LOOK(IN SILVER), EASE OF USE, 2 CHANNEL STEREO(USE THE DIRECT MODE) IS FANTASTIC-VERY OPEN AND NATURAL. THE DECODING OF 5.1 MOVIES IS TOP NOTCH.

THE REMOTE STINKS

I LOVE THIS UNIT. I TESTED THE PARASOUND AV2500, AND THE ACURUS 1800, BUT THE ANTHEM IS FAR BETTER. IT IS BUILT BETTER AND SOUNDS SUBSTANTIALLY BETTER. I GIVE IT A 10!

Similar Products Used:

ACURUS, PARASOUND 2500

Easy smooth set-up and operation. Smooth detailed sound with excellent sound stage. Dead quiet, no hum - nothing.

Surround modes are few so it would have helped if time delay was adjustable in each surround mode. Would like to be able to use 24bit/96kHz with other surround modes.

When hooked up to my old system it clearly outperformed that old Marantz Model 7 tube preamp. I had been worried because I can't stand the edginess of most solid state equipment. But the AVM 2 took that worry right off the radar screen and I found myself listening for enjoyment rather than critiquing the sound.

Next was to have the AVM 2 run a pair of Counterpoint NPMs and B&W loudspeakers in stereo mode with the XLR outputs. It was simply wonderful. Of course the counterpoint NPMs had a lot to do with it, but the AVM 2 provided a great signal for NPMs to do their magic.

My advise is this is a great processor at $2,000, but at the full list of $2,800 there may be other excellent choices that provide more sound fields and the latest decoding capability from Dolbly and DTS. Purchasing this processor would not be a mistake unless you must have that 6.1 or 7.1 capability.

I gave it a Value =4 because nothing is perfect, and an Overall = 5 because it sounded better than I had imagined it would.

Great sound, great looks, easy to program, very neutral sounding in direct mode, great 24/96 decoding engine and fantastic at decoding DVD's.

Remote.

This is one great piece. I find myself thinking about getting home and putting on some music. It is very transparent.
It has balanced and single ended outputs. It has two toslink, one balanced and 7 digital inputs. It has a DVD direct input that also can be used for a analog two channel direct input.( I use mine for my LP-12 it does great!) It switches component video (2 in 1 out), s-video (7 in # out) and composite video (7 in 3 out).
It has a customizable subwoofer crossover, with adjustable output. (It remembers the sub. settings for each input.) It has internal timers so that you can set it to come-on when you are due home or use it as a very nice alarm clock.
This piece is up there with the very best. Sonic Frontiers/Anthem hit one out of the park with this piece. There is nothing better even at the list price!

Similar Products Used:

Sunfire, B&K 30, Classe.