2. amps-preamps
  3. 1001543466

Need opinions: Proceed AVP vs. Anthem AVM20

I am trying to decide on a "long term" home theater preamp, using 5.1 at first, but possibly 7.1 later. The Proceed AVP brings great quality and sound, but the guts are getting old, and it's a little pricey. The only available next upgrade for the AVP to support the newer surround modes will be a $1500-2000 hardware/software mod, on top of around $3000 to buy an AVP used. Anthem is releasing the upgrade to their AVM2, the AVM20, in another week. I only learned about Anthem through a dealer's recommendation when I was inquiring about the Proceed. Anthem's website lists all the latest toys inside this thing, basically all the stuff everybody complains is missing in the other brands. This preamp doesn't seem to lack. Most notably, it has an ultra-wide video bandwidth, which will easily support hdtv up to 1080p, not to mention line doublers and quads.

The question: Does anyone have any experience with the Anthem AVM2 which might indicate the quality/value/sound of the new AVM20? And is the AVM20 going to be an AVP-killer at list price $3200? If Anthem makes a good and reliable product, then this thing should be a hot seller, and should at least stoke the competition a bit.

Thanks in advance for any feedback you can provide.

http://www.sonicfrontiers.com/pages/avm20.html
arealavfan

Showing 1 response by audioron

audioron
5 posts
 
I own an AVP unit and while I do not have any experience with the Anthem unit, I can share my thoughts about my AVP. A very important aspect for me is how the unit works on music. This is where the AVP is simply superb. In 2 channel mode, working as a pass-through analog preamp, or as a DAC and preamp receiving the digital output from my DVD player this unit sounds fantastic. It is truly a high-end DAC and analog preamp. In addition it is also a very good video switcher and surround decoder. I am sure that I will go and have my unit upgraded in the near future, but it is quite excellent as it is. You will be surprised how quickly you grow tiered of bells and whistles. The only thing that matters to me is how the unit sounds, and the AVP is excellent. You can hear the Mark Levenson trade mark sound in this unit for sure. In addition it has one of the best music surround modes that I have ever heard. While I mostly listen to music in 2 channel stereo, this unit does offer a satisfying alternative in surround mode.
I hope this feedback helps some.
Best of luck with your choice.
Ron
More to discover