16 arrived double boxed, with the processor held securely in place with black foam. The box also included a power cord, rack ears, user manual and remote control. This is relatively small but still contains enough buttons to navigate the processor's menus. It's a welcome addition, particularly for integrators, but most, if not all, I imagine will be using a third-party control system. In this regard, drivers are available for Control 4, Crestron, Crestron Home, Elan, RTI and Savant. In addition, both iOS and Android apps are available for both tablets and smartphones.
GETTING GOING
For the most part, setup is relatively straightforward for such a sophisticated product. Laid out in an easy to follow manner, the user manual effectively offers a step-by-step guide on setting up the ISP Core 16. Hookup is painless with clear connections and a largely uncluttered back panel. At first glance, the web-based GUI appears more complicated than it actually is. The user manual is indispensable, and I soon found myself navigating the menus with ease. YouTube also has a wealth of information, including setup webinars should you need them.
Setting up the Core 16 is identical to other StormAudio processors; after assigning speaker channels, you create your first theatre. Thankfully, the GUI provides clear diagrams with a 3D speaker viewer to help users create bed, height and overhead speakers layers. It also gives you the option to create multiple theatres.
Theatre one, for example, could be the main theatre room, while theatre two is linked to a TV and 5.1 speaker system in another part of the house. Pleasingly, both theatres can also be calibrated independently, the only limitation being different theatres can't be used simultaneously.
When it comes to stereo listening, no such limitations exist. It is, therefore, possible to listen to the radio or stream music in another part of the house while the theatre is in use. With the optional firmware upgrade pack, it's also possible to simultaneously watch what's being viewed in a theatre.
Sub theatres offer additional flexibility, allowing a particular subset of speakers to be used within an existing theatre configuration. For instance, you could choose to use overhead Atmos speakers to add some ambient music to an environment or use the front speakers for dedicated stereo listening.
As always, Dirac proved to be a powerful tool for room EQ, although it comes with a bit of a learning curve for newcomers. As there isn't a microphone included, you're going to need to make a worthwhile investment in the likes of a Mini DSP's UMIK or Dayton Audio UMM-6 and a mic stand. After downloading Dirac Live, I had no difficulty locating the ISP.32 on my network and activating the Dirac license. With the calibration completed, you're given the option to either use Dirac's default curve, manually create a target curve, or download other target curves such as the ones offered by Harman.
The ISP Core 16 was matched with StormAudio's PA8 Ultra power amplifier for this review. In turn, the PA8 was connected to VAF Signature i91 front and centre speakers, with four VAF i90s used for rear surround and ceiling mounted Atmos speakers. Two custom Veritas 10” subs were added to create a 5.2.2 Atmos speaker configuration. Video sources consisted of a Panasonic UB9000 4K Blu-ray player and Apple TV, connected directly to a Sony VPL-VW270ES projecting images onto a Severtson 100” Cinegray 16.9 screen.
THE LISTENING
StormAudio's ISP Core 16 is an astonishingly transparent and detailed processor, capable of revealing the finest nuances from soundtracks. It directs sound around the room with pinpoint precision, engulfing the viewer in a realistic sound field. Revealing as it is, it hasn't forgotten how to have a good time. Coupled with the PA8 Mark 2 power amplifier, the ISP Core 16 produced a sonic storm that's both cinematic and, above all, exciting.
Despite the dated Dolby True HD soundtrack on the 4K Blu-ray of The Hunt for Red October, it's a grandiose experience in the hands of the Core. It created an enormous soundfield in my home theatre, both cinematic and convincing. The voices of the crew singing as the Red October departs Polyarny was enough to give me chills. As Ryan meets with the commander of the USS Enterprise, the sound of the aircraft catapults and aircrew working on the deck can be clearly made out. Not only is the ISP Core 16 capable of retrieving fine sonic detail such as this, it's also capable of restoring it to its rightful place with the sound field. It draws you into the scene that's playing out before you, and reminds you that there's a whole lot more happening beyond the confines of the lens.
The same was true with the DTS-HD Master soundtrack on the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray of The Dark Knight. As the police van holding the commissioner winds its way through Gotham's streets, the Core proves it understands that it's just as important to know when to keep quiet as it is to speak up. The scene is punctuated with an almost inky black silence, broken only by the discordant tones of violins. It's from this that you're able to make out every little creak and rattle of the Police van.
When the action unfolds, the soundstage opens up, the StormAudio once again engulfing the main listening position in a massive soundstage. The numerous collisions are delivered both cleanly and accurately, the sound of trucks heard moving seamlessly from the front to the back of the sound field. As the tumbler collides with the garbage truck, the bass is immense and clearly felt at the primary listening position. Impressive as the bass is, it lacks both the precision and control of Dirac Live's Bass Control.
With the Blu-ray disc of Unbroken, the ISP Core 16 once again envelopes the viewing position in a bubble of sound. As familiar as I am with the opening scene of this film, the Core extracted a new level of detail from the Dolby Atmos Soundtrack that I've never heard before. As the flak cannons burst into life, it placed the explosions precisely where they should be in the sound field. Imaging is likewise excellent, the Japanese Zero fighter planes moving about the acoustic as they pleased, often seemingly oblivious to the placement of my speakers.
The bullet train scene of The Wolverine was delivered with equal parts ferocity and detail. These two facets combine to the point that I almost felt the wind whipping past me. Meanwhile, the speakers sounded much larger than they truly are, creating a tremendous soundstage that filled the room, despite the legacy DTS Master Soundtrack. I was reminded that the only processor I have heard before that can match the level of performance in this scene, is StormAudio's own ISP Elite Mark 2.
THE VERDICT
While it can be said that detail retrieval is a staple of high-end processors and AVRs, there are precious few that know what to do with that sonic detail. The ISP Core 16 and its ilk stand head and shoulders above them. And as good as it is with detail retrieval, it hasn't forgotten how to have fun, being capable of huge dynamic swings that fill the room with sound.
As much as the ISP Core 16 impressed me, having lived with Dirac Live Bass Control, I know it is capable of more. As such, the firmware upgrade pack is an essential purchase, not only adding Dirac Live Bass Control but other features such as StormAudio's XT Ambiance Expander. StormAudio also hinted at further enhancements being rolled out during the year, such as 3D Remapping (patent pending), which piqued our interest. All in all, StormAudio's ISP Core 16 is not only an outstanding processor but excellent value for money. If you're lucky enough to be in the market for a sixteen channel processor, you simply must audition this.