Someone pointed out an interesting similarity yesterday on another forum between the NuForce AVP 16 and the Emotiva LMC-1. When looking at the rear panels of both units, there are a number of similarities (multichannel and stereo analog inputs, component video inputs/outputs, composite and s-video inputs/outputs, digital audio inputs, and general topography) that strongly suggest the two are based on the same basic platform. That suggests some interesting things. First, the LMC-1 uses a Cirrus 49300 DSP chip (the same chip used in Outlaw's Model 950, released back in 2002), which explains why the feature set all around looks much more like the ol' 950 than the current 990 and 970. The 49300 chip cannot offer some of the newer capabilities included in Outlaw's current products (AV sync being one of the obvious examples). Second, the LMC-1 uses a DAC chip that is almost identical to the 970's DAC (the version used in the 970 actually has about 4dB of extra headroom over the version used in the LMC-1) - since the 990's DAC is widely considered better than the 970's (just ask Outlaw, it's one reason that the 990 is more expensive), that may tell us a bit about the AVP 16 as well. The LMC-1's analog section has gotten positive reviews, which would bode well for the AVP 16 if it shares that analog design, but the DSP side of the fence has been a bit of a slippery slope for the LMC-1. Perhaps sticking with a single global crossover instead of the LMC-1's triple crossover allowed NuForce to avoid some of those DSP mode headaches. In the end, though, the AVP 16's feature set really compares best with the Model 950 - the only thing the AVP 16 offers that the 950 lacks of Pro Logic IIx (assuming that it is implemented properly), and the 950 actually offers a few things missing from the AVP 16 (composite/s-video transcoding, triple crossover, analog bass management in 5.1 input, a second zone, and a universal remote).

A google search revealed that the AVP 16 lists for $1000. You could get a used Model 950 for half of that (or less) on Audiogon with some patience, a brand new Model 970 for $300 less, or a new Model 990 for just $100 more. Some online reviews indicate that it could hang with any of the processors I've mentioned sonically, but the feature set (with the exception of Pro Logic IIx) is nearly five years old.