Anthem vs Earthquake

[mwb]

looking at going pre/pro, My equipment so far = Denon 5700 , either anthem power amp P5, or earthquake Cinema grande 5, and Paradigm studio 100's, Paradigm 570 center, paradigm studio 40 surrounds, veledyne sub.
can i get some suggestions on what you guys think about the anthem vs like the earthquake power amps, any input would be greatful

thanks

 

[mike c]

unless the anthem amp is the 325wpc model ... the earthquake amp has a lot more power on tap. it's also a lot cheaper than the anthem 325wpc amp (which I think has an SRP of 6000USD)

I think the studio 100's can benefit a lot from a bigger wpc amp.

 

[PENG]

unless the anthem amp is the 325wpc model ... the earthquake amp has a lot more power on tap. it's also a lot cheaper than the anthem 325wpc amp (which I think has an SRP of 6000USD)

I think the studio 100's can benefit a lot from a bigger wpc amp.

The Studio 100 will do fine with 100 WPC (low distortion). I agree more is always better but some people seem to think the 100 would sound much better with more power. I think some of those (obviously there are people with above average or even exceptional hearing) who make their decision based on such claims could be disappointed.

 

[mazersteven]

For $6000, I think I'd be looking at a Bryston amp.

 

[mwb]

earthquake vs anthem

i can get the earthquake grande 5 for about 2700 and the p2 probably 1000 more, so this is my question, or anything in the 2500 to 3500 or so price range.

 

[tdeluce]

No question about it... For less money you will get a more powerful amp
with less distortion with the Cinenova Granade series.

Earthquake Sound ROCKS!

 

[mike c]

The Studio 100 will do fine with 100 WPC (low distortion). I agree more is always better but some people seem to think the 100 would sound much better with more power. I think some of those (obviously there are people with above average or even exceptional hearing) who make their decision based on such claims could be disappointed.

you are right, I myself can't hear the "better" sound as to mids and highs ... but I was thinking more of helping the BASS drivers out, especially when doing 2.0 listening.

Studio 100:
Sensitivity -- Room / Anechoic 91 dB / 88 dB
Suitable Amplifier Power Range 15 – 350 watts
1" tweeter
7" mid
3 x 7" woofers

 

[PENG]

you are right, I myself can't hear the "better" sound as to mids and highs ... but I was thinking more of helping the BASS drivers out, especially when doing 2.0 listening.

Studio 100:
Sensitivity -- Room / Anechoic 91 dB / 88 dB
Suitable Amplifier Power Range 15 – 350 watts
1" tweeter
7" mid
3 x 7" woofers

Yes, if the room is relatively large, and the source material has highly dynamic information (e.g. some classical music), hence 350 watts, or more IMO.

May be I worried about nothing, but whenever I saw someone telling someone else "for sure you will hear the difference", I got concerned that people may literally take that to the bank. Other than that, I like high end high power equipment too, even though I don't have that gifted hearing sense to appreciate anything more than a subtle/perceived better sound from high end over the mid priced equipment. Speakers being the exception, despite my average hearing ability I could tell the difference easily between the Paradigm Signature, Studio, Enery Veritas, B&W 800 series etc.

Back to the original question, considering the current exchange rate, I think the Earthquake is the way to go if you are in the U.S. Both companies make great amps, but the Earthquake seems to offer more watts per dollar. Unless you can hear the " difference", and like the Anthem sound better.

 

[mike c]

as the OP said ... the P2 (2 channel amp) is 1 thousand USD more expensive than the cinenova 5!

for that money:
1) get the cinenova 7 and bi-amp your fronts and never ask yourself again if
there is enough power.
or
2) get the cinenova 5 and cinenova 3 to biamp the front three channels.

overkill yes, but the anthem P5 is still more expensive than the above 2 options.

 

[mike c]

Yes, if the room is relatively large, and the source material has highly dynamic information (e.g. some classical music), hence 350 watts, or more IMO.

in your opinion, does classical music eat more watts than r&b/rap (with the rythmic crawling bass)?

 

[jcPanny]

Emotiva MPS-1

Check out the MPS-1 from av123.com. 7 mono channels of 200 Watts @ 8 and 300 Watts @ 4. Fully balanced design. On sale for $1700 with the link from the Secrets of HT site.

 

[PENG]

in your opinion, does classical music eat more watts than r&b/rap (with the rythmic crawling bass)?

Mike, I would say not always, but some classical music has very high dynamic range. You can imagine what it is like when over 100 musical intruments including a number of double basses, woodwinds, brass, typani and bass drum etc. suddenly playing full blast at the same time. Even real cannons were used in some of the 1812 Overture recordings. I measured the current flow to each of the front speakers once when playing some of my Telarc CD's and was surpised to see currents well in excess of 10A. The r&b/rap may eat more watts on a continuous basis though.

 

[mike c]

Mike, I would say not always, but some classical music has very high dynamic range. You can imagine what it is like when over 100 musical intruments including a number of double basses, woodwinds, brass, typani and bass drum etc. suddenly playing full blast at the same time. Even real cannons were used in some of the 1812 Overture recordings. I measured the current flow to each of the front speakers once when playing some of my Telarc CD's and was surpised to see currents well in excess of 10A. The r&b/rap may eat more watts on a continuous basis though.

was asking cause it could mean the world on who really needs more watts