Anthem STR Stereo Integrated Amplifier Preview

[gene]

Anthem is strengthening its presence in the two-channel audio space with the introduction of the STR Integrated Amplifier which they unveiled at the CEDIA 2016 Expo show. Built with high end components, a MC and MM phono preamp and high resolution 32-bit/384 kHz DAC, the STR is ready to meet your audiophile needs. Able to pump 600 watts into 2 ohm loads, it can also easily power the most demanding loudspeakers as well.

Looking to get your two-channel fix? Try Anthem!

Read: Anthem STR Stereo Integrated Amplifier Preview

 

[shadyJ]

A integrated amp with bass management?! Hell hath frozen over! Nice beefy amp too, and 2 ohm stable, very nice. I get this is for two channel music, but one nice inclusion at this price point would be HDMI connectivity, for those of us who use our PCs as music servers, or who use their blu-ray players to listen to music. Or maybe those who also just want to watch some TV on their two channel system.

 

[Alexandre]

A integrated amp with bass management?! Hell hath frozen over! Nice beefy amp too, and 2 ohm stable, very nice. I get this is for two channel music, but one nice inclusion at this price point would be HDMI connectivity, for those of us who use our PCs as music servers, or who use their blu-ray players to listen to music. Or maybe those who also just want to watch some TV on their two channel system.

I wholeheartedly agree, a nice 2.1 or 2.2 with HDMI inputs would be great!

 

[j_garcia]

Room correction and management for TWO subs in mono OR stereo? Nice.

Then sees price tag and understands

 

[PENG]

Looking at the size of the power supply, I would be very skeptical of the 550 WPC 2 ohm rating, without knowing their definition of "continuous" that they put in () in small fonts. My MCA power amp has similar specs, I know what it can do..

 

[Verdinut]

Looking at the size of the power supply, I would be very skeptical of the 550 WPC 2 ohm rating, without knowing their definition of "continuous" that they put in () in small fonts. My MCA power amp has similar specs, I know what it can do..

Maybe they meant "Simultaneous" which is is not necessarily continuous!

 

[PENG]

Maybe they meant "Simultaneous" which is is not necessarily continuous!

They probably meant instantaneous peak, or dynamic output (for very short duration) like NAD's.

 

[highfigh]

I wholeheartedly agree, a nice 2.1 or 2.2 with HDMI inputs would be great!

What would HDMI contribute that optical/SPDIF wouldn't in a 2 channel system? I mean, other than problems.

 

[KEW]

What would HDMI contribute that optical/SPDIF wouldn't in a 2 channel system? I mean, other than problems.

OSD!

 

[PENG]

A integrated amp with bass management?! Hell hath frozen over! Nice beefy amp too, and 2 ohm stable, very nice. I get this is for two channel music, but one nice inclusion at this price point would be HDMI connectivity, for those of us who use our PCs as music servers, or who use their blu-ray players to listen to music. Or maybe those who also just want to watch some TV on their two channel system.

That would be like the new Denon AVC-X8500H (non NA model), except just 2 channels, Oh, only if it adds video to the HDMI too.

 

[PENG]

According the the data sheet info (copied/pasted below):

https://www.anthemav.com/downloads/str_integrated_amplifier_datasheet.pdf

Amplifier uses 8 bipolar output devices per channel, a toroidal transformer power supply, and Advanced Load Monitoring for 200W at 8 ohms, 400W at 4 ohms, 550W at 2 ohms, all continuous

Output (per channel, continuous, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, <1% THD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 W (8Ω), 400 W (4Ω), 550 W (2Ω)

Impressive, double down into 4 ohm and 2 ohm stable, and continuous?

Then look at the "Power Consumption" section:

Idle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 W
Typical Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 W
High Output . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 W

and the fact that:

1. The enclosure looks to be made of steel, definitely not plastic, may be some AL?
2. No fans at all.
3. Including the build in preamp and DAC, weight: 40 lbs soak and wet.
4. Class AB amp's efficiency typically<<100%

You can see why I have serious doubt about their power output into 2 ohms specs, I hope..

My estimate of the VA rating of the transformer is purely based on visual, it appears to be very similar in physical size to that of the Halo A23 that has an exceptionally large transformer for a 125 WPC. That amp is fitted with a 850 VA transformer, website claimed 1kVA that was an error (I have confirmation). I have 3 power amps that have transformers rated 1,200 VA and much more storage capacitance than the STR; and none claimed 550 W into 2 ohms continuous, in dynamic rating yes, but not continuous.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=halo...AhUmwYMKHcRFB1AQ9QEIKTAA#imgrc=JQpYDc7Zf1rNhM:

To be fair, aside from the power output rating that I don't believe (unless it was for one channel driven), the STR does have very impressive THD, IMD, SNR, slew rate, and decent DF. Among integrated amps, I would think the STR would rank among the top in terms of specs that count, just wish it has a larger transformer and more capacitance, not necessarily for SQ as such, but for bragging right. I won't pay C$5,500 for it, but if I am in the market for an integrated amp, I wouldn't mind getting it for a deep discount.

 

[Johnny2Bad]

Anthem normally rates their power sections (including multichannel AV amps) using the FTC method (x watts per channel, all channels driven, from 20~20KHz, into x impedance, at x THD). Also manufacturers are prohibited from specifying power into an impedance that causes protection to engage or fuses to blow during UL/CSA compliance testing, so it must be able to drive a 2 ohm load.

However I do agree that we would need more information beyond a press release, so time will tell.

"Continuous Power" is equivalent to "RMS Power"; they mean the same thing.

 

[Andrein]

Wondering how much str is different from their MCA series.

Power Output
Continuous 20 Hz to 20 kHz, <1% THD (all models)
Power Requirement
THD at 100 W
at 1 kHz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.0010%
at 20 kHz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.015%
IMD at 100 W
ITU-R (19 kHz + 20 kHz). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.0005%
SMPTE (60 Hz + 7 kHz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.002%
SNR, IEC-A, ref. 225 W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120 dB
Frequency Response, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
open circuit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 0.1 dB
8 Ω. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 0.1 dB
4 Ω. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 0.1 dB
2 Ω. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 0.2 dB
Power Bandwidth, -3 dB at 200 W into 8 ohms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 kHz
Slew Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 V/μs
Damping Factor, 20 Hz to 1 kHz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300
Channel Separation, 100 Hz to 10 kHz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .>65 dB
Input Impedance
RCA / XLR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 kΩ / 15 kΩ
Input Sensitivity, 225 W into 8 Ω. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5 Vrms
Voltage Gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 dB
This product operates from a single phase AC power source that supplies
108V – 132V at a frequency of 60 Hz for the 120V version and 198V – 264V
at a frequency of 50/60 Hz for the 220V – 240V version.
Dimensions (all models)
Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5/8” (16.9 cm)
Rackmounted Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4U
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-1/4” (43.8 cm)
Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-1/8” (46 cm)
Weight (unpacked)
MCA 525 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 lb (27.5 kg)
MCA 325 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 lb (19.5 kg)
MCA 225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 lb (18 kg)

 

[Andrein]

load
8 ohms
4 ohms
2 ohms
watts
225 W
400 W
600 W

Wondering how much str is different from their MCA series.

Power Output
Continuous 20 Hz to 20 kHz, <1% THD (all models)
Power Requirement
THD at 100 W
at 1 kHz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.0010%
at 20 kHz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.015%
IMD at 100 W
ITU-R (19 kHz + 20 kHz). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.0005%
SMPTE (60 Hz + 7 kHz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.002%
SNR, IEC-A, ref. 225 W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120 dB
Frequency Response, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
open circuit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 0.1 dB
8 Ω. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 0.1 dB
4 Ω. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 0.1 dB
2 Ω. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .± 0.2 dB
Power Bandwidth, -3 dB at 200 W into 8 ohms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 kHz
Slew Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 V/μs
Damping Factor, 20 Hz to 1 kHz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300
Channel Separation, 100 Hz to 10 kHz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .>65 dB
Input Impedance
RCA / XLR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 kΩ / 15 kΩ
Input Sensitivity, 225 W into 8 Ω. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5 Vrms
Voltage Gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 dB
This product operates from a single phase AC power source that supplies
108V – 132V at a frequency of 60 Hz for the 120V version and 198V – 264V
at a frequency of 50/60 Hz for the 220V – 240V version.
Dimensions (all models)
Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5/8” (16.9 cm)
Rackmounted Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4U
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-1/4” (43.8 cm)
Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-1/8” (46 cm)
Weight (unpacked)
MCA 525 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 lb (27.5 kg)
MCA 325 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 lb (19.5 kg)
MCA 225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 lb (18 kg)

 

[Johnny2Bad]

61 pounds. Obviously that's not an audio performance spec, but that doesn't sound like a component with a weak power supply to me.

 

[PENG]

61 pounds. Obviously that's not an audio performance spec, but that doesn't sound like a component with a weak power supply to me.

That's for the mca525, a 5x225w power amp, not bad at all but the 600w into 2 ohm is likely a "dynamic" output rating.

 

[Andrein]

That's for the mca525, a 5x225w power amp, not bad at all but the 600w into 2 ohm is likely a "dynamic" output rating.

Looking at their spec. They say 600 is continuous, 20hz-20khz, thd < 1%, all models incl 225.

 

[PENG]

Looking at their spec. They say 600 is continuous, 20hz-20khz, thd < 1%, all models incl 225.

I know, that's why I called them out on this. Either they had a typo, or....well, really don't want to say, use your imagination..

Actually, if you read the data sheet it does not say how many channel, but under the tab "specs" (click on it), it does say:

POWER OUTPUT (PER CHANNEL)
(Continuous RMS, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, <1% THD)

So if they meant 600 W, one channel driven into 2 ohm, then it could be, still they should define "continuous", if they meant it literally, then it is still highly questionable. It is all academic though, most people plug their amp into a 15A or 20A circuit and don't push any more than a few watt average with much higher peaks depending on the music but still low enough for most mid range AVR, let alone a 225W Anthem amp.

 

[Andrein]

Was looking at their printed doc that comes with my amp. No one channel statement. Same in pdf you can download from thei site.

 

[Andrein]

Just trying to understand what really the diff between mca and str is. It looks they sacrificed something for the dac and increased the price by 50 per cent. Maybe something improved. Did not compare spec line by line. But i think if you have a dac already, mca 225 is a better choise.