Introduction Following
in the footsteps of the Anthem D1 Preamplifier Processor Tuner that I
recently reviewed, Anthem also augmented the Statement line of
electronic components with two series of amplifiers, the lower-powered
A2 and A5, and the top-of-the-line P2 and P5. Once again, the design
goal for each of these units is to offer the ultimate in performance,
with Anthem inviting comparisons to any and all comers, regardless of
price. This past summer, I received a huge carton on my doorstep
containing the five-channel Anthem Statement P5 multi-channel power
amplifier ($4,999), which I immediately inserted into my reference home
theater system.
Description Physically, the Anthem P5
is a behemoth, weighing 130 pounds and measuring nine-and-three-eighths
inches high by 19.25 inches wide by 22.5 inches deep. The overall
appearance is less imposing than one might expect because of the
elegant black fine-grain aluminum cover, gentle curves on the front
panel, and extruded aluminum side handles. There are no fuses in the
amplifier, with protection provided by line breakers which can be reset
via push buttons located on the top panel in front of the ample
ventilation slots. The rear panel accepts XLR balanced inputs, as well
as unbalanced RCA plugs. Each channel has an independent input type
selector switch, which I left in the unbalanced position throughout the
review. The custom-designed, oversize gold-plated output binding posts
were beefy and versatile, as I would expect on an amplifier of this
quality. With a power consumption rating of 3600 watts (340 watts
idle), the P5 necessitates dual IEC power cord sockets located on the
right side of the rear panel to achieve full power output. To avoid
overloading your home’s AC power, Anthem directs the user to connect
each power cord to a different branch circuit. Fortunately, this was
not a problem for me, since there are two separate circuits available
on opposing walls of the reference home theater room. Unfortunately,
this may not be the case in many rooms, as there are seldom two
independent circuits readily available.
The P5 (as well
as the P2) is a modular design, each channel a replaceable, powerful,
independent monoblock amplifier rated at 325 watts into an eight ohm
load, with intra-channel frequency response matching. Technically,
Anthem purposely over-designed the P5, making it an extremely robust
amplifier with a number of innovative proprietary features. Each
channel has two separate power supplies, fed from separate transformer
windings, and 14 bipolar output transistors to minimize the power
dissipation on each device. Large, computer-optimized heat sinks on
each amplifier channel eliminate the need for cooling fans. This may
not seem important at first glance, but it allows the P5 to operate
noise-free, not adversely contributing to ambient noise at your
listening seat regardless of its location. Set-up Once
I unboxed the Anthem P5 onto the carpeted floor of my listening room, I
was unable to move it around myself until I walked it onto a wood base,
which I was then able to slide into position without inducing a hernia.
Needless to say, when trying various loudspeakers with the P5, I
brought them to the listening room containing the amplifier, and not
vice versa. For the majority of the review, the P5 drove the front
three channels and the surrounds, although for a time I bi-amped the
main left and right loudspeakers, leaving the fifth amplifier section
to power the center channel. Bi-amping produced spectacular results,
but this would rarely be necessary or even sonically noticeable with
most of the loudspeakers I am familiar with, given the Anthem’s huge
power reserves.
Following
in the footsteps of the Anthem D1 Preamplifier Processor Tuner that I
recently reviewed, Anthem also augmented the Statement line of
electronic components with two series of amplifiers, the lower-powered
A2 and A5, and the top-of-the-line P2 and P5. Once again, the design
goal for each of these units is to offer the ultimate in performance,
with Anthem inviting comparisons to any and all comers, regardless of
price. This past summer, I received a huge carton on my doorstep
containing the five-channel Anthem Statement P5 multi-channel power
amplifier ($4,999), which I immediately inserted into my reference home
theater system.
