Anthem str preamp sound? Gene and audioholic

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Rule of thumb/Take home message:

1. hard floors (tiles, wood) are bad for sound. Add some thick rugs, sofas, pillows, drapes, etc.

2. Amps, Preamps, Pre-pros, Integrated Amps, and AVRs in DIRECT MODE (bypass all forms of EQ) will sound very clear and detail if room acoustics and speakers are good

3. Don't waste your money on expensive external DAC because even the DAC in AVRs sound great.

 

[Algnr1636]

Thanks for your advice I apriciated

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

Wow thanks for the info , i whant to demo the anthem str preamp

Give it a go. Why not? Comparing integrated to integrated, there is a difference, for many reasons. Look at the specs sheet for them. Lows were considerably better for one.

*As ACU said, I also always run mine in direct mode. I don't mess with treble, bass, nothing. Leave it the way it was meant to be heard, and room acoustics are hands down going to make the biggest difference. A cheap setup can sound better than a high end one given proper room acoustics.

One thing to note, the Anthem ARC room correction is pretty renowned. It does a great job at what it is intended to do. I love seeing the before and after graphs. It does a fair bit of correction to makeup for poor acoustics, as well as listening distance, obstacles etc. I have tried the software in 2 different houses, works great.

I went with the integrated for many reasons, a unit of this caliber doesn't suffer the same issues as some cheaper builds may have. The whole separates sound better wagon has a busted wheel (AVR's aside). When there is proper isolation, engineering, and components used, integrated units have benefits over separates which I can delve into with detail if you'd like. Unless you need the extra power from the STR amp, which I can guarantee you won't, I'd get the integrated. Anthem uses very conservative figures, and I have had my 1038be's blaring so loud that it is unbearable. No distortion, clipping, nothing. I even tested a bass track, all 3(x2) 7" drivers just a rocking so that the floorboards 2 floors up could feel it. You won't need more than a true, continuous 200w into 8 ohms. You'll also save yourself a few grand, not including interconnect BS.

 

[Algnr1636]

I hope I will demo the integrated too,

 

[PENG]

The pro ject turntable have ortofond red catrige, the turn table sound better than CD player , yes the speaker are in right a left position in front , I am sit in middle on the couch in front , I think all is in the best position

I do find the Ortofon 2M Red on the slightly warm side of neutral, but just very slightly, to my ears. There is no reason the Emo CD player would not sound neutral. That leaves the XSP-1 the prime suspect. As ADTG mentioned, you may have some EQ on, in this case it is not EQ but the high and low frequency trim circuitry. To be 100% sure it is not affected transparency, do the following:

1. Press the "Direct" button. See section 4, on page 8 in the user manual, it says:

Direct Button
Press this button to bypass the high-frequency and low-frequency trim circuitry; the status will be indicated in the VFD. Unlike old-style tone controls or digital processing, the HF and LF Trim adjustments on the XSP-1 are implemented by discrete analog components, and switched by analog switches under digital control. This yields precise control, perfect repeatability, and the assurance that the trim circuitry is totally out-of-circuit when it is bypassed, while keeping the audio signal entirely in the analog domain.

2. Set the main line outputs to "Full Range". See section 9 on page 11 of the user manual:

Full Range / High Pass Selector (for Main Outputs)
To make the Main Outputs of the XSP-1 full range (and disable bass management for the Main Outputs),set this switch to the left (away from the High Pass adjustment screw).

Anthem STR preamp, power amp, integrated amps for sure will sound good with you speakers, but your XSP-1 and XPA-2 should also sound good with those speakers. I have Marantz, Parasound, Bryston, NAD, Outlaw, Anthem, and other amps, they all sound good. So if I tell you, like many others will, that Bryston amps sound better than Anthem, and McIntosh, Passlab, Krell, Bel Canto, Boulder amps sound better than Bryston and McIntosh etc. etc., then what are you going to buy?

For example: in one review on the MCA 525, the reviewer said:

I’ve recently had some great-sounding amplifiers in my system, including Bel Canto Design’s e.One REF600M monoblocks ($4990/pair),Blue Circle Audio’s BC2K4sh ($5595),and Cyrus Audio’s Stereo 200 ($3499). While each of those amps outperformed the MCA 525, all of them cost as much as or more than the Anthem for only two channels of amplification.

I bet he felt those other amps sounded better than the Anthem because they were more expensive, and I would bet my money 2 to 1 he would not have passed a properly conducted blind test.

The thing is, for people who boasted how the amps they own sounded fantastic, phenomenal, authoritative, incredible or whatever, chances are really good that in a double (or even single) blind, level matched comparison listening with you Emotiva amps, they will not be able tell a difference. The fact is, your speakers, your room acoustic conditions, and your media sources and media players that determine the sound quality.

Now, do I prefer the Anthem MCA 325 or the STR integrated, or the STR preamp+STR power amp over your Emotiva amps, surely I do, but it won't be for better sound quality.

 

[Algnr1636]

I do find the Ortofon 2M Red on the slightly warm side of neutral, but just very slightly, to my ears. There is no reason the Emo CD player would not sound neutral. That leaves the XSP-1 the prime suspect. As ADTG mentioned, you may have some EQ on, in this case it is not EQ but the high and low frequency trim circuitry. To be 100% sure it is not affected transparency, do the following:

1. Press the "Direct" button. See section 4, on page 8 in the user manual, it says:



2. Set the main line outputs to "Full Range". See section 9 on page 11 of the user manual:



Anthem STR preamp, power amp, integrated amps for sure will sound good with you speakers, but your XSP-1 and XPA-2 should also sound good with those speakers. I have Marantz, Parasound, Bryston, NAD, Outlaw, Anthem, and other amps, they all sound good. So if I tell you, like many others will, that Bryston amps sound better than Anthem, and McIntosh, Passlab, Krell, Bel Canto, Boulder amps sound better than Bryston and McIntosh etc. etc., then what are you going to buy?

For example: in one review on the MCA 525, the reviewer said:




I bet he felt those other amps sounded better than the Anthem because they were more expensive, and I would bet my money 2 to 1 he would not have passed a properly conducted blind test.

The thing is, for people who boasted how the amps they own sounded fantastic, phenomenal, authoritative, incredible or whatever, chances are really good that in a double (or even single) blind, level matched comparison listening with you Emotiva amps, they will not be able tell a difference. The fact is, your speakers, your room acoustic conditions, and your media sources and media players that determine the sound quality.

Now, do I prefer the Anthem MCA 325 or the STR integrated, or the STR preamp+STR power amp over your Emotiva amps, surely I do, but it won't be for better sound quality.

Thank for your info I put on direct mode and full range on the back of the xsp 1 and sound a lot better thanks a lot , for your help , I will do a demo on the anthem str I am curios of the sound , if I buy the anthem str preamp , I only can’t go with Mca 225 because the str power amp is too pricy for me , and the benefit with the str pream for me are the dac , and can’t stream music , but for now the emotiva are sound good with your advice

 

[Algnr1636]

I do find the Ortofon 2M Red on the slightly warm side of neutral, but just very slightly, to my ears. There is no reason the Emo CD player would not sound neutral. That leaves the XSP-1 the prime suspect. As ADTG mentioned, you may have some EQ on, in this case it is not EQ but the high and low frequency trim circuitry. To be 100% sure it is not affected transparency, do the following:

1. Press the "Direct" button. See section 4, on page 8 in the user manual, it says:



2. Set the main line outputs to "Full Range". See section 9 on page 11 of the user manual:



Anthem STR preamp, power amp, integrated amps for sure will sound good with you speakers, but your XSP-1 and XPA-2 should also sound good with those speakers. I have Marantz, Parasound, Bryston, NAD, Outlaw, Anthem, and other amps, they all sound good. So if I tell you, like many others will, that Bryston amps sound better than Anthem, and McIntosh, Passlab, Krell, Bel Canto, Boulder amps sound better than Bryston and McIntosh etc. etc., then what are you going to buy?

For example: in one review on the MCA 525, the reviewer said:




I bet he felt those other amps sounded better than the Anthem because they were more expensive, and I would bet my money 2 to 1 he would not have passed a properly conducted blind test.

The thing is, for people who boasted how the amps they own sounded fantastic, phenomenal, authoritative, incredible or whatever, chances are really good that in a double (or even single) blind, level matched comparison listening with you Emotiva amps, they will not be able tell a difference. The fact is, your speakers, your room acoustic conditions, and your media sources and media players that determine the sound quality.

Now, do I prefer the Anthem MCA 325 or the STR integrated, or the STR preamp+STR power amp over your Emotiva amps, surely I do, but it won't be for better sound quality.

What you think of ps audio? I considered the stellar monoblock m700 and the direct stream dac sr or jr , you think is good?

 

[PENG]

Thank for your info I put on direct mode and full range on the back of the xsp 1 and sound a lot better thanks a lot , for your help , I will do a demo on the anthem str I am curios of the sound , if I buy the anthem str preamp , I only can’t go with Mca 225 because the str power amp is too pricy for me , and the benefit with the str pream for me are the dac , and can’t stream music , but for now the emotiva are sound good with your advice

For a $4000 preamp with onboard DAC, that DAC does not impress me at all. They don't tell you what it is, and it cannot play any DSD above 5.6 MHz. Not that it would make much difference but if they wouldn't even spend a few dollars more for a flag ship DAC chip, it tells you something. You are right, it can't stream music, not via your network, though you could stream music using your PC.

You can consider adding an external streamer/dac such as the Oppo Sonica that is far superior in specs than the STR's onboard DAC.
https://www.oppodigital.com/sonica-dac/

This thing has volume control so you can connect it directly to the XPA-2 if you wish. Oppo is getting out of the this part (audio and disc players) of the business but they are supposedly committed to support the existing generation of products.

 

[Algnr1636]

For a $4000 preamp with onboard DAC, that DAC does not impress me at all. They don't tell you what it is, and it cannot play any DSD above 5.6 MHz. Not that it would make much difference but if they wouldn't even spend a few dollars more for a flag ship DAC chip, it tells you something. You are right, it can't stream music, not via your network, though you could stream music using your PC.

You can consider adding an external streamer/dac such as the Oppo Sonica that is far superior in specs than the STR's onboard DAC.
https://www.oppodigital.com/sonica-dac/

This thing has volume control so you can connect it directly to the XPA-2 if you wish. Oppo is getting out of the this part (audio and disc players) of the business but they are supposedly committed to support the existing generation of products.

Thanks for your recomendation I also considered the Schiit Yggdrasil dac the mytek dac+ and the benchmark. Dac3 hgc , The new emotiva dr1 monoblock are 1000 w on 4 ohm what you think if I add this monoblock to my xsp1 will better sound , ? Than change preamp?

 

[PENG]

What you think of ps audio? I considered the stellar monoblock m700 and the direct stream dac sr or jr , you think is good?

Not familiar with them at all. At those price levels, they should be good though. What's important to you, the look, power output, affordability/price, weight, length of warranty period, reliability track record, audio specs, bench test data? You've got to know which of those things are most important to you, there are so many choices, and every single one of the mid to high end gear has their proud/faithful owners/follower.

 

[PENG]

Thanks for your recomendation I also considered the Schiit Yggdrasil dac the mytek dac+ and the benchmark. Dac3 hgc , The new emotiva dr1 monoblock are 1000 w on 4 ohm what you think if I add this monoblock to my xsp1 will better sound , ? Than change preamp?

No, the recommended amplifier power for the Legacy SE is 10-300 W. The XPA-2 gen 3 is rated well over 490 W x2 into 4 ohms. I don't know which generation you have, but the gen 1 and gen 2 were also rated over 400 W into 4 ohms two channels driven. so the 1000 W won't change anything for you.

Another thing you should double check, depending on what you will find, you may be able to improve things further. I just realize the Legacy SE has two trim switches at the back. The top one is for the treble and the lower one for the bass. If you want a slightly brighter sound, make sure you flip that switch up. If it is down, it cuts treble by 2 dB. If things sound too warm for you now, you should also try flipping the bass trim (the lower switch) switch to the down position. So again, flip the treble trim switch up, and the bass trim switch down, and see/hear what happens.

 

[Algnr1636]

Thanks My emotiva is a xpa 2 gen 3 , the switch on the legacy are up , thank a lot

 

[PENG]

Thanks My emotiva is a xpa 2 gen 3 , the switch on the legacy are up , thank a lot

Thanks, try flipping the bass (the lower one) to the down position. That should thin out the sound a little and sound clearer. There are there for good reasons, so use it to help deal with your room effect.

 

[Algnr1636]

Thanks I will try. How sound. . Your advise help a lot this sound better now,

 

[Algnr1636]

Thanks, try flipping the bass (the lower one) to the down position. That should thin out the sound a little and sound clearer. There are there for good reasons, so use it to help deal with your room effect.

Wow sound great all your tips workin well the speaker sound more detail and little cleaner , this improve I will think not spend more money , in other brands , I only need a dac roon ready or streamer roon ready. To all my músic I have tidal and deezer , Thanks a lot my friend for all your help alfredo

 

[PENG]

Wow sound great all your tips workin well the speaker sound more detail and little cleaner , this improve I will think not spend more money , in other brands , I only need a dac roon ready or streamer roon ready. To all my músic I have tidal and deezer , Thanks a lot my friend for all your help alfredo

Good to know you are happier now with your gear. You paid a lot for your toys, so it makes sense to do everything possible to get them play well together. Now you are no longer under pressure to spend more, so take your time to audition the higher end stuff, such as the STR, PS Audio even if just for fun. It is very difficult to know if one amp or preamp sounds better than the other at the dealer's place unless you equalize everything (hook up method, same wires, same source, all EQ, tone control bypassed, level matched etc etc..) yourself, and then sit still in the same place at all times, and use only the best recordings that you are familiar with.

 

[Algnr1636]

Thanks a lot. Electronic always move forward but if you like the sound you have , don’t move forward , but only is drasticall change