Bang for the buck; clarity in 2 channel rivals dedicated 2 channel systems; DD as good as it gets; software upgradeable protects your investment

No Dolby Pro Logic II (coming soon-upgrade) Remote no match for Marantz

WOW !! Thats my first response when I fired up this Anthem AVM-20. It is hard to describe the difference in sound compared to my previously used Marantz AV-550. It is like sending water through a 1 inch pipe compared to sending it through a 12 inch pipe. Everything opened up. 2 Channel has depth I never heard before and Dolby Digital is awesome. I had to wait about 3 weeks to get this in but it was worth the wait. Paired with two Parasound HCA-1000's bridged (400 watts per channel into 8 ohms)powering the fronts and a B&K ST-1430 powering the center and surround channels, there is more than enought power to let this pre- amp shine. The Paradigm Studio 40's, Studio Center, surrounds and PW-2200 shake, rattle, and roll on movies and deliver 2 channel stereo with clarity that sounds like some systems costing twice to three times as much. Setup is easy and the Pre-amp interface is logical.

Similar Products Used:

Parasound, Marantz, B&K Ref 20 & 30

Performance, flexibility, rear panel

Nice looking but no Aragon Stage One.

Ok...here are some thoughts: It's heavier than I expected. Around than 30lbs, I'd say. Supposedly the power supply is pretty massive in this thing so I guess that's where the weight comes from. The silver faceplate is both better and worse than I had expected. Better because it has a very nice texture and is a nice thick plate of aluminum (or whatever metal it is). Worse because the surface is too flat...I like a dynamic curve or two in my industrial design. Anthem's promotional photographs do a great job of hiding just how "flat" the AVM-20 is. The rear panel is amazing. All outputs are on a white background while all inputs have a black background. A very tidy set-up. Each assignable input has a digital coax and both S-video and composite video available. There are two component inputs that are assignable to any input. The unit also offers 3 assignable SPDIF digital inputs and an AES/BEU digital input (which I'll NEVER use). Both the balanced analog outs and the single ended RCA outs are always active -so the Anthem can actually control two totally separate 7.1 systems running at the same time. Zone 2 has its own stereo balanced outs as well. There are provisions for dual center speakers and dual subs in both RCA and balanced flavors. The display is really cool. The green on green is easy to read and a nice break from the usual blue on black. Some silly but cool features allow for 15 dimmer settings for the display. You can even set how long after adjustments are made that the dimmer reverts to its original setting. The remote is pretty nice too. It has a really cool "rubbery" feel to it (and it glows a cool blue). It's both learning and pre-programmed with codes. It's a little busy with buttons but I could use it if the Proto were to die (knock on wood). I disassembled the whole HT today and calibrated the AVM-20 via SPL meter. I'm not going to deliver a review full of goofy descriptions of what I heard. Rather I'll give a couple of examples. About a month ago I started a thread asking if different preamps really sounded different. After adding an amp to my system I really couldn't fathom how a DSP and some DACs could have much of a performance impact on my system. Well, $3000 later I've answered my own question. There is no question it sounds better across the board than my HK AVR-7000 (as a preamp). There's no point in desc

Sound, ease of use, 7 channels plus sub, 3 zones, future-proof hardware and software upgradable

Only I have been able to master the remote control

This is one great piece of equipment. I have let it completely burn in and I am very impressed with the sound. I shopped around for quite a while, looking at Denon receivers and demoing B&K before settling in on the AVM 20. I have good, but not great speakers, but the AVM 20 paired with the Anthem PVA 7 makes them sound wonderful. In two channel stereo I had to feel the center speaker to make sure it was not on. Classical, Jazz, Acoustic Rock, Blues all sounds good. I just listened to the Steview Ray Vaugn DVD of Austin City Limits - you can hear the click when hits the pick-up switch on the guitar - never heard that before. Also, movies are great. I think most of the sound systems in the theaters stink now. The 7 channel surround kicks in very often (even with X-Box games). Oh yeah, Halo on the X-Box, using the optical connects, you can hear the aliens sneaking up behind you. Very flexible, my 7 year old has no problem operating it, oh yeah, there are volume max settings so he can't blow anything up. Easy software upgrade - I have done it a couple of times.

Similar Products Used:

I demo'd many other separates, nothing with 7 channels comes close.

Everything

Non

FABULOUS! It''s got everything you could possibly want and sounds nothing short of extraordinary. I am using it with Anthem Amp2 and PVA7; speakers are JMLab Electra 915.

Sound, Sound, Sound, features, future proof.

Are you serious?

Outstanding sound in every area. I can''t believe how much better this sounds than my old AVM2! I compared this AVM 230 to alot of high end pre-amps costing up to 3 times the money and the Anthem sounds just as good but kills them in features, warranty and upgradability. If you are serious about sound then you will not beat the Anthem at or above this price point!

Awesome sound, awesome connectivity, Awesome looks. To get better performance in analog direct, you really have to spend 2k or more. The AVM20 as a DAC is very very good.

None what so ever. I do wish Anthem would make matching source gear.

This is my first preamp and of course my first amp, the MCA-2. I had listened to the B&K Ref 30 and Sunfire Theater Grand II. Parasound didn''t have 7.1 and didn''t seem to offer upgrades. The Theater Grand had DAC upgrade paths and sounded very good. The Ref 30 was the unit I was about to buy when a local dealer introduced me to the AVM20. Not the unit, but the documentation on the AVM20. I was able to demo the AVM2. Because the AVM2 sounded as good as the Ref 30 with better connectivity, I ordered an AVM20. After having the unit since December of 2001, I can tell you I am over joyed with my 2 channel sound. I have a Toshiba DVD player and a Audio Refinement CD player as my sources. The 400 dollar DVD player as a CD transport sounds better than the 800 dollar CD player in analog direct. The digital play back of the AVM20 is just awesome. This unit images very well with an upfront sound stage. Two things I love. I borrowed a Linn amp to play across a pair of Linn Ninkas. The AVM20 into the Linn gear provided a huge increase in both musical resolution and warmth. I could have spent 1500 dollars more for a Casanova, but the increase in sound quality didn''t seem to warrant the difference in cost. I use analog direct for my TV and CD player. In fact, I only watch TV with my sound through the AVM20 with no center channel what so ever. When a movie trailer plays, you can feel it. This is the best add for digital cable with streaming digital audio for me. ( Yes, I realize one is analog and the other digital.) When using my CD player in analog direct mode, I have been very impressed. My system becomes a little darker, but sounds great. At first I thought this setup was a little laid back, then I turned up the volume. It wasn''t laid back at all, but the AVM20 seperated the instruments from the noise floor very well. The music became louder with more detail yet perfectly quit at all the right spots. I think Anthem''s adds are true. They raised the bar with the AVM20. The AVM20 provides superb sound playback in both analog and digital modes with great looks at a very reasonable price. The silver shows up great against our dark blue carpet. Now if we can just get Anthem to produce a matching DVD player.

Similar Products Used:

B&K Ref 30, Sunfire Theater Grand II, Parasound AVC2500, Classe SSP25/SSP30, and ThetaDigital Casanova in this order. To me, the AVM20 sits just between the Classe and the Casanova. I thought

Build quality, heavy and nice front panel.Future-proof and upgradeable through software at home or at factory.Can hook-up to 8 speakers & 2 sub if you have the room.

Manual could be better.No Dolby Pro-logic II only two pronged powercord and button on remote kind of mushy.

This is my first purchased seperate pre-amp after about 10 year listening to all kind of different one box receivers. I used to own Marantz 7000, SR-19, Denon 2801, Yamaha RX-800 and RX-1000 but after a while listened to them, I still felt like music is missing something,for movie it was O.K with these receivers. So I decided to get something different and I had a chance to compare between the AVM-20, Parasound AV-2500 and the Lexicon MC-1. Overall decision I think the MC-1 sound very detail, sweet, bass is tight and accurate but the Anthem gives a wider soundstage and sound is warmer than the Lexicon . The Parasound didn''t even come close not to mention the quality build (all 3 pre-amp were hook-up with Boston acoustics speakers and Acurus power amp). And for half the price compared with the MC-1 I got to go with the Anthem, and was glad I made the right choice cause after couple weeks listening , the sound of the Anthem was really open-up , speed was pick-up a bit more but especially was the soundstage and dynamics level improved a lot more than the beginning when first brought it home. Like sometimes I put it on 2 channel stereo mode for music, after about 15 minutes listening, I was wondering why the center and surround speakers were on also ? But actually they were not because the AVM-20 gave out a very big and nice soundstage plus the level of dynamics was absolutely powerful. I always got to go and touch my other speakers to make sure they are not on when it''s in stereo mode. Lastly I like to let people know that if you want to seriously listen to music go separate. Trust me !

Similar Products Used:

Used Boston VRM-60 as front speakers,VR910 as center,Mirage OM-R2 for surround. Two Polk sub-woofer PSW140, Sony Wega XBR400 TV, Panasonic DVD RP-91N,Marantz CC-3000 cd changer,Sony cassette deck. Pow

very very quiet, sound, build quality, video, features, upgradable...the list could go on and on!

absolutly none

The Anthem AVM20 is an outstanding performer, period! I would like to mention three things that would bug the heck out of me with past units owned or demonstrated. The first thing I would like to mention is that there is no clicking or popping what so ever when switching sources or when powering the unit on. The second thing I noticed is that it runs cool. Other preamps owned in the past ran extremely hot, so hot that I could sell my cooking stove! And the last big thing I would like to mention is that you hear no hummmming, buzzing, hissing, etc!! So you audiophiles out there with preamps bugging you with any of the above mentioned bugs go ahead and give this unit a demo, you will not be disappointed! It is so quiet when turned on that you could hear a pin drop. As far as sound goes...everything you have read in other reviews are true, consumer reviews or lab reviews. The sound is just phenomenal - from Classical, Rock, Pop, Movies, anything I feed it from any source just is out of this world when it comes down to the AVM20''s sound. I do hear things that have never been heard before with past units. Video is crystal clear. I feel the AVM20 actually cleans up the picture. So it gives me that balance of Audio and Video quality that one would expect from such a unit. Features are to many to mention. If you would like to review the features just go to www.sonicfrontiers.com. This site will answer any questions you may have, or you can E-Mail Sonic.(Their customer service is above par). MY FAVORITE FEATURE IS THAT YOU CAN UPGRADE. What value! Now I do not feel that my purchase will be outdated in two weeks...Ahhhh I am very pleased with this unit. I feel that the way AVM20 is built and what it has inside of it for parts will give me years and years of enjoyable listening and viewing! I would also like to thank Sonic Frontiers for such a well built, fantastic piece of hometheater equipment. They are definetly breaking the sound barrier!!

Similar Products Used:

Adcom, Rotel, B&K, Acurus, Proceed, NAD

Aesthetics, configureability, upgradeability, 6.1 analog pass-through, 1080p video switching... just to name a few.

None as yet

I spent much time researching a system to replace my aging Sony 90ES receiver. One of my main considerations in a unit was the availability of analog inputs for multichannel sound. After reading countless reviews, the AVM 20 seemed a great choice because of its features (too many to list), sound reproduction, price & upgradeability. I purchase the AVM 20 with Anthem''s MCA 5 200watt amp with balanced interconnects. Setup of the system was simple & incredibly robust. Even prior to break-in of the amplifier, I notice an amazing difference in sound. I noticed subtleties in classic pieces I had not noticed. Most exciting of all was the addition of SACD multichannel sound. The clarity, smoothness, imagery of the music is breathtaking. Anyone who is considering purchasing a highend system must audition the AVM 20 or at least read the multiple accolades it has received from AudioRevolution.com, The Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity (www.hometheaterhifi.com), and Home Theater & Sound(www.hometheatersound.com/).

* Great Detail and Smoothness * Awesome Video Quality * Multi-room, Multi-source capability * Ease of setup and use * Features: timers, volume limiters, etc...

*Somewhat polite and mellow sonically compared to reference pre-pro * Soundstage transparency is lacking compard to reference pre-pro * Remote is confusing, tries to do too much with one set of buttons

I purchased the AVM20 as a potential replacement for my current AV Pre-Pro: The Theta Casablanca I (standard DACs). My hope was to get sound for music at least as good as the Theta for less money with the added benefit of multi-room, multi-source capability. My comparsion of the AVM-20 to the Casablanca follows: Setup: * Matched levels to within 1 DB * Onkyo M-301 300 Disc DVD/CD megachanger via coax digital output * Martin Logan Sequel II+ Electrostatic Hybrids high pass filtered at 80hz to * Definitive Technology PF15TL+ Sub * Goertz Alphacore interconnects and speaker cable Sunfire Cinema Grand 200W X5 Amp using voltage source (solid state sounding) terminals Key points (AVM20 Sonic Strengths): * Tubelike pabability (lacking in Theta) * Superior detail and smoothness * Superior sound at high levels (85-92DB) Key points (AVM20 Sonic Strength or Weakness depending on your values): * I had to turn volume up quite a bit more to get the detail and dynamic contrast the Theta offers Key points (AVM20 Sonic Weaknesses): * Homogonizes the soundstage on live recordings-live recording space sounds similar to studio recordings * A little bit too polite and mellow on some recordings (especially rock) So, I still give the AVM20 a 5-star rating, but with caveats concerning the music you like to listen to, and at what levels. Value rating is 6 or 7

Similar Products Used:

Theta Casablanca Proceed PAV Acurus ACT 3