Operations

ADA provides a remote that's more akin in design to a wall-mount unit keypad. Square and flat, the RC-40 remote is backlit when activated and can do most operations you'd expect from an IR remote. Sturdy in a brushed black cast metal housing, the remote can integrate with your house controls.

I found it a bit odd to use because it can't be held in one hand like most conventional remotes, so it is more like typical panel-type remotes. I also assume most installers would have their clients invest in a substantial aftermarket product.

Although the RC-40 is still available, beginning in early 2007, ADA began shipping the Cinema Reference Mach III with Universal Remote's MX-900 preprogrammed for ADA. Dealers can still request the RC-40, but most opt for the MX-900.

Obviously from the front of the Mach III, volume can be controlled along with input selection. Scrolling through the input selector will not change the input until you push on it.

Unusual for a controller, the Mach III has Record Selector that allows you to send independent signals to an integrated recording device for both audio and video. And likewise, it allows a second monitor to be used at the same time. This of course is where that terrific little 7" screen comes in handy if you're recording without the benefit of another monitor.

Video can be sent from the same source to two separate outputs, allowing two rooms to have the same images. This "Dual Video" uses any of the three composite, S-Video, or component to deliver the same signal.

The Sound

I was fortunate to have on hand the Triad Gold speaker package during my time with the ADA equipment, and frankly, the pairing was astounding. Coupled with a McCormack universal player and Wireworld cables, the system simply left me giddy.

As in-depth and intuitive as the Mach III is to setup, I wasn't prepared to experience such incredible performance. All this hardware, all this configuration and snap – right from the start, I was completely immersed.

Beginning with the basics, there was ample brute power and dynamics in all channels. Both the MPA-502 and the PF-2502 deliver abundant clean amplification.

Notwithstanding the credit deserved by the Triad package, the ADA gear expands the musical space, almost concert hall like! For comparison sake, I spent a bit of time listening to the Triad Gold speakers with other equipment, and it suffered by the downgrade not only in amplification but in balance and detail. Triad flourished with the ADA equipment.

In the end it was dynamic range that impressed me most. Articulation was never lost at low volumes and increased volumes maintained their civility with absolutely no sign of clipping or strain. Voices were articulate and well defined, and movie scores were musical.

Conclusions

Shortcomings were few, to downright non-existent. I would have liked to see the on-screen menu operated from the 7" LCD despite the fact that it's preferred to be done on your computer and certainly can still be achieved on the front panel as I described.

I'm not surprised that ADA limits the "bells and whistles" in lieu of performance. Those wanting auto-equalization or auto-setup should look elsewhere.

I actually prefer at this stage ADA's position on HDMI – as it will be some time before all the bugs are worked out of the format, and having a separate unit that can be replaced and/or upgraded keeps the Mach III from becoming obsolete any time soon.

Yah, yah, sure, sure . . . but it's very expensive!? Yes it is and if you happen to be through Westchester NY any time soon, Richard will show you what I saw – designed, hand assembled, and tested using the finest technology and components, ADA manufactures some of the very best.

I couldn't help but feel the ADA equipment and the Mach III controller in particular felt like the big league in setup, operation, and performance. This is not a component of subtleties – every description would be an understatement, in a category of full-out dimension of dynamics, accuracy, perfect timing, transparency and most important, musicality.

Recently, ADA announced that their products will now carry 30 year warranties celebrating their 30th year in business for products purchased between July 4th, 2007 and July 4th 2008. That's what I'd call confidence.

- Piero Gabucci -