Anthem MRX 500

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Here is a picture of the Revel Ultima factory labor force:

 

[PENG]

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.

I understood completely from the beginning and I meant to convey the same message in my own post. I thought mine did get misunderstood to certain extent. Your post is much clearer so I doubt it would be taken the wrong way. I learnt my lesson.

 

[PENG]

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...

it is absolutely crazy, and I am quite sure you will get your 200W amp sooner or later due to such craziness. It may be (just may be) sad but true that many of us would not realize if you are using only fractional watts now with peaks of <50W, more power won't improve sound quality dramatically (perhaps subtly/slightly), until we have owned one or two, and only after a long enough period of time, say a year.

I believe that's why most people who claim more power won't improve sq in fact are people who have already owned power amps for years. Surely there are enough of power amp owners who never bother finding out if they may be under the influence of Placebo effects. Some never worry about it as they just focus on enjoymnet, others wouldn't want to face reality so they subconsciously avoid any opportunities of find out the truth. It would be the crazy ones like me, who would swap things in and out multiple times in multiple ways, taking measurements and involve friends and family members to get their impressions etc., in order to get to the truth, or near truth.

Regardless, it is a good feeling to have 200W on hand when you know full well 99.9999% of the time your mid to high end AVR such as the MRX and any Denon 3000 series (ask ADTG) are operating well within their specs, example: less than 1W average when listening to 2ch music programs with peaks to 30W while listening to average spl of 75 to 85 dB in a small to medium size room. My recommendation is, get that amp of your dream and move on, it is worth it, to the point if that means I have to quit coffee for a year and/or eating out, I would do it in a heart beat. Of course amps do offer other benefits beside the controversial one of improved SQ.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yes, must get at least a 200 WPC amp so you can say you've been there & done it.

My first was the Acurus 200X3 amp when I was in college. Got to get it out of the way.

Right now I'm listening to my 60 WPC.

Like Leon the Professional says, you start with the sniper riffle first, and then you graduate to a knife.

 

[fmw]

Whenever I make a change to my system I put a wattmeter in the speaker circuit to see how things are going. Background music takes way less than a watt. Normal listening levels are about 1 watt with peaks up around 8 watts. If I crank the system up to 5 watts, it drives me out of the room. The speakers have an 86 db efficiency which is pretty normal. My 150 watt per channel receiver doesn't even begin to work up a sweat. 25 watts per channel would be more than enough for me. Now the powered subwoofer is another matter entirely. The manufacturers are sure good at selling power aren't they?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Whenever I make a change to my system I put a wattmeter in the speaker circuit to see how things are going. Background music takes way less than a watt. Normal listening levels are about 1 watt with peaks up around 8 watts. If I crank the system up to 5 watts, it drives me out of the room. The speakers have an 86 db efficiency which is pretty normal. My 150 watt per channel receiver doesn't even begin to work up a sweat. 25 watts per channel would be more than enough for me. Now the powered subwoofer is another matter entirely. The manufacturers are sure good at selling power aren't they?

The manufacturers have free help from 99% of audiophiles.

 

[billy p]

Yes, must get at least a 200 WPC amp so you can say you've been there & done it.

My first was the Acurus 200X3 amp when I was in college. Got to get it out of the way.

Right now I'm listening to my 60 WPC.

Like Leon the Professional says, you start with the sniper riffle first, and then you graduate to a knife.

Agreed...and if you liked that Jean Reno film...you should check out 22 bullets...

 

[swspiers]

Sorry I was being pessimistic yesterday.

Let's start over.

CONGRATS on your new and exciting Anthem AVR!

I think you will love it, love it, love it!

That's more like it, dude. I remember back in the day you were always honest, yet managed to be supportive. I was afraid you'd been corrupted by forum-itis!

 

[slipperybidness]

it is absolutely crazy, and I am quite sure you will get your 200W amp sooner or later due to such craziness. It may be (just may be) sad but true that many of us would not realize if you are using only fractional watts now with peaks of <50W, more power won't improve sound quality dramatically (perhaps subtly/slightly), until we have owned one or two, and only after a long enough period of time, say a year.

I believe that's why most people who claim more power won't improve sq in fact are people who have already owned power amps for years. Surely there are enough of power amp owners who never bother finding out if they may be under the influence of Placebo effects. Some never worry about it as they just focus on enjoymnet, others wouldn't want to face reality so they subconsciously avoid any opportunities of find out the truth. It would be the crazy ones like me, who would swap things in and out multiple times in multiple ways, taking measurements and involve friends and family members to get their impressions etc., in order to get to the truth, or near truth.

Regardless, it is a good feeling to have 200W on hand when you know full well 99.9999% of the time your mid to high end AVR such as the MRX and any Denon 3000 series (ask ADTG) are operating well within their specs, example: less than 1W average when listening to 2ch music programs with peaks to 30W while listening to average spl of 75 to 85 dB in a small to medium size room. My recommendation is, get that amp of your dream and move on, it is worth it, to the point if that means I have to quit coffee for a year and/or eating out, I would do it in a heart beat. Of course amps do offer other benefits beside the controversial one of improved SQ.

Lots of power just means 1 less thing to worry about. You know it can drive whatever speakers you may ever want to buy, and you know that "power ain't the problem".

Same with some BJCs that I recently purchased. The quality is top notch and while a little pricey, you get what you pay for (not paying for the name and getting a lesser product like Monster cables). In the future, I know that "cables ain't the problem".

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Agreed...and if you liked that Jean Reno film...you should check out 22 bullets...

Did you buy that movie? I checked Netflix, but they don't have it.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

That's more like it, dude. I remember back in the day you were always honest, yet managed to be supportive. I was afraid you'd been corrupted by forum-itis!

The corruption is there, but I am trying to fight it.

Optimism good. Pessimism bad.

Anthem good.

This world is cynical and pessimistic, so gotta watch it.

 

[psbfan9]

I appreciate most everyone's comments! I have had to put my purchase on hold because of the reoccurring Pseudomonas infection my father has.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I appreciate most everyone's comments! I have had to put my purchase on hold because of the reoccurring Pseudomonas infection my father has.

Sorry to hear that.

Pseudomonas pneumonia ?

Hope he gets better very soon!

 

[psbfan9]

Sorry to hear that.

Pseudomonas pneumonia ?

Hope he gets better very soon!

Thanks!

It's not pneumonia. It's some form of a the Pseudomonas bacteria. He has cancer. This last surgery he a had tumor removed from a kidney and got this infection. They treat it, then it comes back.

Getting old isn't for sissy's,... Credit to Alex for that.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks!

It's not pneumonia. It's some form of a the Pseudomonas bacteria. He has cancer. This last surgery he a had tumor removed from a kidney and got this infection. They treat it, then it comes back.

Getting old isn't for sissy's,... Credit to Alex for that.

Sucks being mortal.

Probably a good reason why we turn to speakers and gears to cheer us up a little.

 

[Theresse]

Hi All -

Late to the party here. I have the Anthem MRX 500 but I kinda sorta feel I don't exactly deserve it because I don't really understand it and I'm no real audiophile by any stretch of the imagination. But my love of music is another story and I have a very good "ear" so it was important to me to get that part right. I don't remember now every reason I chose it...I get very heavily into research when I plan on a big purchase, and I was convinced at the time it was the best bang for my buck considering my need for not compromising on music quality (and I can't afford separates). Most of the reviews suggested the Anthem would provide that quality while still allowing the modern AV advantages I didn't have with my old non-AV receiver. I remember knowing I'd be giving up some bells and whistles by not getting the Marantz (that was my other option) but I was VERY put off by the tiny writing or font or whatever it's called, on the screen of the Marantz. I don't want to have to turn on the TV just to access the menu, either. I wanted a receiver that had a second zone - that was my second priority which I suppose is a given. I was a little disappointed I wouldn't be getting Airplay in case I might decide I want it someday but not too disappointed. I'm getting a little tired of all the wireless everywhere, frankly. I actually paid someone to hardwire our kitchen ceiling speakers to the Anthem which is a couple of rooms over, and also we hardwired the internet for TV streaming.

My only gripes about the Anthem are silly: the volume knob seems to have to be turned to the right a tiny bit more it seems (than other stereos) to get the volume up. Not sure why that is - there might actually be a logical reason. There's no issues with the remote I don't think. But I don't like to rely on remotes. The second complaint (which really should be the first) is that there's a delay when you turn it on, and a delay when you switch components on the Anthem. Again, there might be a reason (I guess all the communicating going on) but it makes me miss the instant-gratification element of the old stereo. I wonder if there's a way to speed things up. It's not a terrible delay - maybe about 3.5 seconds. I wasn't happy to have to spend more money on a pre-amp in order to play vinyl (grrrr) but that's no surprise considering it's an AV receiver. My final gripe is super small and that's that the volume knob is plastic instead of metal. For the price, it should have metal which just feels better, heavier, slicker.

Back to my original statement of not deserving it, I don't know what all this thing is capable of that I'm not utilizing, and part of the reason is that I never did fully understand what an AV receiver does beyond allowing me to have a digital TV (not to mention what the Anthem does in particular). Mainly I use it for ipod music, records on the turntable (using a phono pre-amp as I mentioned, which is a Cambridge Audio, Azur 551PS) and then to watch HDTV and stream movies, watching them in stereo, etc. Eventually we'll get surround sound speakers. I used to have them but I want decent ones next time. I know it has ARC but that doesn't mean much to me yet just cause we only have the two speakers so we haven't tried it. Unless...can it help with just stereo speakers?!

Anyway the sound is fantastic. I have a couple of audiophile quality canadian speakers in the living room and whether it's Metallica, Puccini or Miles Davis, that receiver's doing something very right. I'd love to try the receiver on a couple of very powerful speakers such as the ones I have in my basement that i haven't used in a few years. Ooooh that could be interesting!

Thanks and sorry this was so long.

 

[Theresse]

I forgot to ask: I've never updated by firmware, and have had the receiver for about a year now. Anyone know what types of changes I might see by doing this? Thanks.

 

[PENG]

Typically they post a firmware update log to let you know what the changes are. If you cannot find that on the Anthem site, try emailing them for the information or do a search to see if there is an Anthem official owners thread on the AVS forum. The volume knob behaviour you described seems normal as it is likely an optical digital device instead of the old variable resistor (rheostat) type in the very old (say 20 years or older) stereo receivers. 3.5 second delay before any changes seems excessive, I need to time my to see what it is.

FWIW, if you ever consider an upgrade, and still don't want to compromise music sound quality you don't have to restrict yourself to Marantz and Anthem. You can just go with the features, convenience and reliability. Within the same price range, Anthem, NAD, Marantz, Denon, Integra, Cambridge Audio, Pioneer etc. are all going to have almost ruler flat 20 to 20,000 Hz and THD+N below audible levels at low to near rated output and will most likely sound the same to most of us in a blind listening test.

 

[slipperybidness]

The fact is that very few (if any) people actually use ALL the features on a modern AV receiver.

 

[psbfan9]

Waiting for the a big brown truck!

I really wanted an Anthem, but to keep my speaker budget high I opted for a Yamaha RX A830. Plus, I got no interest, no payments for 12 months through Newegg.

Now, where's that damn truck?!