2. home-theater
  3. 182268-179797

Anthem vs Arcam

I am trying to upgrade my receiver. I currently have the Marantz 5015. A lot of folks recommend the Anthem and the Arcam. I have owned Emotiva products in the past and don’t want to own another at the moment. I need something that supports 4K. Do not need 8K. Do not need >7 channels. I am currently only running 3 and will only ever go up to 7 maybe...
I do not need the processor to have any amps as I have an external amp.

I like the look of the Anthem AVM70 but cant find a used one in my budget. The AVM60 looks decent but I saw a poor reviews of its SINAD performance on this thread (https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/anthem-avm60-review-av-processor.20155/)

I then started looking at Arcam receivers but don’t know much yet about them.

I want something that will last a few years. Doesn’t struggle with HDMI issues. Has a clean interface and is relatively easy to setup. Offers the OSD overlaid on 4K content. Has decent room correction. I don’t need XLR outs RCA is fine. Dont need any second zone stuff or multiple monitor outs. I do want Doly Vision support and HDR support. 

 

Any pointers on what to start hunting for would be much appreciated and any feedback on the two brands.

128x128chris_lansman

Showing 2 responses by sudnh

sudnh
67 posts
 

Hi Chris,

I have done the exact journey you are about to start and am now on the other side 😀.

My progression was Marantz to Arcam to Anthem and then back to Arcam.

What got me back to Arcam was its richer, more lush, and midrange denser sound. More bloom and presence for voice and instruments. More airy dense sound field when in surround.

The Anthem was also good in details and surround but I found it have a cooler and less rich sound. Not bad by any means and I don't mean this as a negative. If one prefers a clean impactful sound then this would be the preferred avr.

For my tastes the richer sound field of the Arcam won out.

sudnh
67 posts
 

btw... the "review" you added (link) is useless.

The dude is using a used unit and never listened to it. Maybe he had a defective unit or had a faulty connection for his measurements, dunno.

Dude didn’t read correctly what Athem literature says and then gripes about it at the end of his measurements post (there is no review 🤨).

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