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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.

128x128labguy
gkelly's avatar
gkelly
101 posts
 

Just placed an order for an STR combo. I too live in a stereo desert. As I have built my system through the years(around five or six) I would have tremendous anxiety over whether the new piece that I had purchased would be worth it. After going through this, several times, I realized that it was a worthless endeavor to worry whether it was gonna work or not . At this level pretty much anything you throw at the fire is going to make it go poof. at this point I have no doubt that the STR is going to be 1/4 of July fireworks display for me. I know this is an old thread just came across it as I am trying to read everything I can about the STR online. So I guess the question bags did you get the anthem and if you did, was it as thrilling of a ride as one could expect? Hey have fun enjoy listening

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,855 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
240 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.

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