Anthem MRX 500

[PENG]

I picked up my 300 for 900.00 cdn...it was a welcome change from the usual contenders like...Yamaha and Denon units...I had in the past. Amp section IMHO is pretty stout regardless of the specs.

I absolutely believe that as we can't really tell much difference between a 80W or 120W amp anyway because the difference is only 1.76 dB, that is mostly academic, just to put things in perspective. We are conditioned to believe Anthem has got to be good because they make high end amps. You know how much I believe in Placebo right.. Anyway I can't wait to get one and have fun with the ARC, even though I am sure I won't use it for any serious music listening. So $900 for a brand new one with full warranty? I have started to gather up justifications, may have to wait till Christmas, but it will come, and when the time comes I will try to beat your price.

 

[billy p]

That's a good a time as any....

This hobby is crazy even though my 100% happy with it...I'm still dream about a 3x200 watt amp....just in case I'm missing something...you know you can never have enough power on hand...

 

[Cos]

"OMG, that wouldn't even cross my mind, of course not, it is not even logical thinking. I only mentioned the founder "also".........with a PhD, simply to mean: like others, e.g. Dr. Rich, author of the article you linked... so please don't get so super sensitive as though you need to defend your beloved ARC, as it is not under attacked at all. Having said that, I would take the 80.3 or AV7005 any day over any MRX AVR because of everything else, ARC/Audyssey is just one small factor for me as I use REQ for bass management only."

Don't know how to quote individual parts in this forum, but did want to respond and apologize if you thought I was coming across super sensitive, when in fact that was not my intent. I think you overestimate my "Presious" ARC, when in fact its just room correction and I have no emotional attachment That's the problem with text in that emotional content is hard to determine. I have had a lot of playtime with my AVM 30(no ARC) and AVM 50 with ARC. I was just giving my feedback based on experience working with both Anthem and my Integra. We are in agreement that I would take the Marantz or Integra 80.3, but they are both a little bit more of a financial investment. My whole point was that it was a nice feature on an entry level Anthem AVR.

Again, apologize for the misunderstanding.

 

[PENG]

"OMG, that wouldn't even cross my mind, of course not, it is not even logical thinking. I only mentioned the founder "also".........with a PhD, simply to mean: like others, e.g. Dr. Rich, author of the article you linked... so please don't get so super sensitive as though you need to defend your beloved ARC, as it is not under attacked at all. Having said that, I would take the 80.3 or AV7005 any day over any MRX AVR because of everything else, ARC/Audyssey is just one small factor for me as I use REQ for bass management only."

Don't know how to quote individual parts in this forum, but did want to respond and apologize if you thought I was coming across super sensitive, when in fact that was not my intent. I think you overestimate my "Presious" ARC, when in fact its just room correction and I have no emotional attachment That's the problem with text in that emotional content is hard to determine. I have had a lot of playtime with my AVM 30(no ARC) and AVM 50 with ARC. I was just giving my feedback based on experience working with both Anthem and my Integra. We are in agreement that I would take the Marantz or Integra 80.3, but they are both a little bit more of a financial investment. My whole discussion was that it was a nice feature on an entry level product.

Again, apologize for the misunderstanding.

Hey Cos just so you know now you are making me feel guilty...but no need to apologize though as I know it is not intended. Let's all realize we are audioholics, so sometimes some of us, me for sure, get too crazy about things, anything..including things that don't matter much to non audiohoics. When I get that little 300 you and billy will be first to know, but again it will likely have to wait a minimum of 6 month cooling period after the AV-8801 and only if the economy cooperates.

 

[Cos]

LOL,

I really was debating between the Integra and the 8801 when I was upgrading. I don't like the fact that my 80.3 does not pass 4k Signals (upscale only)...not as if I am getting a 4K TV anytime soon. If I wasn't scared off a bit from my AV-7005 experience (which I later determined to be an amp issue) , I probably would have selected that unit as well.

In the same vein, I probably would have opted for the Oppo blu ray player instead of my Marantz UD7007 had I been on these boards earlier.

 

[RichB]

Well, my Salon2 were made in Mexico; it would not surprise me at all if Revel make them in China soon.

When my Voice Midrange went out (pretty much all of them will fail), it took over 6 months for the replacement driver to be made because production had moved to China.

- Rich

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

When my Voice Midrange went out (pretty much all of them will fail), it took over 6 months for the replacement driver to be made because production had moved to China.

- Rich

Oh, crap. I was kidding, but it's actually true?

 

[PENG]

When my Voice Midrange went out (pretty much all of them will fail), it took over 6 months for the replacement driver to be made because production had moved to China.

- Rich

Are you talking about the Salon 2? I hope not, if true I have to reload my dream for a used pair instead of new, please reconfirm.

 

[PENG]

Oh, crap. I was kidding, but it's actually true?

I hope he meant the lower model, but it sounds like he meant the Salon 2 because that's what he has, I think.. You probably should stock up on the old stock if you can find a pair or just swap out the ATI with another 3312 of yours so it will never be over powered and you won't clip your amps nor can you hear the difference anyway.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I hope he meant the lower model, but it sounds like he meant the Salon 2 because that's what he has, I think.. You probably should stock up on the old stock if you can find a pair or just swap out the ATI with another 3312 of yours so it will never be over powered and you won't clip your amps nor can you hear the difference anyway.

Rich has the Salon1 (Ultima1) series, but for replacement drivers, I think it would be the Ultima2 drivers.

Just like if we were to replace a 802D1 driver, we would have to order a 802D2 driver.

So Ultima2 drivers are now made in China, wow! I'm afraid to even call Revel to confirm!

ATI actually has superb speaker protection circuits. Just one example is the overkill-delay start up time for their AT2000 & AT3000 amps. It takes the ATI amp about 30 seconds to start up!

Another example is their fuse-less speaker protection circuit. Well, you can understand more than I since you are EE. You can tell me about it. It's kind of over my head.

 

[cpp]

Rich has the Salon1 (Ultima1) series, but for replacement drivers, I think it would be the Ultima2 drivers.

Just like if we were to replace a 802D1 driver, we would have to order a 802D2 driver.

So Ultima2 drivers are now made in China, wow! I'm afraid to even call Revel to confirm!

ATI actually has superb speaker protection circuits. Just one example is the overkill-delay start up time for their AT2000 & AT3000 amps. It takes the ATI amp about 30 seconds to start up!

Another example is their fuse-less speaker protection circuit. Well, you can understand more than I since you are EE. You can tell me about it. It's kind of over my head.

Just because something said made in the US, it's not saying every part including those little parts of the product is made in the US... You would be hard pressed to find anything we own that doesn't have parts manufactured in it from other countries besides US of A. Just like those Mexican Revels you have, just think of where all the parts and pieces came from...

Enjoy the sound, not where it's made.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just like those Mexican Revels you have.

How dare you sir!

Just because they were born in Mexico does NOT make them Mexican!

 

[fmw]

I've been wanting a new avr but wanted to stray from the list of mass market recommended amps because I'm special. Yeah, like short bus special.

So, I've decided on a north American built Anthem MRX 500;

MRX 500 - Welcome to the New Official Anthem® Audio Video Website.

Other considerations were, Marantz 6007, Denon 3321ci, and NAD T748. The Anthem seemed the best fit for me.

Anyone have any thoughts?

I'm sure they are all competent products. I have two comments. In the first place, I think you should buy what you like as long as it fits within your budget. You're the one that has to be happy with it, not us. I would say this regardless of which one you like. The second comment relates to economies of scale. Companies with large production tend to price things based on the cost of manufacture and competition. Small companies tend to price things based on revenue minus company overhead and profit divided by the number of units. In other words the cost of manufacture, while significantly higher than that of larger companies still isn't even a major issue in the decision. Larger manufacturers will provide more VALUE every time. Maybe not better satisfaction but certainly more bang for the buck. If I were going to choose one from your list I would choose Denon because it is large company in the industry. You will get more bang for the buck. But don't forget about what I said in my first comment. Good luck.

 

[PENG]

I'm sure they are all competent products. I have two comments. In the first place, I think you should buy what you like as long as it fits within your budget. You're the one that has to be happy with it, not us. I would say this regardless of which one you like. The second comment relates to economies of scale. Companies with large production tend to price things based on the cost of manufacture and competition. Small companies tend to price things based on revenue minus company overhead and profit divided by the number of units. In other words the cost of manufacture, while significantly higher than that of larger companies still isn't even a major issue in the decision. Larger manufacturers will provide more VALUE every time. Maybe not better satisfaction but certainly more bang for the buck. If I were going to choose one from your list I would choose Denon because it is large company in the industry. You will get more bang for the buck. But don't forget about what I said in my first comment. Good luck.

That was the main point I tried to make in my first post but you worded it in a far more politically correct way than I was able to do. As I said I plan on getting one from this "smaller" company but for totally different reason, and am fully aware of the potential of not getting the best bang for the $900. Actually for those who really believe in their ARC, it would seem like excellent bang because you can't get it from any other brands; and it comes as a full package, unlike the crippled non pro version of Audyssey.

 

[cpp]

How dare you sir!

Just because they were born in Mexico does NOT make them Mexican!

Just wondering, do you seem to have a hankering for guacamole when you listen to music through those speakers, just saying

 

[slipperybidness]

Just wondering, do you seem to have a hankering for guacamole when you listen to music through those speakers, just saying

They seem to play "La Cucaracha" better than any speakers on the market

 

[fmw]

That was the main point I tried to make in my first post but you worded it in a far more politically correct way than I was able to do. As I said I plan on getting one from this "smaller" company but for totally different reason, and am fully aware of the potential of not getting the best bang for the $900. Actually for those who really believe in their ARC, it would seem like excellent bang because you can't get it from any other brands; and it comes as a full package, unlike the crippled non pro version of Audyssey.

I'm not criticizing the product in any way. If it has a feature you want that isn't available elsewhere, then that is a logical reason to choose it. I was trying to provide some things to think about. I'm not trying to sell Denon or criticize the other products.

 

[fmw]

How dare you sir!

Just because they were born in Mexico does NOT make them Mexican!

That's true. The congress is working on giving them citizenship at this very moment.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just wondering, do you seem to have a hankering for guacamole when you listen to music through those speakers, just saying

What?

How dare you!

Why that's just plain discrimination!

And yes, I love eating guacamole and chips while listening to my Magic Mexican Salon2. But that's just Pure Direct Coincidence !

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

They seem to play "La Cucaracha" better than any speakers on the market

I can confirm this as well.