Perhaps the better question would be if I want to upgrade my Anthem AVM/20 in an under 3k processor, what would be the best fit for not only multichannel but also fantastic 2-channel? :-) I'm not married to either Marantz or Integra, but those are the two that keep coming up. There is an Anthem AVM40 trade-in but the lack of ability to decode the HD codecs natively and no room corrections ruled that out in my mind. |
Thanks to both for your input. Everything I'm reading ironically is pushing me to the Marantz even though its a slightly older unit and doesn't' have the latest Audyssey (though MultiEQ Pro had advantages over the XT32 version).
I was reading on one review of a user of Krell and Anthem AVM20 who upgraded to the Marantz and loved it. So, I know you'll always find those types; but given the age of the Anthem AVM20, the advancements in D/A converters, etc. if a $1,500 preamp today truly trounces a $3,000 preamp from 10 years ago. My gut is telling me "yes" more and more.
Additionally, the integration of AirPlay, which is now a free upgrade is also a nice to have feature as I do tend to like the Apple ecosystem and also love to have the flexibility of DLNA as I do have a prototype server setup for sending FLAC files over the network.
I have also thought about the Anthem 50v but at 5k am I getting that much more for audio quality?? It appears that there is now only one major difference (at least on specs) between the D2 and the AVM50v if I recall correctly and it was something to do with the analog input or output. Listen, I love my Anthem, but I just can't afford 5k for a preamp at this point.
Finally, let me confirm what you said about Revel and Harman support. They rival Apple with their rabid (in a good sense) focus on customer service. Questions about my Revels and an issue with DC Offset with my Lexicon were handled in ways I just cannot begin to explain. Just the highest, highest praise for Jason and the team over at Harman tech support. You are not just buying a stellar product, you are getting incredible, personal support after that for as long as you have the product. I do have to say that Anthem tech support has been A+++ as well.
So, if I'm to summarize here, from an audio quality perspective, I basically should here no real difference between the Marantz and the Integra in terms of audio quality and processing in both two channel and multichannel.
The Marantz at that price point is looking better and better all the time. I do truly appreciate and welcome any other thoughts and comments on this! It's our hobby and we love it, breathe it, and take any opportunity we can to talk about it :-) |
Sorry, Kal. 80.2 instead of 70.2 :-) So my recollection was correct on that one.
Don't mean to put you on the spot, but is it a fair shot to say that either the Marantz or Integra would do me well for my purposes going from an Anthem PrePro? I don't need the extra HDMI settings of the Integra and I don't need the added streaming services like Spotify, etc.
The only nice feature that I do use is separate crossover settings between music and movies. I run my M22s down to about 50Hz with the music setting and I pretty much leave the M22s close to 80Hz for movies. I also use the notch filter in the Anthem, but that would likely be taken care of via Audyssey. |
Audioengineer. Thanks. Yes that does indeed help. I think I'm going to take my time and look up the price line a bit. I've been happy with my anthem over the years and maybe I need to increase my budget and look for a used or demo unit of a higher up Anthem than I currently have or a Carey or similar. I'd rather wait a few and get the right thing than not be happy with it at all |
DB, that's a perfect point. I was trying to do an "apples to apples" comparison. The closest I could find (quickly) was a dealer who had both Integra and Anthem. They were pushing me to the Integra vs the Anthem because of the fact that Anthem has not really done any major updates recently and nothing on the horizon (he actually had the D2 at home). While they had nothing in the store to do an "Apples to Apples" it was interesting to hear that. The only caveat--and I've heard this from a few places--that the before and after measurements of the ARC are better. However, I also wonder about that because Audyssey MultiEQ Pro does the same thing (or something similar) if I understand it correctly. But you need to do the Pro version with the calibrated mic. Regardless, I'm encouraged by the fact that it appears as though you can get the same or better audio quality (ISF, video scaling, etc is important but less of a priority) for almost half the price of what it was 10 years ago. |
Ha. Touché. Very nice Kal.
Theo |
Brian,
My issues with the MRX300 are as follows:
1) No balanced out. I use all balanced (XLR) to my amp.
2) ARC doesn't handle the full spectrum if I recall correctly. Anthem has sort of handicapped ARC a bit so that it doesn't affect certain frequencies.
3) It's still a receiver and not separates. |
Let me ask a question about performance and DACs. If I'm looking at the specs of the preamps of the Marantz, Integra 80.3, Anthem 50v, and Carey Cinema 12, then the Integra and Carey should blow the others away because it has a Burr Brown 192/32 and the Anthem 50v appears to still have the older Burr Brown of the AVM30. So in theory, the Anthem should sonically come in *last* of all of them. And, in theory, the Integra should sound as good as the Carey, which is 4x the price of the Integra.
Now, I'm purposely hyperbolizing, but I don't understand why, in theory, a processor with a better DAC would not sound as good as a processor with a lesser DAC. Is there something at play here that I'm missing.
Can someone help educate me?
If we were looking at the Marantz 7005, Integra 80.3, Anthem AVM50v, and Carey Cinema 12, how would they rank in terms of their 2-channel and multi-channel performance? |
Kal, bingo, thanks. That's what I was missing in the equation. So that's where, I would assume, the Carey and Anthem would be justified in both their higher price tags and perhaps better supporting circuitry and implementation? |
I'm going to need some additional guidance. I want to say thanks to everyone who has posted a review. I think I'm going to forego the Integra and the Marantz at this point and as a different question: if I had 3k-4k and was to buy used or demo what brands should I look for? Am I then considering the Classe, Anthem, and Carey lines at that point? And, based on Kal's the sum is greater than the parts comment, am I going to be getting better quality audio. I don't really care so much about the video, while that's important too but lesser. |
Absolutely, no question about it. I have great relationships with my local dealers and I often query them about what I'm looking for. On Saturday I borrowed an AVM50v to test it out. Jaw dropping is one word that came immediately to mind. The build quality speaks for itself. The performance is mesmerizing. I'm looking forward to testing out a few other pieces. I heard the Classe as well and I don't know why but it didn't make me immediately jump. It must have had something to do with the setup there. The system was connected to Paradigm signature speakers and I've come to the conclusion that in the demo rooms where I've been, I just haven't been moved by the Paradigms. In one sense that's odd since I've lived with an AVM20 for so long. I don't have an Integra dealer really close to me so its doubtful I'd be able to do a side by side comparison between the AVM50v and the Integra. However, I'm mightily impressed by the 50v |
I decided to go with another Anthem. The 50v to be precise. It was a great, great choice and would recommend it without issue to anyone. I'm very, very, very, very happy with the setup. Solved all my HDMI switching needs. It integrated wonderfully, sounds incredible and improved on the sound of the AVM20 substantially. I have a tough room, and I've spent time positioning my speakers and ARC did wonders.
I didn't insider the receivers as I have a 7-channel Lexicon with a balanced setup. |
I was able to get it at 50% off. So the price between that and a new/used Integra was minimal. |
Dealer demo from a local dealer I've done business with for a long time. I did *not* do a direct comparison with the MRX.
1) I have all balanced cables in my setup and
2) I didn't want a limited ARC system |
