Opinions of Anthem Users. I am considering the Anthem AVM 70 8K

[TLS Guy]

My Marantz AVP 7706 is giving trouble after only 4 months.

Yesterday it developed the same problem as my Marantz AVP 7705.

Yesterday afternoon it developed a low level buzz that was not cancelled by muting the unit, and was totally independent of the volume setting. It was not audible from the headphone output. It was present on all channels.

Soft reset has had no impact.

This is virtually identical to the issue on my previous 7705.

I suspect the problem is in the processing chip. Typically only one run is done. I suspect there was an impurity in manufacture now becoming evident due to aging of the chips whether used or not.

Masimo in my opinion have been poor owners of Sound United, and the sooner they move on the better. However, I think it likely that Sound United will disappear, or the branding just be sold, which will amount to the same thing.

So I am negotiating to possibly purchase the Anthem AVM 70 8K. In Amir's hands it measured very well. However the user manual is awful and totally inadequate, which is off putting to say the least.

My other option is the Marantz AV10. However, that is more money, can't be rack mounted and I have lost confidence in Sound United and its products to say the least, after a good run of almost 20 years with their products.

So, the opinion of Anthem users is welcome.

 

[gene]

My Marantz AVP 7706 is giving trouble after only 4 months.

Yesterday it developed the same problem as my Marantz AVP 7705.

Yesterday afternoon it developed a low level buzz that was not cancelled by muting the unit, and was totally independent of the volume setting. It was not audible from the headphone output. It was present on all channels.

Soft reset has had no impact.

This is virtually identical to the issue on my previous 7705.

I suspect the problem is in the processing chip. Typically only one run is done. I suspect there was an impurity in manufacture now becoming evident due to aging of the chips whether used or not.

Masimo in my opinion have been poor owners of Sound United, and the sooner they move on the better. However, I think it likely that Sound United will disappear, or the branding just be sold, which will amount to the same thing.

So I am negotiating to possibly purchase the Anthem AVM 70 8K. In Amir's hands it measured very well. However the user manual is awful and totally inadequate, which is off putting to say the least.

My other option is the Marantz AV10. However, that is more money, can't be rack mounted and I have lost confidence in Sound United and its products to say the least, after a good run of almost 20 years with their products.

So, the opinion of Anthem users is welcome.

Anthem AVM70/90 are great products, easy to use and ARC is quick set up for good out of box results. Marantz AV10 is built to a higher standard and is a solid piece and offers a host of streaming options. Both are great in their own regards and I recommend watching our comparison video to learn more.

 

[TLS Guy]

Anthem AVM70/90 are great products, easy to use and ARC is quick set up for good out of box results. Marantz AV10 is built to a higher standard and is a solid piece and offers a host of streaming options. Both are great in their own regards and I recommend watching our comparison video to learn more.

Thanks Gene that helps. The big issue is that it is very costly, the second issue is that it can't be rack mounted and the Anthem can.
Anyway thanks for your input.

 

[Joe B]

I've been using an Anthem MRX 520 in a 5.1 set up for 9 years...no issues, problems or complaints. Anthem's ARC works really well. I'd imagine you'd be happy with the AVM70.

 

[Kleinst]

That's a bummer. I hope you get something that will last for the long term. Will be very curious to hear your thoughts if you get the Anthem as I've never had anything they make.

Is your Marantz still under warranty?

Peng would be able to provide some context most likely.

 

[TLS Guy]

That's a bummer. I hope you get something that will last for the long term. Will be very curious to hear your thoughts if you get the Anthem as I've never had anything they make.

Is your Marantz still under warranty?

Peng would be able to provide some context most likely.

Yes, it is under warranty. It is only 4 months old. However if it goes for repair it will have issues in another four months or less, if they even have the parts. Sound United are now a disgrace. Masimo have run the outfit into the ground with a bunch of no nothing MBAs.
I'm done with Sound United and I bet I have a lot of company.

 

[lovinthehd]

How about a hard/full reset? What if the Anthem does the same thing?

 

[TLS Guy]

How about a hard/full reset? What if the Anthem does the same thing?

I did that when the last one failed, no result. This is clearly a hardware issue and not software. If I did not design and build really robust speakers, that last one would have blown them up. In any event it blew the output stage of one channel right out of the water.

I'm done with Sound United.

I think if the next one gives trouble I will go to a two channel all vintage Quad for the audio, and strip the audio from HDMI. On the other hand I might just splurge and go the highest of the high end for the AV processor.

What I really treasure is my gear that keeps working after fifty or more years and has fidelity as good or better than anything built today.

 

[lovinthehd]

I did that when the last one failed, no result. This is clearly a hardware issue and not software.

I'm done with Sound United.

I think if the next one gives trouble I will go to a two channel all vintage Quad for the audio, and strip the audio from HDMI. On the other hand I might just splurge and go the highest of the high end for the AV processor.

You had no issues for so long. Is this in one particular use/mode? Going Trinnov instead?

ps what would the likely culprit be if a few months of use is involved before the problem occurs (assuming all else is static)?

 

[TLS Guy]

You had no issues for so long. Is this in one particular use/mode? Going Trinnov instead?

ps what would the likely culprit be if a few months of use is involved before the problem occurs (assuming all else is static)?

I'm pretty sure the problem is in the processing ship. It is after the volume stage.

The problem with ICs is that as a rule only one run is done. Often times a contaminant takes years to show. Sometimes this affects the whole batch, but may not manifest for quite a few years after the production run. I have two units that use the same processing chip fail in exactly the same way.

ICs are a really mixed blessing. The more complex the more that is true.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'm pretty sure the problem is in the processing ship. It is after the volume stage.

The problem with ICs is that as a rule only one run is done. Often times a contaminant takes years to show. Sometimes this affects the whole batch, but may not manifest for quite a few years after the production run. I have two units that use the same processing chip fail in exactly the same way.

ICs are a really mixed blessing. The more complex the more that is true.

I'm just not seeing this sort of issue with the Marantz pre-pros (or their avrs or similar Denon avrs) so am mostly curious what the specific issue might be. Brand/ownership maybe, but.... Implementation of the processing chip or defective chips, without a lot of similar experiences hard to know where it goes. You have different models made at different times but with same connecting system....so might want to make sure the pre-pros misbehave outside of your system?

 

[Kingnoob]

Yes, it is under warranty. It is only 4 months old. However if it goes for repair it will have issues in another four months or less, if they even have the parts. Sound United are now a disgrace. Masimo have run the outfit into the ground with a bunch of no nothing MBAs.
I'm done with Sound United and I bet I have a lot of company.

Yeah repair sucks I had to get my onkyo fixed before warranty expired I could barely carry that 40+ pound avr. Hdmi still works it’s what broke . Good luck finding something better. I’d still get it fixed though. What’s it just cost shipping?

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm just not seeing this sort of issue with the Marantz pre-pros (or their avrs or similar Denon avrs) so am mostly curious what the specific issue might be. Brand/ownership maybe, but.... Implementation of the processing chip or defective chips, without a lot of similar experiences hard to know where it goes. You have different models made at different times but with same connecting system....so might want to make sure the pre-pros misbehave outside of your system?

When the 7705 failed I spoke with a very nice tech at an authorized service center. He knew exactly what the problem was and was very familiar with this issue. He said Marantz were not releasing anymore boards to the centers. Now I suspect it was because they wanted to bung what they had left into the remaining 7706 units. So he said my only option was recycling and replacement. I really should not have bought that 7706, but the dealer is sending it back for a full refund since it is only four months old.

I'm told these Marantz AVPs are in very short supply. The 8805A which I was considering is not available to dealers currently according to my dealer, and I don't want to order from an online dealer over a unit like this.

I'm fairly certain the Sound United is on its beam ends and entering its death throws.

 

[lovinthehd]

When the 7705 failed I spoke with a very nice tech at an authorized service center. He knew exactly what the problem was and was very familiar with this issue. He said Marantz were not releasing anymore boards to the centers. Now I suspect it was because they wanted to bung what they had left into the remaining 7706 units. So he said my only option was recycling and replacement. I really should not have bought that 7706, but the dealer is sending it back for a full refund since it is only four months old.

I'm told these Marantz AVPs are in very short supply. The 8805A which I was considering is not available to dealers currently according to my dealer, and I don't want to order from an online dealer over a unit like this.

I'm fairly certain the Sound United is on its beam ends and entering its death throws.

I guess my opinion of Marantz and their pre-pros, while was mediocre before, has fallen.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm done with Sound United.

I think if the next one gives trouble I will go to a two channel all vintage Quad for the audio, and strip the audio from HDMI. On the other hand I might just splurge and go the highest of the high end for the AV processor.

What I really treasure is my gear that keeps working after fifty or more years and has fidelity as good or better than anything built today.

Sour grapes much?

Well this explains your recent doom-gloom opinion of SU.

The AV7706 is relatively older and not exactly considered SOTA by many. Heck, I think the Denon X3800 had much better measurements than the AV7706. This blows away your long time theory about how AVP are just much better than AVR.

Try a new Denon AVR. It might surprise you if you can temporarily put aside your feelings.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I guess my opinion of Marantz and their pre-pros, while was mediocre before, has fallen.

Why? Just because one guy had a bad experience with his old AV7705/7706?

The AV7706 was released in 2020. Who knows how long his AV7706 has been sitting around on some storage racks before it was sold to him?

Do other people feel the same about their Marantz AVP’s?

 

[TLS Guy]

Sour grapes much?

Well this explains your recent doom-gloom opinion of SU.

The AV7706 is relatively older and not exactly considered SOTA by many. Heck, I think the Denon X3800 had much better measurements than the AV7706. This blows away your long time theory about how AVP are just much better than AVR.

Try a new Denon AVR. It might surprise you if you can temporarily put aside your feelings.

An AVR is zero use to me. My system can NOT work with an AVR.

So it really comes down to the very expensive Marantz AV 10 made in Japan, or the Anthem made in Vietnam. The video Gene posted above was very helpful. At the moment I'm leaning towards the AV10. I suppose I should believe that if its good enough for Gene, then it should be good enough for me. For one thing, it does not look as if it is thrown together like most gear these days. They now make a rack kit for it, and that probably will be the clincher. Both of those units have rack mounts.

 

[highfigh]

My Marantz AVP 7706 is giving trouble after only 4 months.

Yesterday it developed the same problem as my Marantz AVP 7705.

Yesterday afternoon it developed a low level buzz that was not cancelled by muting the unit, and was totally independent of the volume setting. It was not audible from the headphone output. It was present on all channels.

Soft reset has had no impact.

This is virtually identical to the issue on my previous 7705.

I suspect the problem is in the processing chip. Typically only one run is done. I suspect there was an impurity in manufacture now becoming evident due to aging of the chips whether used or not.

Masimo in my opinion have been poor owners of Sound United, and the sooner they move on the better. However, I think it likely that Sound United will disappear, or the branding just be sold, which will amount to the same thing.

So I am negotiating to possibly purchase the Anthem AVM 70 8K. In Amir's hands it measured very well. However the user manual is awful and totally inadequate, which is off putting to say the least.

My other option is the Marantz AV10. However, that is more money, can't be rack mounted and I have lost confidence in Sound United and its products to say the least, after a good run of almost 20 years with their products.

So, the opinion of Anthem users is welcome.

IF you want the Marantz, contact Middle Atlantic (the rack company)- they have made custom rack ears for decades.

Is your AVP being replaced under warranty? Who was the seller?

 

[TLS Guy]

IF you want the Marantz, contact Middle Atlantic (the rack company)- they have made custom rack ears for decades.

Is your AVP being replaced under warranty? Who was the seller?

Yes, it will be warranty. The seller was a dealer Hi - Fi Sound of Minneapolis. I have known the owner Scott for years. Phil and I pushed a lot of business his way in years gone by.
I have a rack picked out already. Both units can be rack mounted now. Scott is a dealer for Marantz and Anthem.

 

[Trebdp83]

Unfortunate state of affairs. If keeping the 7.1 EXT IN. is a must, choices are fewer still. The 8805A is available online though I know you are reluctant to go that way. The Trinnov Altitude32 is fitted with the 7.1 EXT IN but they aren’t exactly giving that unit away. Do not Anthem units require web setup with no onscreen setup? Something to consider along with the user manual.

The Marantz AV10 will lack the 7.1 EXT IN but features LFE Distribution to route LFE to any speakers set to Large as I know are present in this system. The 2CH Playback feature offers separate speaker settings for use in Stereo and Direct mode.

I would keep an open mind and also consider the Denon AVR-A10H. Its amplifiers can be shut down when setting it to Preamplifier mode for use with external amps. It is equipped with the LFE Distribution and 2CH Playback features as well.

The A10H also features Bass Extraction LPF for the ability to adjust the point at which low frequencies are copied to the subwoofer when using speakers set to Large.

To experiment with a unit a bit less equipped with customizable features but at a much lower cost, the Denon AVR-X3800H that @AcuDefTechGuy mentioned can be used in Preamplifier mode for all channels as well and, like the AVR-10H and AV10, features LFE Distribution and 4 Subwoofer Pre Outs with separate level and distance settings.

If one believes Denon/Marantz to be on their way out, I’d get the most features for the least amount of money at this point. The X3800H is well equipped but lacks the 7.1 EXT. IN as well. Though, it is time to let that one go. Whatever you do, good luck with it.