I want to add that the avm20 is an awesome piece. I am a total cheap head and have NEVER spent anything like this for a piece but after auditioning, the anthem is a clear winner. What made me check it out was just the fact that I did see a ton of good things about it. At first its not the best looking piece ever made and never heard of the name anthem before looking at processors so I was a bit biased to want nothing to do with it. I am glad i did!
What did I try you ask! Being I did not want to go much over $3,200 I did not try the big boys like Theata and such, But did try B&K 50, which in two channel was a joke to the anthem. Also a joke to the anthem was the was rotel 1068 though in fairness to rotel this piece is only $$1,800. The krell showcase ($4,000) which I had for a month was the closest to the anthem. In sound it was not nearly as sweet in two channel. The anthem was smoother and also remember the Krell not as localized with the singers voice. Sometimes when the anthem was playing I thought that my center channel was on.
If you go for the avm20 make sure its the latest one. I bought mine this April, so it has the latest board which will allow me to get the "x" for prologic2 when its available to download. Ask if you need to know how to find out if its the latest board. I'm glad to have the 20 because I have seen this piece in both black and silver and though black can be fine, I really think it does no justice for this piece and I believe the 30 is only in black??? The silver looks awesome with this piece and is worth having the latest avm20 for!
What did I try you ask! Being I did not want to go much over $3,200 I did not try the big boys like Theata and such, But did try B&K 50, which in two channel was a joke to the anthem. Also a joke to the anthem was the was rotel 1068 though in fairness to rotel this piece is only $$1,800. The krell showcase ($4,000) which I had for a month was the closest to the anthem. In sound it was not nearly as sweet in two channel. The anthem was smoother and also remember the Krell not as localized with the singers voice. Sometimes when the anthem was playing I thought that my center channel was on.
If you go for the avm20 make sure its the latest one. I bought mine this April, so it has the latest board which will allow me to get the "x" for prologic2 when its available to download. Ask if you need to know how to find out if its the latest board. I'm glad to have the 20 because I have seen this piece in both black and silver and though black can be fine, I really think it does no justice for this piece and I believe the 30 is only in black??? The silver looks awesome with this piece and is worth having the latest avm20 for!