Club Anthem

[Boone38]

Just ordered the AVM 30 in silver to match the Classe 75 I also bought Will give an update. After reading so much, I think I made the right choice.

[DrJRapp]

Sorry I didn't get to answer last weeks post. Congratulations, I think you will be very pleased. You have also created a great upgrade path for yourself. Soon you will be able to upgrade your 30 to a 50 if you want to add a top notch HDMI switcher and processor for less than the cost of a standalone processor of comparable quality. Yes, Anthem does do real updates!

[Boone38]

I got the AVM30 and hooked it up. Started out with some Fleetwood Mac and then moved to Phil Collins. The sound is sooooo much more open then the Rotel 1068 that I sold. My 804s are coming to life. The Classe cav 75 was bought to replace the Rotel 1075. Man, what a difference. I was worried about the drop in power. Man not a concern. More then enought power for me. :T

[DrJRapp]

Welcome to the world of true high end.....ENJOY!

[dstorm56]

I'm in the final stages of completing my system upgrade: Anthem Statement D2 Pre/Pro, JVC HD-FN5697 DiLA RPTV, ATC SCM-Active 10 LCR & Surrounds, Hsu Research VTF-3 Mk 2 Sub, Yamaha S2300 Mk 2 Universal DVD Player, DirecTV HD Satellite Receiver. Prior to the introduction of the HD elements, I primarily watched DVD's and listened to multichannel music. With the introduction of the D2 (replaced Rotel RSX-1055 AVR), I'm rediscovering my DVD & CD collection all over! PQ & SQ are stunning! I used to get to bed by 11:00....now I find myself stumbling to bed by 1 or 2. Damn you high-end AV!!

The last thing I'm waiting on is for one manufacturer (presumably LG) to come out with a universal high-def DVD player....then I'll get no sleep at all!

[mitch57]

The last thing I'm waiting on is for one manufacturer (presumably LG) to come out with a universal high-def DVD player....then I'll get no sleep at all!

The LG is already out and available at Best Buy. But it's spendy!!! So much for getting any sleep.

[roy@junglepromo]

Amp Advise Please

Hello,

Looking for advise - I'm in market for an amp, Don't know whether to
buy a 7 channel or 5 channel amp to mate with my Anthem AVM 20
and Paradigm speakers (Studio 100 fronts). I need 7 channels for the 7.1
but thought I could make use of my 2 channel Bedini 150/150 (I beleive MK II)
with another 5 channel. The Bedini is 20+ years old. (In storage for 15yrs. of that)
I'm looking for optimum HiFi on a mediocre budget.
I do like to Crank all 7 channels! thought this set-up will deliver more power,
than say just a PVA 7 amp. But will a new 5 channel amp with the old Bedini
perform as clean as just the PVA 7? Or if I do go with the PVA 7 then
maybe still make use of the Bedini thru bi-amp?

Do you think I can overhaul / upgrade the Bedini amp?

[dstorm56]

I looked at the LG player, but it didn't really impress me....especially at $1200 bucks! I've waited this long, might as well wait a bit longer and see who else throws their hat into the ring. Maybe Denon/Marantz? We'll see.

[jusdrink]

i have a anthem mca 30 for my fronts which are paradigm studio 100v4 and cc590 for center they sound great i would go for the mca20 and mca50 for your 7.1

[whoaru99]

The AVM 30 HDMI/scaler upgrade info is posted on Anthem's website just in case nobody noticed yet.

[The Borg]

Just a suggestion. I just got an Arcam DV79 DVD player. I'm running it through an Anthem D2 and a Sony Ruby projector with Audioquest HDMI 3 cables throughout. I've tried a few DVD players and the Arcam has the best picture quality by far. At $1700, it's a bit pricy but worth it for now. Maybe it's just better to wait until some throws in the towel with regards to Bluray and HD DVD. It's amazing what 480i can look like with the right equipment and since you can usually pick up new DVDs on ebay for around $4.00, how can you go wrong? Anybody else sticking with 480i for now?

[dstorm56]

I'm sticking with regular DVD's for the time being. You're absolutely correct about running signal through the right equipment. I'm currently running my Yamaha 2300 Mk2 universal player through my Statement D2 and displayed on my JVC 56" DiLA. I'm more than content to wait until someone comes up with a decent universal HD disk player. I've rediscovered my DVD collection!

[mitch57]

So Jerry... Haven't heard from you in quite some time. How are you liking your Anthem D2? Any problems or concerns? I'm about ready to bite the bullet and purchase the D2 instead of the AVM 50 due to the enormous amount of multi-channel DVD-A and SACDs that I listen to.

Any thoughts or concerns that I should be aware of before I make the purchase? Anyone else have any input?

[greenhorn]

I'm sticking with regular DVD's for the time being. You're absolutely correct about running signal through the right equipment. I'm currently running my Yamaha 2300 Mk2 universal player through my Statement D2 and displayed on my JVC 56" DiLA. I'm more than content to wait until someone comes up with a decent universal HD disk player. I've rediscovered my DVD collection!

I'm with you. I'm putting the finishing touches on my system and skipped Blue-Ray, HD DVD, HDMI... Just bought a DV-78 that goes through my Anthem AVM - 20 \ PVA - 7 to Panasonic 42" Plasma HD. Speakers are B&W CM series all around. I'm very very happy with the way everything looks and sounds. :T

[dstorm56]

Statement D2

Mitch, I think you'll achieve complete nirvana once you've added the D2 to your system. Finest piece of equipment I've dealt with to date. As I mentioned in previous posts, performs spectacularly on both video and audio. Listening to multichannel music is sublime. Worth every penny!! :T

[mitch57]

Mitch, I think you'll achieve complete nirvana once you've added the D2 to your system. Finest piece of equipment I've dealt with to date. As I mentioned in previous posts, performs spectacularly on both video and audio. Listening to multichannel music is sublime. Worth every penny!! :T

I changed my mind on Anthem. I was struggling with the amount of money it would cost for something I would most likely be upgrading a few years down the road. I decided to order an Integra DTC 9.8. Maybe it's not in the same league as the Anthem but at $1600.00 MSRP it's pretty hard to beat and no worries about upgrading down the road to something else.

[muralido]

los angeles anthem repair

i have a busted p5 and am looking for someone to repair in southern california. if you've ever picked up one of these, you'll know why i don't want to ship it to anthem. please post any suggestions and thanks.

p.s. it is no longer under warranty.

[srjtigerman]

AVM 30 upgrade

I notice that the AVM 30 upgrade is now available. I was wondering if anyone had this done and if so, what were your results. I am thinking about having this done, if it is worth it.

[raider]

Muralido;
What happened to you p5??
I had a couple of failures myself

[artv4]

hi,
does anyone own the anthem mca 5 amp? i am thinking about purchasing this particular amp and need some info on it
art

[srjtigerman]

I have an MCA 2 amp and what I can tell you about it is that is runs very hot. I am running the MCA 50 and MCA 2 on surrounds.

[Mig17]

On my short list of buying new processor

Rotel 1098 and anthem avm 30 are on considering
but in Singapore the price is too different :
Rotel 1098 is 2300USD and Anthem is 3400 Usd
Personally, I prefer Anthem, but the Anthem is actually better performance ?
Thanks

[KRC]

Hello all, I am new to this forum, been posting to Rotel, Classe and B&W forums. I am in the market for a new processor and five channel amp, presently running with a Arcam AVR 200 which is a good little receiver but missing all the features that have come and gone in the last bunch of years. I was thinking seriously of a Classe combo (SSP 300 and CA 5100) but have a problem paying the $10K CAD plus I wanted to get into HDMI as it is probably the way of the future, depending where the dollar is finished moving to. Also thought of Rotel, but then reading all the problems with their new processor addition with HDMI problems etc. So I kept looking around. So last week I was on a vacation and bought a copy of "Home Electronic Ideas - Winter 2007/2008" edition, wow packed with alot of info and cleared up some of my misinformation. At the back of the magazine, there is a rear view shot of a Anthem AVM 50, I said to myself "What a well laid out and organized set of connections". Went to the Anthem web site did some research and found there is a local dealer. Paid them a visit and spoke to the saleman who is the Anthem expert. I did not have a lot ot time, this was basically a recce to see what was what. In the short time there, I realized (hopefully not salesman double talk) that Anthem looks like a good company to look into. Not to mention the company is Canadian, sorry, had a spot of patriotism there. I am going back for a longer demo with some CD's and DVD's in hand, but he had a demo unit on for $4500. CAD, P5 amp for $1600 CAD and a HCA 50 for $2800. CAD, are these good prices? I would assume buying the package they could do better on the price? Is the HCA 50 to much amp for my system (B&W 703 L/R, LCR 60 S3, 600 S3 for surround) or look at the P series amps? What do you get or miss going from each amp? Lots of questions and issues, I guess I'll start here.

Kevin

[greenhorn]

I have a Anthem AVM - 20 pre amp \ PVA - 7 amp combo and love it. Home Theater Magazine reviewed the Anthem AVM 40 in their Feb 2008 and raved about it. I looked but did not see the review on their web site yet.

[Mig17]

Bought 1098 Rotel thanks

[misterdoggy]

DrJRapp

I am about to join your club. I just ordered a D2 with room correction. Anything I should know in advance. I found the MX135 McIntosh missing punch and clarity. The D2 has so much to offer I wanted to check it out.

The upsampling on all channels sounds interesting. So digital in comes out analog upsampled on the 5.1 channels ?

thanks
Misterdoggy

Honestly, I don't really watch standard cable since I don't even have it in my home and haven't for 4 years. Since I have Dish network with 26 HiDef channels I don't really watch standard Sat either. There is something about a 4x3 immage that now seems very wrong to me, and doing a "stretch" does make it worse.

My household was an early adopter of the 16x9 format six years ago and we now have six 16x9 HiDef TVs or monitors (including my pj) and only one 4x3 old school CRT left (my daughters room). In some cases we are actually on our second generation 16x9 sets.

The D2 doesn't make anything look worse than it already is, it improves every signal that is sent through it. High definition, on the otherhand makes the viewing experience worse in many cases since defects in original production or source material are more distinctly identifiable. This is analogus to how a good audio sytem will bring out the defects of a poorly recorded highly compressed disc (either CD or Vinyl). Video noise or film graininess becomes more obvious than before because of it's improved focus and edginess.

Let me additionally clarify my Hollywood example from my earlier post. In the days of Hollywood before what is now known as blue screen technology, film makers used to have elaborate perspective backgrounds painted to give the look of things like city streets and battlegrounds and any vast scene that was filmed in a studio lot. These scenes would blend seamlessly with the foreground in the finished product creating the illusion of a grand battlefield or a very long street.

Now, HighDef universally improves the sharpness of everything making things that were previously percieved as being slightly out of focus to be in sharp focus. This is largely what is responsible for what people report as a "more 3d effect" from hidef.

The problem occurs when something like the aforementioned painted backdrop comes into sharper focus it becomes obvious that it is a painted backdrop. The net result is that something that filmakers try to achieve called "suspension of disblief" becomes negatively effected by the viewers ability to more clearly see reality.

So, the picture gets better but the experience gets worse.

[RebelMan]

DrJRapp

I am about to join your club. I just ordered a D2 with room correction. Anything I should know in advance.

Yeah! He's no longer a member. You're on your own Mr D. LOL

[misterdoggy]

Oh Yeah ?

Not a member ......

Sounds like something monumental happened

Anyone else relate D2 experiences that I should look out for ?

[RebelMan]

Oh Yeah ?

Not a member ......

Sounds like something monumental happened.

He went the Integra DTC 9.8 route. I would have advised you to hold out for the Classe' SSP-800. I have heard the D2 in a well executed demo but was not as impressed as I thought I should have been given the press. I'm speaking with regard to the audio part of the D2 not the video. You maybe perfectly content though.

[misterdoggy]

well hopefully i will be a happy Anthem D2 owner and can relate my experiences

may the be filled with happy reports

With all the changes Ive gone thru I have never even thought of changing my 802D's for anything

[SoCalCM]

I have the D1 with 3x802ds, Classe CA3200 amp. Nothing but positive experience with it -- haven't heard anything that sounds better for anywhere near the money. I even brought it to my dealer to see if I should get something better for the speakers and compared it to both 2 and MC units from Ayre, Krell, Classe and Lexicon. It is very easy to use. If I was buying now, I would buy the Anthem again.

I considered upgrading to the Classe SSP800 and decided not to -- I took a good look at its specs and it leaves out too much -- no THX, no tuner to name just two. I just ordered the ARC-1 for the D1. I am still debating whether to upgrade to the D2 spec. The fact that there is an upgrade path is also impressive.

[Mig17]

I listened to many Rotel 1068 and 1069 and found the sound ware always very compressed I think I will move to Anthem AVM 30

[misterdoggy]

I have the D1 with 3x802ds, Classe CA3200 amp. Nothing but positive experience with it -- haven't heard anything that sounds better for anywhere near the money. I even brought it to my dealer to see if I should get something better for the speakers and compared it to both 2 and MC units from Ayre, Krell, Classe and Lexicon. It is very easy to use. If I was buying now, I would buy the Anthem again.

I considered upgrading to the Classe SSP800 and decided not to -- I took a good look at its specs and it leaves out too much -- no THX, no tuner to name just two. I just ordered the ARC-1 for the D1. I am still debating whether to upgrade to the D2 spec. The fact that there is an upgrade path is also impressive.

I sold my D2, too many problems with handshake, jitter, not reading satellite audio or video that well and having to accept to use component rather than hdmi for satellites.

I got a Meridian 861V4 and it blows away the sound of the Anthem. The Anthem is good value for money and support is good, there is just too many small problems that arise when you are on the cutting edge of technology. They are to far ahead of themselves and therefore things are not in place before they sell them.

If you read the Anthem forum people are constantly having problems downloading, handshaking, jitter, and only a select few can make everything work. Not to mention you have to compromise when things don't work as they should.

Check out Meridian if you can afford it, everything works

[RebelMan]

I considered upgrading to the Classe SSP800 and decided not to -- I took a good look at its specs and it leaves out too much -- no THX, no tuner to name just two.

Features aside I am 100% confident you would have enjoyed the audio merits of the SSP-800 especially given that you have the 802D and CA-3200. Short on features? Maybe (if you really need them). But not on audio!

Unless you have a 7.1 configuration THX will make no difference to your system. Zero, zilch, nada. It ONLY impacts the rear speakers. Dolby Pro Logic IIx, on the other hand (which the SSP-800 has), works on 5.1 as well as 7.1 systems and uses a much improved steering algorithm.

The SSP-800 has the hardware to support THX for those that have the need and 7.1 configurations. However, it is not currently enabled in the firmware. Since Classe' continues to provide new features and capabilities through software updates it's conceivable that they could revisit THX if enough consumer demand were present. Classe' flat out told me if something is worth the time and effort then they will dedicate the resources into making it happen.

As for a tuner not much I can say there other than you should check into Sonos at some point. I stream COMMERCIAL FREE, CD quality content though it and it works fabulously. I also have FULL access to online music services and downloads for very low subscription fees, starting as low as $3 per month. It beats the local stations hands down and is much cheaper than Sirius or XM Radio. Not to mention I have complete access to my entire library or ripped CD's. I can't wait to plug it into my SSP-800. :P

When the SSP-800 comes out you should still give it a whirl. I think you'll change your mind about it but if you don't you'll still have your D1/D2 to enjoy. :T

[xtrips]

Hello,

I am about to buy a D2. I am living in a foreign country where its price is calculated based on the lowest retail price available in the USA + taxes.
Can somebody help me out here and tell me what is the lowest "real" official retail price available in the USA?
Please if you do, provide a link to the retailer's website.

Thank you

[Mig17]

about 6999$

[ninja12]

about 6999$

The lowest I have seen is $7499 which was the increased price at the beginning of this year.

[pole_hunter]

I think this will help.

http://www.diplomatical.com/flag_anthem.html

[KRC]

I made the jump and got the AVM 50 with ARC and MCA 50. Amazing products. Took a bit to do all the programming but well worth the effort. Huge improvement to regular DVD's and outstanding on Bluray. Tons of power to drive my B&W 703's.

Kevin

[KRC]

There must be other Anthem owners out there? Anyone with hints on programming or set up?

Kevin

[Hammie]

Looking at possibly getting an VM 50v.

Any current owners have any pluses or minuses with them?

[ArvinK]

I've got an Anthem AVM 30 and I love it. I'm in no rush to upgrade yet but I've got a setup question....

I just got a Panny BD80 BR player and I want to send the 5.1 analog out to the Anthem and have it apply the bass management. How do I do that?

[whoaru99]

Set the BD player output mode to "5.1+2", then set the 6-ch input of the Anthem to "Anlg-DSP".

[artv4]

got my order for an anthem MRX-500!!!

[wettou]

any one compared anthem vs Classé?