Marantz vs Rotel vs Anthem

[strongmind]

thanks, it's useful for me!!!

[Loves2Watch]

Originally Posted by ChiefTK

I have read a few reviews on the Anthem Statement D2 and they are all fairly impressive, especially the video switching and ARC. Does anyone have any experience with this unit and, if so, what are your impressions regarding its audio performance. I am convinced the video performnce is splendid.

Thanks for any help.

The audio section is even more impressive!

[graniterocks]

Finally calibrated my Anthen D2V with the ARC. This is by far the best room correction soft ware that I have ever heard. Seemless transition from speakers to sub both in movies and in two channel it far surpassed my expectations. This is the first time I have heard a room correction good enough to leave on in two channel. (I have an awesome room, so most of the time room correction sounds worse) Audessy is pre-school level compared to the ARC software.

I have heard a ton of pre pros over the last 5 years (pretty much everything but the Theta gear) and the Anthem really lives up to its repuation. I haven't played around with the video much yet. Just using it as a pass through to my Runco RS-1100. I'm more of an audiophile than videophile anyway.

Also, just had an opportunity to play with the Arcam AVR600 for about 3 months. This peice is a real winner. Unbelieveable sonics. The room correction is on par or slightly better than Audessy, so if you have a really poor room Anthem may be a better choice. If your room is decent to begin with, then Arcam should be on your short list.

Their engineers added a separate audio clock to their HDMI circuitry. This gets the jitter rate down in the range of 12 pico secs. Running HDMI from a PS3, this was the first time that I really felt uncompressed blue ray was really worth it. It was like listening to a very high end cd player only better. The digital glare and harshness that I have exeperienced with all other processors was gone.

[geyoung]

Originally Posted by graniterocks

Finally calibrated my Anthen D2V with the ARC. This is by far the best room correction soft ware that I have ever heard. Seemless transition from speakers to sub both in movies and in two channel it far surpassed my expectations. This is the first time I have heard a room correction good enough to leave on in two channel. (I have an awesome room, so most of the time room correction sounds worse) Audessy is pre-school level compared to the ARC software.

I have heard a ton of pre pros over the last 5 years (pretty much everything but the Theta gear) and the Anthem really lives up to its repuation. I haven't played around with the video much yet. Just using it as a pass through to my Runco RS-1100. I'm more of an audiophile than videophile anyway.

I too run an Anthem D2 with a Runco RS-1100. The ARC software (which by the way only will work based on the serial number of the specific anthem D2 you have) really helps creates a more open soundfield. (Which I know is very subjective statement)

To get the latest Dolby True HD/Master Audio 7.1 decoding in the D2 however you will need a factory upgrade.
I have talked with the techs at Anthem. The new upgrade essentially replaces the unit as it involves an entirely new video processing section. Bottom line the upgrade (which still doesn't include HD radio) will cost $4500!

I was looking for just the ability for the D2 to handle the new audio codecs, as I am perfectly satisfied with the Gennum video processing in the unit. The Anthem techs told me to use LPCM over HDMI, and I would "get everything these lossless new formats offer, by using the power of the Anthem's processing". That of course is not an accurate statement!

I Know that I can use the D2's analog inputs, letting my blue ray do the processing (Oppo BDP83), which would work. In doing so I would no longer have the ARC improvements that made the room come alive...

It goes a little further. I used a Blue ray audio test disk that came with the player. When I go through any digital input (HDMI/SPDIF) the test disk shows that the R&L surrounds, and the R&L backs are linked together in a 5.1 surround system format, and I can not check their levels individually (I didn't intend to change them as the ARC is a much better way to set them, but just wanted t ocheck how they came through from a player).

Bottom line, it appears as though I have been listening to 5.1 surround in the 7.1 system the entire time I have owned the D2!

2 months ago when I last talked to them Anthem said they are working on the new production models, so I should "hold off sending your unit in for an upgrade at this time". I checked with my local dealer earlier in December who confirmed this.

So much for support on these newer codecs and even HD radio! (I purchased a separate receiver to handle HD)

At this point I am contemplating selling my D2, and either ordering a new D2v (as it won't cost me more figuring I can get a good price on the D2), or go with another manufacturer's unit, one that can more easily be updated. I hesitate doing the latter, as I am very happy with the D2's overall sound, but I don't feel comfortable with their support, as far as upgrades go. I expect a little more support for owners of a unit of this price...

Greg

[thresholdman]

Can you explain your statement " I was looking for just the ability for the D2 to handle the new audio codecs, as I am perfectly satisfied with the Gennum video processing in the unit. The Anthem techs told me to use LPCM over HDMI, and I would "get everything these lossless new formats offer, by using the power of the Anthem's processing". That of course is not an accurate statement!"

If the format is lossless it should not matter if the conversion is done in player or the proccessor. LPCM is LPCM. I don't understand why a limitation eixts? Please explain.

[rotelrock]

Originally Posted by audiofan

Thanks, John B for your comments, I very much appreciate them. If anyone has opinions they would like to share, I am all ears.

Well I gotta tell ya, I've be around for awhile and I've had many different audio systems over the years but if you want the best bang for your buck, ROTEL is the way to go. I have a RC1070 pre amp, RCD1072 cd player and a RB1070 amp ( 130 watts per channel ) all driving a set of klipschorn speakers. The system is about five years old now and I have never had a problem. As far as clarity quality and a full range of sound ( and I do mean FULL RANGE ), I'ts a MUST HEAR to believe system.
ROCK ON!!!!!!