Anthem or Arcam

[Nomme de Plum]

I'm replacing my Meridian system including the 861V8 Processor with a more modern device. The two on my shortlist are the newly released Anthem AVM 90 or Arcam AV41. Models from Trinnov and Lyngdorf although highly desirable are too expensive and beyond the need of my aged ears.

I am not interested in any cinema receivers.

Anthem run ARC and Arcam Dirac Live Room correction.

Does anyone have any experience of these or maybe previous models? They will drive active front and centre speakers, possibly Buchardt or Dynaudio for L&R

[Panamax]

I neded a new AV amp last year and bought the Anthem MRX 540.

Absolutely brilliant piece of kit. Stunning sound quality and quite enough power from this entry model. Great value.

[mgv8]

https://nadelectronics.com/product/m17-v2i-surroun... could be an option?
Arcam old stuff sounded amazing but lacked reliability (both in braking down and userabilty). Most of this has gone now so its really down to choice. I have used DIRAC and like it but took a few goes with mic position and volume setting to get the best out of it (I used my own mic).

[dobly]

Arcam's flagship product, the AV41 Processor, should be all that you need.
Approach your local Arcam dealer and ask for a home demonstration - they will connect the unit up and set it up for you. Arcam's manuals are better than they used to be, but there are still quirks and features that are best left to someone that does this for a living,

[Nomme de Plum]

Thank you gents.

I do like the idea of Dirac Live which is independent of Processor manufacturers, although the Anthem review is very encouraging. I've not seen one for Arcam yet.

I'm really disappointed that Meridian have stopped developing their processor. It is an amazing bit of kit as the signal remains digital until it gets to the speakers. The sound quality was spectacular.

Hi quality stereo is essential for me with the cinema surround being secondary. I'm just building a Roon NUC with inbuilt storage to migrate all my digital music. I'll keep my Michell Orbe turntable for the vinyl.

[anonymous-user]

Personally I’d also look at Yamaha Aventage receivers.

[Nomme de Plum]

wormus said:

Personally I’d also look at Yamaha Aventage receivers.

Thank you for the advice but I prefer separate amplification so Receivers do not work for me. I had a Yamaha flagship model decades ago when i had Kef 107s It was very good but not even close to a good class A, A/B amp.

I like active speakers too.

[tonyg58]

Anthems are far superior for me. Have heard many of them (both stereo and surround).
Don't need a surround amp myself, but having tried many stereo amps I bought an STR a few years ago, it performed much better than amps that cost a lot more for me.
So pleased with it and it got even better when ARC Genesis was released.
To me DIRAC is limited to what is on their system , but with ARC you have more options for calibration and if you (or the dealer) are really knowledgeable with ARC, you will be amazed athow good it sounds, it can also help with getting a good position for a sub if you have some freedom where to place it (can't remember how sorry, haven't calibrated one in a while).

[Nomme de Plum]

tonyg58 said:

Anthems are far superior for me. Have heard many of them (both stereo and surround).
Don't need a surround amp myself, but having tried many stereo amps I bought an STR a few years ago, it performed much better than amps that cost a lot more for me.
So pleased with it and it got even better when ARC Genesis was released.
To me DIRAC is limited to what is on their system , but with ARC you have more options for calibration and if you (or the dealer) are really knowledgeable with ARC, you will be amazed athow good it sounds, it can also help with getting a good position for a sub if you have some freedom where to place it (can't remember how sorry, haven't calibrated one in a while).

Thanks Tony. My gut said Anthem. Bit more expensive at about £6.5K.

I think i probably need to get up top speed on these new digital amps.

[tonyg58]

I once set a system up with Anthem M1s driving the front channels.
By far the best system I have ever heard, so dynamic it was unreal (but then it should at 2kw per channel into the Dynaudios that were being used).
Worth trying to listen to if you can.

[Deep]

Nomme de Plum said:

I'm replacing my Meridian system including the 861V8 Processor with a more modern device. The two on my shortlist are the newly released Anthem AVM 90 or Arcam AV41. Models from Trinnov and Lyngdorf although highly desirable are too expensive and beyond the need of my aged ears.

I am not interested in any cinema receivers.

Anthem run ARC and Arcam Dirac Live Room correction.

Does anyone have any experience of these or maybe previous models? They will drive active front and centre speakers, possibly Buchardt or Dynaudio for L&R

Anthem without a doubt. Arcam are still problematic with their bugs etc.

I know a couple of high end dealers/installers, if the client can't afford the really expensive stuff ie Trinnov, Storm etc then they always recommend the Anthem.
There's an AVF review out there that actually says that the Anthem runs the Trinnov very close on sound quality and the reviewer actually owns a Trinnov himself. The Trinnov costs over £13k iirc.

Have a read of this.

https://www.avforums.com/reviews/anthem-avm-90-av-...

[JimexPL]

Which Dynaudios are you considering?

In the last twelve months I’ve installed ten Arcam products and two have had problems, but it’s been on the rs232/IR control side with Crestron. I don’t think I’ve had an issue with an Anthem product until they’re pretty old and abused.

Both sound great, but for me Anthem have the edge. I regularly pair them up with Dynaudio speakers on projects as I know clients will enjoy the result.

[Nomme de Plum]

JimexPL said:

Which Dynaudios are you considering?

In the last twelve months I’ve installed ten Arcam products and two have had problems, but it’s been on the rs232/IR control side with Crestron. I don’t think I’ve had an issue with an Anthem product until they’re pretty old and abused.

Both sound great, but for me Anthem have the edge. I regularly pair them up with Dynaudio speakers on projects as I know clients will enjoy the result.

I'm looking at the new Focus 30. Unfortunately I don't think they have xlr inputs so i will use phono. Roon will be connected via the network, ideally RJ45 in preference to wireless.

My main issue is how Anthem Arc will interface with Dyneaudio Dirac Live. I can't quite get my head around how two DSPs could function.

[anonymous-user]

Nomme de Plum said:

wormus said:

Personally I’d also look at Yamaha Aventage receivers.

Thank you for the advice but I prefer separate amplification so Receivers do not work for me. I had a Yamaha flagship model decades ago when i had Kef 107s It was very good but not even close to a good class A, A/B amp.

I like active speakers too.

Fair enough. I use mine for film and music and it works well to my ears. I use it for both 5.1 and 2.1, with separate amplification (via pre-out) for my front ProAC speakers. The AV handles the crossover to my BK sub which, for music, adds real depth. Not the traditional audiophile approach maybe but I’ve found this composite approach works well.

Technology has come a long way and Aventage amps really are very good.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 14th December 11:16

[Nomme de Plum]

wormus said:

Fair enough. I use mine for film and music and it works well to my ears. I use it for both 5.1 and 2.1, with separate amplification (via pre-out) for my front ProAC speakers. The AV handles the crossover to my BK sub which, for music, add real depth. Not the purest approach maybe but I’ve found this composite approach works well.

I know my hearing is not what it once was so I'm not going to go too mad cost wise. I would have probably stuck with Meridian had they developed the 861. It's built like a computer so boards can be added or swopped out.

I am not intending to run Roon through the Surround processor so DSP in the speakers is quite helpful to balance out room oddities.

[anonymous-user]

Nomme de Plum said:

wormus said:

Fair enough. I use mine for film and music and it works well to my ears. I use it for both 5.1 and 2.1, with separate amplification (via pre-out) for my front ProAC speakers. The AV handles the crossover to my BK sub which, for music, add real depth. Not the purest approach maybe but I’ve found this composite approach works well.

I know my hearing is not what it once was so I'm not going to go too mad cost wise. I would have probably stuck with Meridian had they developed the 861. It's built like a computer so boards can be added or swopped out.

I am not intending to run Roon through the Surround processor so DSP in the speakers is quite helpful to balance out room oddities.

Indeed, room correction is also one of the main benefits of the AV amp I use. For most cases I use “straight” mode so it presents music and film as it was originally recorded. The DACs these days are pretty good too and obviously you’ve got all connectivity you could ever want.

[tonyg58]

Nomme de Plum said:

I'm looking at the new Focus 30. Unfortunately I don't think they have xlr inputs so i will use phono. Roon will be connected via the network, ideally RJ45 in preference to wireless.

My main issue is how Anthem Arc will interface with Dyneaudio Dirac Live. I can't quite get my head around how two DSPs could function.

There's no need to run the DIRAC as ARC will take care of everything unless you have a really problematic room or speaker positioning.
I don't know the current Focus digital range, but you will need to ensure that you don't get problems with volume controls interfering with one another since you now have two systems instead of one.
I've had a quick look through the Focus manual and it looks like there is a fixed level setting for them, so that should probably be used.

[Zero7]

I relaced my Arcam stuff with Anthem years ago, so bloody reliable, easy to you and their Arc room correctino is fantastic,

[JimexPL]

tonyg58 said:

Nomme de Plum said:

I'm looking at the new Focus 30. Unfortunately I don't think they have xlr inputs so i will use phono. Roon will be connected via the network, ideally RJ45 in preference to wireless.

My main issue is how Anthem Arc will interface with Dyneaudio Dirac Live. I can't quite get my head around how two DSPs could function.

There's no need to run the DIRAC as ARC will take care of everything unless you have a really problematic room or speaker positioning.
I don't know the current Focus digital range, but you will need to ensure that you don't get problems with volume controls interfering with one another since you now have two systems instead of one.
I've had a quick look through the Focus manual and it looks like there is a fixed level setting for them, so that should probably be used.

Yes you can set them as fixed volume so that they act just like a conventional speaker connected to a power amplifier. I supply a few sets a year (we’re mainly custom install) and they sound great. If I was renewing my current set up they’d be my first choice. Please PM me if you want a PH special price on them!

[findtomdotcom]

I haven’t played with Yamaha for a long time, noting the reviews hold them in high regard. How do they compare to NAD?

I had a Arcam AVR prior to NAD. As some have said, they have small quirks and issues. However musically, were fantastic sounding. I’m also a huge fan of DIRAC.