Part I (Software version = 1.00)

After receiving a voicemail from one of the local A/HT establishments confirming that their AVM20 had arrived, I gave it an all too brief listen. The system consisted of a ~ $1,000 Toshiba DVD-A (forget the model), the ‘20 feeding an Anthem MCA 5 (don’t know if it was Series I or II) amp. which in turn drove some 3-way bookshelf Energy Veritas; and the sub. (nestled along a side wall) was one of Energy’s versions of a Sunfire. Also, I’m not sure what the interconnects and speaker cables were; nonetheless, the system was in a ~ 14’x15’x 8.5’ room with the speakers right up against a wall in line with a few others parked right next to ‘em. The demo material consisted of a Beethoven DVD-A (don’t know the orchestra, venue, who recorded it, and on what equipment) and the first 15 minutes of Vertical Limit. Caveat: not having the time to position the speakers or adjust system parameters (it took the sales person ~10 minutes just to find the crossover setup menu), I listened...

Having heard a Lexicon MC 12 (hours of use unknown) feeding an Anthem MCA 5 in another room for comparison (I know, acoustics alone can make for major shifts in the final result), driving some other Veritas, it’s safe to say that the AVM20 nonetheless had a great deal going for it in this case. Under these conditions the ‘20 sounded as though it has the potential to better the ’12 in quite a few areas - cost not withstanding. After all, just because something costs more don't mean it's worth it. I’m not knocking the ’12 in the least; it’s a law of diminishing returns.

Given the asking price and initial performance of the ’20, it is the rare component that merits the ‘12’s asking price for what I’m looking for; and in this (again) all too brief listen, it doesn’t. Understanding that there are certain trade-offs in design, functionality, and performance it stands to reason (with just about any hobby) “if you can afford it and it makes you happy, then so be it”. But I was initially looking at a cost versus audio performance ratio and the ’12 - to me under those conditions, simply wasn’t worth it.

With both components in the same room, rig, fully broken-in and properly setup, it may be another story, but that wasn’t the case here. Given all of the above, and with about 2 hours on it, the AVM20 sounded very clean from top-to-bottom (with a slight touch of grain from the upper midrange through the treble) open and dynamic. As the speakers weren’t setup properly, I couldn’t tell a great deal about the soundstaging and imaging characteristics, but there was the greatest hint that there was a lot more to be wrested from the ’20. For instance, though there was the aforementioned (slight) grain (which I’m not sure was all of the ‘20’s fault), it was already lending credibility to draw one into the performance. Course if so moved, one could be drawn to a piece played through a tabletop radio, I certainly have. But in the realm of higher fidelity, the AVM20 displayed the initial ability to help suspend disbelief as to its rendition of acoustic accuracy. As far as video switching goes, I didn’t get a chance to see either pre/pro in and out of circuit, so I have nothing to go on there...

Again these are initial, brief, and very rough impressions; nevertheless ones that will find me auditioning the ‘20 again under far better circumstances!


Part II

Background: As I am designing a new home with a dedicated HT (thanks to insight from Russ Herschelmann’s series in SGHT), I thought I’d find a pre/pro that does everything I wanted now along with upgrade paths for the future. Therefore, what happened was one of those rare occasions where the planets happened to align just right to purchase a new piece of gear. After all, I was in the market (always helps), the AVM20 just debuted, AND I just happenend to be at a dealer in Canada carrying the ‘20 with which one can bargain; allowing me to take further advantage of the favorable US/Canadian exchange rate.

Great for starters, ‘cause I needed a Pre/Pro/Tuner with (first and foremost) superb sonics, with all of the stuff the ’20 has combined with ease of operation, great aesthetics, and from (hopefully) a company I trusted. Oh yeah, and it had to have full analog bypass - all for around $2,500.00.

Enter a good deal of bargaining skills, a willing dealer, and the Anthem AVM20. While the lack of high-end aesthetics (there are better looking receivers out there) put a slight dent in the “yeah it’s MSRP is ___ and it looks it” bragging rites (important), it’s nonetheless an outstanding performer; enough in fact to compare favorably to my Sonic Frontiers Line I! ‘Sides when the goal is to enjoy the performance anyway, who needs to be distracted by rather plain-jane looking gear? I’ll just eventually hide it away in a rack so as not to distract from the event at hand. But the event at hand and its ability to draw one into it, is where the ’20 shines. Whether helping to reproduce music or movies, the ‘20 is among the top of a very selective bell curve.

Functionality
Cons.
First of all, the low contrast lime green text on top of swamp green background on-board display has got to go. When you’re a company with a well-known reputation for manufacturing high-end audio gear, why choose an extremely low fidelity visual medium to communicate information to your intended market (those with a more generous budget toward greater audio and visual fidelity)? And when stuck in a darkened room what’s the sense of having the extra (read backlit) light pollution when you don’t wanna use the on-screen generator but want to catch info. at a glance without disturbing the rest of your audience? For that matter, it is far easier to read the displays on just about any receiver I’ve seen, than it is with the AVM20 (something to be said for lit text on a dark background). Though one can dim and turn off the display along with the panel lights, there’s still no excuse for this lack of function/usability especially given the intended marketplace and cost of the unit. Chalk it up to another dent in buyer satisfaction.

The lack of an incoming data width and frequency display mode is disconcerting. This is obviously helpful in discerning the benefits of various digital encoding rates and frequencies. It is also helpful in verifying manufacturer’s claims for a given player’s digital output. After talking with certain individuals at SF, I understand that this function takes a simple software upgrade and may be included in an upcoming revision.

Upon powering-on the unit, there is a small “power glitch” heard through the speakers. Though this can be ameliorated at the users end, it doesn’t take much from the manufacture’s side to disengage the outputs until the unit has powered-up.

The roughly one second delay between pressing a button on the remote and the AVM’s response to it is disconcerting.

18 FM presets is pretty low, and the inability to bypass the AM band when rifling through presets is also annoying. While on the topic, it would be nice to have assignable stereo, hi-blend, or mono attributes for each preset; if this is already available, I haven’t found it.

When using one of the zone sleep timers (a very useful function), the otherwise dimmed (in my case) on-board display will temporarily brighten with each minute decremented; also annoying.

And of course the manual isn’t a model of usefulness, but it is at least better than some I have seen. For instance, there are whole functions concerning the remote that are never explained at the point of interest. As a consultant who researches, designs, and delivers courses to just about everyone on the corporate ladder, end-user manuals - their function, layout, and utility are high priorities on my list; not to mention aesthetics of the equipment concerned.

Points of interest:
There is no power on/off button on the AVM’ itself, merely pressing one of the input, FM preset, or zone buttons on the unit will power it up; or you can just hit the “Power On” button via the remote!

There is full bass management for a multi-channel analog source.

While there is a cost penalty for the upcoming DPII upgrade, there may be those who don’t want this feature right away, so they don’t have to pay for it up front which keeps the AVM20’s debut cost lower.

A certain hardware and software upgrade path is designed into the unit, but the usability of these paths depends on how adaptable SF designed the unit to be, and of course the direction of future market trends.

Pros:
There are almost too many to mention, and considering that I purchased mine for just a tick over $2,500 US, it is actually a very good investment considering its ability to handle audio was my greatest concern. After all, if I can’t be drawn into a musical event through a perspective P/P or P/P/T, then all else fails and I take my aspirations and wallet elsewhere. After all, I certainly want the intended gear to perform far greater than it’s price tag would indicate; and the ’20 does just that.

The volume control is in the signal path during full analog bypass mode for any given input.

The 10 balanced and 10 SE outputs provide easy capability for using the balanced connections for channel amps with the SE’s used for discrete channel subwoofers (if so inclined). And if so inclined, you’ll need to perform a few menu selections, and use an external crossover between the ’20 and its intended recipients.

24/192 DAC’s for each channel are nice.

The fact that the unit operates merely above room temp. (in a semi-enclosed cabinet) should help its longevity.

Each input is assignable for name and input mode (digital, analog direct, or analog DSP) is a great touch.

SF/Anthem’s eye toward parts choice, circuit designs, grounding plains, software implementation, et. al., have certainly helped, as this unit is very quiet when listening to material through it! Speaking of which, I understand they grabbed some guru to write their source code for certain proprietary functions, like being able to hear stereo output in Zone Two from a multi-channel analog source. While I haven’t been able to verify this yet, it is nice to know that they had certain usability in mind during the design process.

Center Eq/TV Size Eq. Depending on whether your center channel is placed on a bookshelf or right near your monitor or screen, SF employs a thoughtful function that allows one to counteract the increased “baffle” size the center channel may encounter.

Selectable Subwoofer crossover frequency between 40 and 160Hz in 10Hz increments.

The ability to extract low bass from “small” speakers while augmenting the bass output from “large” speakers is a nice selection.

There are Zones 1, 2, 3, and a recording path, where one can send any source to any zone. Also, the “Simulcast” function is pretty cool as it allows one to view a given video source while listening to a completely separate audio source. Nice touch...

Timers that one can program in advance to enable the unit so you don’t miss a given recording, or just have it come-on just before you get home, then turn-off when you go to sleep!

The “Audio Group Delay” function is nice as well, in that it allows audio to synch-up with a video source when the video is routed through a line doubler, etc.

You can also preset bass and treble attributes for a given input, which is independent of the bass and treble controls on the unit, which can be thankfully bypassed, with just the touch of a button - gotta love that!

There’s also a selection to use dipole surrounds and rear speakers.

Another great forethought is the ’20 can memorize the input level of any given source, eliminating the need to adjust individual speaker levels when switching between sources.

It has 2 component video in’s, 1 out; there are 3 I.R inputs on the back, along with 2 emitters, and 3 relay triggers. I’m sure that there are probably more features in this already heavily laden unit that I have yet to discover; but suffice it to say for now, that the ’20 is LOADED!

My HT is one in the making however, as it stands now, it goes something like this:

Equipment
Sony DVP-C650D DVD Player
WireWorld Starlight III
Anthem AVM20
Nordost Blue Heaven’s (balanced)
Sunfire two-channel (voltage outs)
KimberKable 4TC speaker cables
Martin Logan Sequel I’s
KimberKable Hero Interconnects
Adcom 555
Dual CAT5 computer cable braided in dual runs
B&W 602 S-2’s for surrounds
Tributaries Video Cable
Either a Sunfire True II or a Paradigm PW2200
The video monitor shall remain nameless at this time ;-)


Part III (Prelim.)

I’m sure you can readily empathize with the various emotions welling-up inside when you get a new piece of equipment installed in your rig, and you’re ready to play the inaugural music or movie selection through it. When the hardware and software are well chosen and working properly, it is hands-down one of the best times to experience audio/video reproduction with those you love or by yourself!

Given that and a penchant for music, my christening piece for the ’20 was the movie “Amadeus”. With the musical score recorded first and the action “choreographed” around it, it seemed only fitting, and so it was... Cold, outta the box and ready to provide me and mine YEARS of pleasure, the AVM’ made its debut in my system. From the opening scene, it was clear the Anthem wanted nothing more than to get out of the way of the music, which only increased the satisfaction wrought during my try-B4-you-buy research. Sure it sounded a little threadbare but hey, it just woke up.

Nonetheless, as it provided a verrry nice rendition of the wood, bow, and surrounding acoustic of the violins (instead of sounding as though rendered through a cheap synthesizer) in the opening movement, I was elated. Combine that with the emotional communiqué from Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and I gleefully received my first (since the ‘20’s debut) and all-too-important: goose bumps... Indeed, it IS times like this that make times like this, and I could be none the happier. For I was able to forget about how the ’20 may break-in and just simply get involved in the movie. Jinkies, and it only gets bettuh from here...

About 40 or so hours later of use, finds me in front of “the system” with my newborn son nestled in my lap as he drifts off to sleep. Wanting to help usher his time into dreamland, I advanced the Sony’s carriage (a 5 disc DVD player) to a “Solitudes” CD I oft times use when writing manuals. “Solitudes” http://www.solitudes.com/intro.html is a series of CD’s put out by one Dan Gibson that has music lightly interspersed with recordings of natural settings (streams, forests, what-have-you). This particular CD is called “Land of the Loon”, and though I’ve listened to it as “background music”, I was not prepared for what I heard. Somewhere around Track 11 finds a wolf howling in the foreground with a pack occasionally answering in the background. The shock came from how far back - the pack was. This wasn’t one of those “I can hear behind the wall of the speakers” kinda thing. Oh no. This was way and I mean WAY-HAY-HAY past the neighbor’s two doors down, and this by no means is an exaggeration. Good thing I was hangin’ onto the young Squire because I was startled as I sat! With mouth agape and child in tow, I slowly made way to the CD’s “jewel case” and began to read... A 20-bit recording, with (if I remember right) techniques used to represent as much of the natural occurrence as possible. Well Dan and company did a darn good job! This went beyond soundstaging and imaging within the stage, after all it was outside so it had to (couldn’t resist)! I actually experienced a pleasant rendition of a natural vista in my living room. Matter-o-fact, I will now use this CD (among other software) as test material for new components. And if THAT aint enough to tell you how venerable the ’20 is nothing else may.

Go thee hence and listen wisely my brethren, for you will be all the better...

Transparancy, great DACs, very very quiet. Totally grain-free preamp

Some flexibility wrt speaker configuration

Over the past year I have been searching for a modern HT preamp that also had a great front end for music. About a year ago I took home the AVM2 to audition it, and came away not too impressed given the features, price and 2-ch performance. Over the past 6 moths I'd considered B&K gear, but it totally sucked 2-ch (very grainy) and the Rotel gear was just not up to date on the SSP side.

I was frankly expected the AVM-20 to offer a similar sound to the AVm-2, but from the first CD I listened to, I was grinning. Must be the 192 DACS, I don't know, but I have never had a preamp in my system (including VK-5i) that offered the degree of transparency, air and delicacy of the AVM-20. Could not be happier with its performance sonically.

My first complaint has to do with flexibility of surround setups. Speaker config is universal. That is, once you define which speakers are present in your system, all modes use that config. I guess most people wouldn't care about this, but think about the following.... 7.1 setup with direct radiators in the back and dipole side surrounds. Now you want to use all the speakers for DTS ES, but what if you want to listen to SACD using rear speakers instead of side surrounds? Sorry, 6-ch input allows you to use ONLY side surrounds. In addition, the software will not let you choose rear speakers if you have NONE selected for side speakers! I think Anthem needs to work on improving the flexibility of speaker config. B&K is much more flexible in this regard.

Second Complaint
I also miss having the capability to store surround and systems configurations in a user-selectable locations. I think all menu-selectable itmes, including speaker config, volume levels, even disply brightness should be savable in a single format that you can call up one-button. I want config #3 to be DVD input with display off at volume -20dB and DD THX with sub set to super and Zone 2 video pathed from the DVD input...and I want it by pushing one button!

Sonically, very satisfied 5*. Flexibiity, only a 4* which to me reduces overall value to 4*. Overall rating 5*

Similar Products Used:

Similar products from B&K, Rotel, and AVM2

Wonderful soundstage. Great detail and transparancy. Ungradeability!!

Remote's learning capacity is very limited.

My dealer let me bring one home for a test drive and the moment I first listened, befor even configuring it properly, I knew it was bye-bye to my B&K Ref 30 and hello Anthem AVM 20. My dealer had to special order this item for me and the wait seemed endless as I was dizzy with anticipation. Sonically it is equaly strong in both two channel and 7.1. The Anthem AVm 20 offers several XLR inputs and outputs, remarkable in this price range. If your amplifier has the ability to accept XLR inputs and you have not yet taken advantage of it, please do--you will not be disappointed.

You truly will hear detail in sources that you never even knew were there before. The soundstage is so wide at first I thought I must accidently have it switched to surround mode.

With the Ver. 1.10 free software download Anthem has all but eliminated what was a real pet peeve of mine with the B&K and other high end AV Pre/Pro units, that is the loud popping that occurs not only when changing sources but when scrolling through channels on Satelite and skipping chapters on DVD's. The B&K was realy bad with this even when just fast forwarding through TIVO.

Setup of the Anthem was straight forward and I found the manual very good, although a nicer binding would have been a good thing.

My only real complaint is with the poor remote. The remote itself functions fine, however the lack of even a single macro being available and the remotes ability to learn a maximum 24 commands at best is inexplicable, especially with the price of memory these days. So I have to add an additional $125.00 that I spent to purchase the wonderful Home Theater Master® MX500 remote to the total cost of the Anthem AVM 20. The good news is even at that it is a remarkable overall value.

Thank you Paradigm & Sonic Frontiers for your wonderful Anthem AVM 20.

Similar Products Used:

B&K Ref. 30

Loads of Detail, HT sound that really brings you into the movie, Great 2 ch as well

Weak manual, No presets, rear speakers cannot be engaged on anything but 5.1 material

I was an owner of a B&K Ref 30 for many months and was quite happy with its performance. I had been waiting impatiently for the upgrade which was no where in site. I was also getting upset with B&K's lack of support in communication. But even so I was not really in the market for a new Processor...that is until I heard the Anthem AVM 20. Right away I noticed a difference. The surrounds and imaging of this unit just bring you right into the movie. The water scenes in Castaway blew me away. Even in Toy Story II when the toys are driving the car I heard things I had never heard before. And even by the sales persons own admission the setup of the surrounds was not that good. They were on very short stands tucked away half way behind other speakers in the room. But even so, the sound was better than I ever heard from my Ref 30.

Two channel music is wonderful as well. My SACD's sound terrific. Not sure how much better than the B&K though. Both have the Analog bypass. But on 2 channel CDs going through the digital input on the Anthem do sound noticably better than the Ref 30.

As for weaknesses, it does have a few. Manual is skimpy, but that does not really bother me that much. I do miss the B&K presets. Also if you have Pronto you cannot get it to do the volume right. If you hold down the volume it does not keep going up like you would think. You have to choose between having the volume go up VERY fast or .5 db at a time. The repeat mechanism must be built into the remote not the unit. And my biggest complaint is the fact that you cannot get the rears on except for 5.1 material with THX engaged. I would like to see the rears treated like B&K does it with the left rear cloning the left side and the right rear cloning the right side in any mode you want with the ability to turn on EX processing (with or without THX)

I am sure all but the most fussy audiophiles (not to mention rich becuase to beat it you need lots more $$$) would be very happy with unit. Great for both HT and Stereo.

I give it 5 stars for value and 5 for an overal rating becuase thats as about as good as you will get for anywhere near the price.

Similar Products Used:

B&K Ref 30, Denon 5600

Sound, transparency, detail, features, upgradable.

None at this price.

This is a very neutral pre amp. If you do not want to compramise 2 channel music then you will be pleased with the sound. It produces a very smooth grain free sound with excellent detail a wide soundstage and is overall true to the source. I tried the AVM 2 a year ago and did not like it because it sounded slightly forward and un refined, the AVM 20 has an all new analog output and many other improvements ( DAC's etc. )that make a huge improvement in smothness and sound quality. Surround performance is outstanding. Steering is excellent, detail and again overall smoothness make a seamless sound enviroment. The features are easy and logical to use, I really like being able to make adjustments on the fly for surround levels and modes. There is an uphrade due in April that will include PL 2 and all discrete EX modes as well as other improvements. It will be a hardware and software upgrade that you will be able to do yourself by changing one of the computer cards inside of the unit. New Software versions are already availible via the web to upgrade the current software for the AVM 20. There is excellent support from the factory for this unit. Combine the features with the sound and you have a winner and will need to spend alot more money to get a better piece.

Similar Products Used:

Classe ssp 30, ssp 25, B&K, anthem avm 2, Acurus, marantz sr19ex, sr 18.

Over all sound quality, build quality, flexibilty, ease of use.

Due to its numerous features & flexibility a manual with more detail would be helpful with the advanced or unusual features.

I have a bias to music over movies, but I do aspire to the hi-end in both areas & in one system. With the promise of high resolution audio on the horizon(DVD-A & SACD)I began on an upgrade path 2 1/2 years ago. I began auditioning A/V preamps 1 1/2 years ago following the amplification and main speaker upgrade. I did not expect my preamp investigations to take this long but the formats are just now becoming readily available, even as they continue to evolve(digital interface having just been announced,DPLII, etc.).I planned the sequence for this upgrade to start from the most mature/stable technology(speakers)& to end with the most recent(soucre components).I believe in this fashion I can properly match the components for the best possible sound & avoid obsolescence.

With the introduction of the AVM 20 in the fall of 2001 I felt the appropriate blend of features , upgradeability & sound qulity had been reached(the AVM 2 had been on my short list along with the B&K Ref 30). I have now lived with this preamp since the begining of December, use it on a daily basis, & love it.

The previous review does a good job of listing most of the features. I would add it has an oversized main toroidal power supply for the audio side and a seperate power unit for the various 12v needs. The DSP chip is the latest Motorola 56366 Digital DNA operating at 120 MHz. It also has hi-end 24/96 ADCs with the ability to select an output of 16/44 or 24/88 to one or a pair of coax digital outputs. This would allow the high quality transfer of LPs or other analouge sources to a digital recording format such as CD or direct the output to another zone or zones. There are other features, some of which I have yet to explore.

Although complex in its flexibility, after following through the advanced set up in the manual, I found the interface with this preamp largely intuative. I kept the manual close at hand however and referred to it from time to time as I explored some of the units options. The back-lit remote is now second nature to me.

Music reproduction is outstanding.With my purchase of this AV preamp I have retired my Dac-In-The-Box & now route the digital signal of my Pioneer CLD-703 directly to the Anthem. The result is a significant leap forward.The Anthem is quiet & the lack of grain allows the music to come from a very black background helping with the resolution of the small, but oh so important details.The decay of a plucked string, attack of a drum beat, the lack of sibilance with cymbals or voice are a few examples where my system went from good to excellent with the installation of this preamp.

For acoustic music my test disc is The Chuck Israels Quartet: The Bellingham Sessions Vol 2(www.audioideas.on.ca).The reproduction of this intimate venue and solid placement of the instruments is nothing short of startling. The powerful string bass is tightly controled but tuneful. The brush work on the drums and cymbals sound very natural. The piano is real & of appropriate size(sometimes the sonic image of a piano is too large).

For more energetic music my test disc is the wonderful Vertigo album by Jesse Cooke(Virgin 72438-45988-2-2). The pace & dynamic range of this complex flamenco style album can show up difficulties with the resolution of a system. With the Anthem the lightning fast fingers on the guitar are distinct & the full dynamic range of the music realized. On track three, when the cello comes in, the sense of realism is so great I get chills that go on for minutes as the bow works across the strings. Truly amazing. The last track has Holly Cole's version of Fragile. A good test for female voice on which the Anthem delivers.(this is a desert island disc)

For male voice I use the Barenaked Ladies Gordon album(Sire/Reprise w2 26956)being familiar with thier live performances. Again the vocals are natural. The sound, bang on.

For rock I use the very familiar Fleetwood Mac Rumours & Dire Straights Brother In Arms. These old standards sound fresh again. There is a presence with the Anthem but it is smooth and not sharp or "digital" sounding. Even with sessions that go on for hours I have yet to experience listener fatigue.

I do not have the source components to use the 5.1 analog inputs. I have no doubt however the limiting factor will be the players DACs.

For movies the results have been no less enjoyable. I cannot say if the explosions or crash sounds are accurate, not having been present for many such events in real life, but I can tell you the Anthem presents them in a way that seems real. Dialog is clear, bass very clean & well controled. The subtle clues, such as birds, wind, rain, etc are rendered with a realisim that allows the illusion of the movie to draw you in. When the action heats up the explosions are handled with equal aplomb. I cannot wait to add dipole speakers and the MCA 2 to take advantage of the EX format.

Highly recommended.

My system at this time & planned upgrades:
amp: Anthem MCA 5
amp: (to add MCA 2)
main speakers: Paridigm Reference Studio 100 v2,
bi-wired
centre: Reference CC, bi-wired
subwoofer: Velodyne F-1500
rear: Koss 150(to upgrade)
Surrounds: (to add dipole speakers)
CD/LD: Pioneer CLD-703
Video: Dishnetwork
DVD: Samsung 101(to upgrade)
power conditioner:Adcom ACE-515
cables: various (to upgrade)

Similar Products Used:

None owned. Many makes & models auditioned in the past 1 1/2
years. Have been holding off for 5ch bass management. Had been using the pre outs of a Pioneer VSX-D1S reciever.