2. amps-preamps
  3. 184464-9370

What tier do you consider Anthem integrated?

Anthem has an STR integrated amp with the ARC room correction. The integrated teams loaded with a lot of features such as built in room correction, stable into low ohms, big toroidal transformer, etc. Would a 15 year old Pass labs amp walk all over a 3 year old anthem? The Anthem is newer and has more features, Anthem is rated class A by Stereophile review, but Stereophile seems to only give amps with phono stages class A ratings, and the Pass labs doesn't have that. So what would you grab? An older Pass labs that may have age issues, or a newer amp with good reviews and room correction? Looking for best sound, not to impress people with brand names. Thanks.

labguy
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,899 posts
 

Pass amps are not immune to room acoustics.

I’ve heard the Anthem and it sounded very good. Room correction is invaluable in most any room that is not specifically designed for good sound.

I’d go with the Anthem for good sound, no doubt.

 

 

joekapahulu
265 posts
 

Fell over this thread because I had just read about Anthem in the Stereophile Year End Recommended Components list and remembered I heard one years ago and liked it along with an Ayre EX5 or something like that. The OP's situation sounds so much like my own. I had to laugh at a "stereo desert" except my desert is in the middle of the ocean. I am in a similar place because I feel like I am close to making a big incremental step in sound quality. The whole ARC thing is really intriguing.

bambooken's avatar
bambooken
5 posts
 

Jumping into this over two year old discussion, in case it’s as helpful for someone as it was about six months ago for me.
I purchased a demo STR for my ”eclectic” system 6 months ago and I’m just as, if not more happy with my purchase than ever. This integrated amp simply never ceases to confirm my decision. My dedicated media room includes a pair of Opera Callas Diva loudspeakers (floor standing) and straight out of the box, the Anthem has finally allow me to hear what these speakers are capable of. Things became even better after deploying the ARC room correction. My somewhat “treated” room sounds pretty good on it’s own but the ARC clearly fine tuned my system to a point where I continue to revisit music I haven listen to in a long while, just to “hear what it sounds like.” The versatility of the Anthem is another huge plus for me. Example: The variety of inputs have allowed me to hook up my Oppo special edition Blu-ray in a few different configurations which allowed me to A/B determine which is best for the particular media I’m listening to (CD, SACD, DVD, etc..). 

I’d imagine as of June, 2025 some might say the Anthem STR integrated is getting a bit long in the tooth… but, I’m considering this to be a keeper for a long while. My system finally hit the synergy I’ve been seeking. it’s no wonder these are still being manufactured and sold new and few pop up in the used market. 

More to discover