Sailfisben - Yes it is. The changer guts are Sony internal stack type. It's slow and clunky sounding when changing discs as archived reviews describe. I don't really use it as a changer much. Pull the top off and there is a big Sonic Frontiers board in there with DAC and output stages. Lots of MIT caps etc.. and beafy power supply. I bought it here on Audiogon. It has an upgraded tube. I can't recall what type now. They pop up in the $600-650 range. I sold Sonic Frontiers in the 90's. We never carried the Anthem gear though. Down the road I would consider SFCD player or SFD2 DAC which I know is very good.
FWIW... Yamaha RX-v2700 / Anthem Pre1 Combination
This post may come as no suprise to many of you, so your indulgence is appreciated. But for those who may not know about Phono PreAmps I post...
I recently put in a Yamaha RX-v2700 into my system to use as a pre-amp/prosessor and to run my surround speakers. The front three are handled by outboard amps.
In the system is a Scout turntable with a dynavector 20x High Output cartridge and an Anthem Pre1P phono pre-amplifier. I've use that for a couple years and really know no other set-up, it being my first journey into analog of this nature.
Upon installing the Yammie, I decided to by-pass the Anthem and go direct to the 2700's inboard phono stage thinking I'd not hear much of a difference and could simplify my system.
Big mistake, not even close. The sound stage became one dimensional and sounded compressed and flat to me. Favorites lost all their magic. The little things were missing totally and the sound was okay but certainly ordinary.
I hooked up the Anthem and everything returned. Wide soundstage, intimate details of the recording and all the little things that keep you involved in the music. Even the volume itself was almost 30-40% higher. I did use an SPL meter as I knew the volume would be different and know that generally louder sounds better anyway.
I don't believe this to be a sign of the Yammies unability to produce good sound. It sounded okay but just that, ok. The rest of this processor sounds marvelous and does H/T just fine. It replaced an older Anthem unit and sound wise is just terrific. Not having a dynamic phono stage in a receiver of this nature isn't suprising.
I post this more to let anyone know that is contemplating a purchase of a stand alone phono preamp it will make all the difference in the world over a built-in one in a similar type receiver.
This also confirms, to me at least, that this Anthem Pre1P is one terrific phono stage - totally transformed the sound. They are very resonably priced if you can find one and have a tube stage as well.
I recently put in a Yamaha RX-v2700 into my system to use as a pre-amp/prosessor and to run my surround speakers. The front three are handled by outboard amps.
In the system is a Scout turntable with a dynavector 20x High Output cartridge and an Anthem Pre1P phono pre-amplifier. I've use that for a couple years and really know no other set-up, it being my first journey into analog of this nature.
Upon installing the Yammie, I decided to by-pass the Anthem and go direct to the 2700's inboard phono stage thinking I'd not hear much of a difference and could simplify my system.
Big mistake, not even close. The sound stage became one dimensional and sounded compressed and flat to me. Favorites lost all their magic. The little things were missing totally and the sound was okay but certainly ordinary.
I hooked up the Anthem and everything returned. Wide soundstage, intimate details of the recording and all the little things that keep you involved in the music. Even the volume itself was almost 30-40% higher. I did use an SPL meter as I knew the volume would be different and know that generally louder sounds better anyway.
I don't believe this to be a sign of the Yammies unability to produce good sound. It sounded okay but just that, ok. The rest of this processor sounds marvelous and does H/T just fine. It replaced an older Anthem unit and sound wise is just terrific. Not having a dynamic phono stage in a receiver of this nature isn't suprising.
I post this more to let anyone know that is contemplating a purchase of a stand alone phono preamp it will make all the difference in the world over a built-in one in a similar type receiver.
This also confirms, to me at least, that this Anthem Pre1P is one terrific phono stage - totally transformed the sound. They are very resonably priced if you can find one and have a tube stage as well.
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