EVERYTHING, THIS PIECE ROCKS HARD BABY!!

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I WOULD TAKE THIS PIECE OVER MY GIRLFRIEND ANY DAY BABY. THIS PIECE IS ALL YOU NEED!!!!!!

Similar Products Used:

B&K REF 20, ADCOM, THETA CASSANOVA

tubes are for boobs

at its price none

Why are you comparing a 4k two channel tube pre/amp to a 2k solid state HT pre/pro ? Why don’t you try getting a somewhat better CD player like an arcam9 etc. Go audition a 7k-10k theata cas II or meridan or lexicon and tell us how much better it is in two channel music with that marantz you have. If you find a better pre/pro at 2k please let us know Einstein, I have heard them all now its your turn. I suggest you forget about HT pre/pro single solution & Bat pre/amps and audition the new Krell KCT with their Theater Throughput and use your pre/pro with it. Something tells me you not going to get what your looking for with your current budget.

Similar Products Used:

Sunfire theater grand

Great looks, silver color, built.

none

I am very excited with this unit, I have it paired with the MCA 5, and Paradigm reference speakers. I have the studio 80 v2(version 2). even before the break-in of my amp. I love it already, what more after. The operation of the unit is very simple, but of course after you read the manual.it is worth the money.I highly recomend this pre-amp.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston, NAD

sound quality, feature, look

noon

I replace my Sony TAE-9000ES with AVM-2
only because Sony do not have analog direct input.
I am really happy with AVM-2's sound quality
and the feature it provide.

Similar Products Used:

sony TAE-9000ES

Direct analogue inputs, balanced outputs, software upgradable, good support from Sonic Frontiers web site, ie Pronto remote codes.

Only one pair rca outputs to record from,(there is a digital one as well.) However, if you want to connect a VCR and analogue tape deck you might find this a limiting factor.

I live in the UK, and unfortunately the AVM2 isn't available in 240v, so I'm running mine from a step-down transformer. Initially, the AVM2 was blowing it's internal fuse regularly, and running hot to the point that it was shutting itself down. (It has internal thermal protection.)
I spoke to the technical people at Sonic Frontiers and their suggestion was to try a different step down transformer. This I did, and the unit runs MUCH cooler now. (The original transformer had filtering in it the new one doesn't.)
The AVM2's NTSC on screen character generator doesn't create a problem when a PAL source is playing, something that Sonic Frontiers thought might be a problem when I questioned them prior to buying the AVM2.
My reason for buying this pre-amp/processor was that I wanted to retain a high quality two channel Hi-Fi system with the added benefits of home-theatre. As I don't have the space for two separate systems, I was worried that I'd have to compromise when going for a pre-pro.
Having owned the AVM2 now for 4 months I can honestly say that I am extremely happy with it. I have it married to the MCA5 (230v version) and Celestion A series speakers. The sound quality is excellent, and the direct analogue inputs are useful, as I have my Marantz CD17KI connected to them. When comparing the digital and direct inputs using the Marantz, a wider sound stage is apparent in direct mode, but this is also a little harsher, this could be down to the CD player though. For non-critical listening and when wondering around the house, the 5-channel stereo mode is a nice feature.
When looking for a pre-pro, I wasn't looking for one with a tuner, The AVM2 comes with one built in, and I must say it sound alot better than I was expecting.
I have my DVD and VCR connected to the AVM2's S-video inputs and this causes no degradation to the video signal whatsoever.
When watching movies, DD5.1 and DTS are amazing, making me wish I had a bigger TV to match the audio experience. I don't find the lack of 7.1 a problem as I had to get planning permission from my wife to put up the speakers I have!
One pre-pro I would like to have tried was the B&K ref30. This has more analogue outputs to record from, appears to have a similar feature list to the AVM2, but is available in 240v.
Some people have complained about the remote control. I find it works well and is of the learning type. Although I have a Pronto, I find I still use the original as I prefer tactile buttons to the touch screen of the Pronto.
The AVM2 is easy to set up, the menus are logically laid out, and you can do everything using the front panel display, however the OSD does make it easier. Almost everything on it is customisable, making me wonder how I managed with a simple pre-amp before.
My unit was shipped with v1.11 software, I downloaded 1.13 from the SF web site and the upgrade process is a real doddle. If you have an AVM2, leave the RS232 lead connected but out of sight. This makes future upgrades easier.
If you're after a good quality pre-pro then the AVM2 should definitely be somewhere at the top of your list.
Hans Holub at La Boutique was particularly helpful in getting me the AVM2 and also the 230v version of the MCA5.

Similar Products Used:

Proceed. (Nice, but too expensive)

Ease of operation, balanced XLR, Build Quality, Sound Quality, Built-in Tuner

Remote very noisy, No onscreen menus available with component video

I purchased this product as soon as it came available and am happy I waited for production. I was using an Anthem PRE1 tube preamp with a Bryston 3B amplifier and was very happy with the sound but wanted to be able to also have surround for home theater. I found by purchasing the AVM2 preamp and Anthem MCA5 amplifier I was able to achieve home theater sound without sacrificing the quality of stereo music. In this price range I haven't seen anything that can compete with this product. For the person who wishes to have one system provide both home theater and excellent stereo music reproduction this is a combination worth auditioning.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Yamaha

Price,fantastic audio and video sound, backlit remote

none

From the box it was easy to set up.Ballanced hook ups were nice.the sound in audio was very crisp,and netrual.DD and DTS were wonderful.Very clean lows and detailed highs.I would recommend it to anybody looking for a top quality pre amp.PS.. DVD audio ready plus upgradeable via internet.

Similar Products Used:

marrantz SR18,

Ease of use, 5.1 performance, video switching, build quality, input connections, firewire provision, software upgradability via the internet, adjustable speaker configurations, including crossover adjustments, balanced outputs

only two component video inputs, no 7.1 capability, not hardware upgradable

This product performs on par, with the above-mentioned products, especially if you consider that many use the same Motorola DSP. The unit's 5.1 performance is outstanding; DVD concerts sounds as if you're center stage! Its video switching performance is flawless. It's two channel audio performance is outstanding. Outstanding value at $2100.00, but because of all the competion - namely processors and high-end receivers with 7.1 capability - it's current $2,800 price may be a stretch. It's lack of 7.1 capability must be considered if your room dimensions (e.g. greater than 2500 cubic feet) are adequate, but it is not that serious. The five balanced outputs are nice, but would exchange two of the outputs for an additional component video output (for HD DVD players, satalite dishes, receivers, or video games)

Equipment:
Rotel RMB 1095 or 1090 (The five-channel model)
Rotel RDV 985
Paradigm Reference Studio 40s
Paradigm Reference CC
Paradigm Titans (Rear)
Vampire Wire Interconnects

Similar Products Used:

Proceed, Lexicon, Rotel, Onkyo Integra products, Parasound, B&K Ref 30 and 202.

Balanced outputs all around. Nice build.

Preamp in stereo mode. Only 5.1 in fast moving processor world with no upgrade path. Trouble locking onto appropriate mode

Processor end of things sounded good. Didn't really spend that much time auditioning the decoder. Mostly listend for 3 days to direct analog input and DACs to compare its preamp section in music mode.

Simple conclusion...preamp is only average. I A/B'ed (which is easy to do with the remote) the DACs on the Anthem using the COAX out of my Marantz CD63-SE vs. the analog output of my CD63-SE run direct to the bypass inputs of the Anthem. I listened extensively no significant difference. I even had my son switch back and forth with the remote from both inputs and I honestly can tell you I found no discernable differences. This bothered my given I comparing the 5 year old analog outputs of my CD-63 to the brand new 24/96 DACs on the Anthem. Compared Anthem to my B&K AVP2000, again no discernable diff. on music. The BAT blows B&K and Anthem away. No contest. Soundstage, mid smoothness, bass, all noticeably better with BAT in place. Best overall sound however is running analog outs of CD63-SE directly into amplifier and used volume control on CD player. Even the BAT sounded somewhat dry and compressed relative to no preamp. But hey, most of us need a music and a pro-preamp right? Tough decision but I'm still looking. I really don't want to have to buy 2 preamps but music is my first passion and I really don't feel good about the Anthem as my music pre. Any suggestions? Anyone tried Classe?

Similar Products Used:

none for processor but B&K AVP2000, BAT VK-5i for music

Fanatastic soundstage, neutral, transparent, many many inputs, XLR output/input, excellent DAC's, and so on...

Really Nothing... just poor remote.

Again, very transparent. Quiet passages are very quiet and Loud passages pack lots of punch and dynamics!!! Setup was surprisingly very simple, took only 30 minutes to set up after scanning through the manual. The internet upgradability (not mentioned in strengths) is definately a big PLUS. A lot of small bugs were ironed out this way !!!
Home theater use as well, though not as critical as music is outstanding. Dynamics and scores from soundtracks force you to go through your entire DVD collection again and again
Again, too many strengths and positive points to list!
A definite MUST auditioner if you are looking for good value and superb performance without compromise.
Highly, Highly RECOMMENDED !!!

Similar Products Used:

Old Top of the Line Pioneer receiver (non-Elite)