what to buy to replace my Anthem P5 ?

[shug23]

So my P5 has started buzzing again after working great for the last couple months....so I am going to look to replace it and have absolutely no idea what to buy. It's probably been at least ten years since I bought this 'beast".....Can someone throw out few options ?

 

[lovinthehd]

You want 5 ch 325 wpc 8 ohm spec? Or? Price range? Giving up on Anthem's ability to keep it running properly?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Giving up on Anthem's ability to keep it running properly?

That’s a good question.

How many years do we expect from these amps?

20 years?

It depends on the price?

If it’s Bryston-price, then we expect 20 YR?

If it’s half-Bryston-price, then we expect 10 YR?

I would say ATI (7YR warranty) and Bryston (20YR warranty) might arguably be the 2 most reliable.

 

[lovinthehd]

That’s a good question.

How many years do we expect from these amps?

20 years?

It depends on the price?

If it’s Bryston-price, then we expect 20 YR?

If it’s half-Bryston-price, then we expect 10 YR?

I would say ATI (7YR warranty) and Bryston (20YR warranty) might arguably be the 2 most reliable.

Got over 30 from each of my Carvers. Seems the P5 is only 10 or so years old so made me question that. Not that I'm particularly impressed with Anthem in general but for $5k I'd expect more.

 

[Verdinut]

The ATI AT1800 Series 5 channel amplifier would definitely be a product to consider.
It is slightly less powerful than the P5: 200w/ch as opposed to 325w for an 8 ohm load, but as a matter of fact only 2dB and a tiny fraction less powerful. It would most likely be powerful enough for your needs, it all depends on the sensitivity of your speakers, the type of source material you listen to (pop, rock, classical, action movies),the maximum SPL (Sound Pressure Level) you would listen to and your listening distance from the speakers.

The Bryston amps carry an extensive warranty but you pay for it. In my opinion, they're overpriced. The ATI product is a better value and it should be as acoustically transparent as your Anthem.

A good guide to verify how much power you would need is the following:

http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

 

[shug23]

thanks...I will look into AT1800 series. I am currently running a 7.2 system with Paradigm speakers (along with a giant Fathom woofer tossed in)….(using Anthem D2 and P5 and P2)….I doubt I really need all that much power as mostly just listening to music and watching movies in my living room.

I have been happy with my P5 until last year when it started buzzing on one channel. If I unplug one of the two P5 plugs, all is fine with the two front speakers... ..I brought it in last year to the technical guy. He took it apart and put it back together and couldn't see anything wrong and it worked fine.(maybe something got reset). I brought it back home, it worked for a month, went to Florida for the winter, came back to Michigan and P5 was working fine for last 4 weeks and then just a couple days ago started buzzing again. It is a loud electronic buzz that comes directly from the unit, not through the speakers...

 

[shug23]

How much does an 1805 and/or 1807 cost? anyone have any idea ? then apparently there is a 2000 series....worth considering ?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Got over 30 from each of my Carvers. Seems the P5 is only 10 or so years old so made me question that. Not that I'm particularly impressed with Anthem in general but for $5k I'd expect more.

30YR is awesome, probably gold standard.

They still make Carver amps?

https://www.audioholics.com/trade-shows/2005-consumer-electronics-show-ces/carver-digital-hta-5-1-amplifier

https://www.amazon.com/Carver-Channel-Amplifier-Product-HTA5A/dp/B01N12UDAL/ref=sr_1_5?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI66aNtMCJ4wIVQlcNCh2HiwvWEAMYASAAEgIkQvD_BwE&hvadid=177148887824&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9026243&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1o1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10380273712693791147&hvtargid=kwd-10774212&hydadcr=20135_9665338&keywords=carver+amplifier&qid=1561633064&s=gateway&sr=8-5

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Other amps to consider would also be Adcom 200x5, Outlaw 200w and 300W, and Monoprice 200x5 or 200x7 since these are either made by ATI or associated with ATI.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

How much does an 1805 and/or 1807 cost? anyone have any idea ? then apparently there is a 2000 series....worth considering ?

I recently sold my ATI AT3005 on Craigslist. My AT2005 is now listed on Craigslist. Send me a PM if you are interested in prices.

 

[PENG]

thanks...I will look into AT1800 series. I am currently running a 7.2 system with Paradigm speakers (along with a giant Fathom woofer tossed in)….(using Anthem D2 and P5 and P2)….I doubt I really need all that much power as mostly just listening to music and watching movies in my living room.

I have been happy with my P5 until last year when it started buzzing on one channel. If I unplug one of the two P5 plugs, all is fine with the two front speakers... ..I brought it in last year to the technical guy. He took it apart and put it back together and couldn't see anything wrong and it worked fine.(maybe something got reset). I brought it back home, it worked for a month, went to Florida for the winter, came back to Michigan and P5 was working fine for last 4 weeks and then just a couple days ago started buzzing again. It is a loud electronic buzz that comes directly from the unit, not through the speakers...

I have quite a few amps over the years and still own most of them (finally sold my Bryston though, and it was a sad day..), but if I were to do it over again I would settle for a good AVR + 3 Outlaw monoblock, or a decent 2 channel amp light weight amps such as one made by Adcom, Anthem MCA, ATI522NC, NAD M22 plus one Outlaw monoblock, or an AT523NC to cover the LCR. A good top or near top AVR will have no trouble powering the remaining 4 speakers in your living room unless it is a huge living room. TLS will of course disagree and I would always agree to disagree with him on such things.

Regardless of what people read/heard from the internet, dealers etc., any of those amps listed above will sound the same to probably >99% of certified audioholics as long as you blindfold them. So there is no need to spend more, unless the goal is good look, ownership pride, heavy weight etc. IMO the non class D ATI, Outlaw and Anthem P series class AB amps are made much heavier than necessary just to impress the not overly informed. So what amps to replace your heavy weight class AB amps would depend on whether you have enough fun chasing audiophile class amps yet. I have, and I bet @AcuDefTechGuy has too, though he's still promoting ATI amps, but at least he wouldn't push the likes of Krell, Mc, and Passlabs, except may be Bryston's just for those who value extra long warranty and are willing to pay premium for it.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

what amps to replace your heavy weight class AB amps would depend on whether you have enough fun chasing audiophile class amps yet. I have, and I bet @AcuDefTechGuy has too, though he's still promoting ATI amps, but at least he wouldn't push the likes of Krell, Mc, and Passlabs, except may be Bryston's just for those who value extra long warranty and are willing to pay premium for it.

I prefer big BRANDS and I'm not gonna lie. LOL. As long as I don't have to PAY TOO MUCH for them!

If I were a billionaire, you would see me own something like a $200K amp.

A huge factor in this hobby is "pride of ownership" or how it makes you feel.

To me it doesn't matter how much money I save if it doesn't give me that personal pride of ownership, which is 100% different for everyone.

To many Emotiva fans, owning Emotiva gives them plenty of pride of ownership. To me, I would not own an Emotiva amp. Everyone is different.

Same way with Monoprice or Outlaw, although some of their amps are made by ATI, which gives them a lot of brand power. But some people still see the "Monoprice" and "Outlaw" brand and it might not give them enough personal "pride".

Krell, Mark Levinson, Theta Digital (own by ATI),McIntosh, Bryston, Pass, Classe, etc., would give me huge pride of ownership, but they fall in the "PAY TOO MUCH" category.

ATI, Adcom, Rotel, Anthem, Parasound, Yamaha MX-A amps (not pro amps),Marantz would give me pride of ownership and fall in "affordable" category.

So pride of ownership might or might NOT be a significant factor for the OP.

 

[Cos]

As a parasound owner, I applaud their customer support, in my opinion one of the best in the industry. I had a small problem with the A52 I owned, and they fixed it followed up and were quick about it. It was under warranty.

I was looking at the ATI 6000 and 4000 series a while back, but stayed with what I have.

 

[PENG]

As a parasound owner, I applaud their customer support, in my opinion one of the best in the industry. I had a small problem with the A52 I owned, and they fixed it followed up and were quick about it. It was under warranty.

I was looking at the ATI 6000 and 4000 series a while back, but stayed with what I have.

Of course, the A52 imo is as good as any ATI amps. That's actually one that I forgot to include, for it is reasonably priced like the Anthem MCA and Adcom's, The only negative about those Halo amps imo is their weight, unnecessarily heavy. I never believe in audible benefits of the "fully balanced" feature being considered as a necessity, though if done right it is good to have regardless. At that price point/range, I would actually feel better if they were not fully balanced, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is, that's just me...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

As a parasound owner, I applaud their customer support, in my opinion one of the best in the industry. I had a small problem with the A52 I owned, and they fixed it followed up and were quick about it. It was under warranty.

What was the problem with your $3,000 180W x 5Ch Parasound A52 amp?

How old was it when it developed the problem? 1, 2, 3, 4 YR?

Does anyone know how their customer support is AFTER the 5YR warranty?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Of course, the A52 imo is as good as any ATI amps.

After hearing about ematthews' Parasound P5 problems and now the A52 with a problem under warranty, I'm not too sure about the reliability of Parasound vs ATI (or ATI-associated amps like Outlaw, Monoprice, and Adcom).

 

[PENG]

After hearing about ematthews' Parasound P5 problems and now the A52 with a problem under warranty, I'm not too sure about the reliability of Parasound vs ATI (or ATI-associated amps like Outlaw, Monoprice, and Adcom).

Good point, but it may still be isolated cases, my A21 is almost 6 years old, 0 problem so far. I think RichB has a few and have had no issues as far as I know. The ATI amps are probably better built, but I like Halo's class A/AB approach. I can't hear the effects of lower crossover distortion, but like you said it's "pride".

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think RichB has a few and have had no issues as far as I know. The ATI amps are probably better built, but I like Halo's class A/AB approach. I can't hear the effects of lower crossover distortion, but like you said it's "pride".

I'm just guessing here, but the fact that RichB bought 2 ATI amps, instead of more Parasound amps might say a little bit.

It could be "pride of ownership". I suppose there could be other reasons why he didn't buy more Parasound amps, instead of buying 2 ATI amps.

Just guessing here. I mean if he owned ATI amps before and then now buys 2 Parasound amps, I would be curious too.

 

[shug23]

Thanks everyone...this whole thread is helpful...so I went over to my P5 and turned it on with the thought of switching plugs or outlets, but right away it works again...I'm guessing it will buzz again at some point.and I am on limited time with it.

 

[lovinthehd]

30YR is awesome, probably gold standard.

They still make Carver amps?

https://www.audioholics.com/trade-shows/2005-consumer-electronics-show-ces/carver-digital-hta-5-1-amplifier

https://www.amazon.com/Carver-Channel-Amplifier-Product-HTA5A/dp/B01N12UDAL/ref=sr_1_5?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI66aNtMCJ4wIVQlcNCh2HiwvWEAMYASAAEgIkQvD_BwE&hvadid=177148887824&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9026243&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1o1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10380273712693791147&hvtargid=kwd-10774212&hydadcr=20135_9665338&keywords=carver+amplifier&qid=1561633064&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Doubt Bob Carver had anything to do with them by that point of the AH article altho still using his designs, let alone that second one depicted (which IIRC is available in several different brandings).