A reference AVR or AVP in this case exists for the purpose of bring together as many sources, be they digital or analog and offer the latest surround multi-channel decoding, video switching, convenience, multiroom, wireless (wifi and bluetooth) connectivity and network capability along with the entire operation being commanded from a single remote control.
One limited parameter was tested, one pair of D/A converter channels. Nothing else. The entire digital video processing functionality and all the surround capabilities may well be truly excellent, but we'll never know. The wireless integration may be excellent, the remote control may be superb but we'll never know that either. The phono stage may be absolute crap (highly likely) or excellent, but we'll never know.
One man, lots of gear and not enough time, is a recipe for incomplete reviews such as this. I feel for Amir, and appreciate what he is attempting here, but fewer comprehensive reviews are better than lots of superficial ones IMO. ASR will otherwise be known as a $2 shop version of Stereophile's reviews. (how many more cheap dongles and Chinese D/As do we need?)
Amir may know better than me. Perhaps in this sound-bite world with people wanting instant 'solutions' and 'recommendations' with little or no effort on their part, such go or no-go reviews are just the ticket. Trouble is, in audio, it's always been the polar opposite for the technically minded.
The technical reviewing load needs to be spread to people with appropriate test gear and the desire to contribute. I cannot justify a fully kitted out APX555 but rest assured if I could, I'd be doing my bit (and copping the criticism too, no doubt)