NHT power5 VS. Anthem A5

I have heard both. They are very similar - neutral sounding. I like the modular design of the Anthem. On the other hand the Anthem will run a lot hotter because it is an A/B design.

Blindfolded I don't think anyone would be able to tell the difference.

I have the Power 5 and I am very happy with it. I have not heard the A5 but from what I understand it is a very good amp. What is it that you do not like about the Power 5? Can you demo the A5 in your system to compare?

Bill

There is no harshness in the Power5. Look elsewhere in your room/system.
Getting the Anthem isnt going to change your system , both are gonna be so similar that the differences are neglible.
The Power5 however does run cooler, weighs less and is smaller, all while doing what the anthem is doing. The power5 has a unique way of playing loud without siblance.

I agree. I understand about the high end harshness. And I have a Power5 in my system. I was getting headaches if cranking the volume to even a moderate level for as little as 30 minutes. But I've now installed a Perseus (2CH tube pre) and no longer hear any brightness/harshness. Plus, overall SQ has improved. So it doesn't seem to be the Power5 at issue.

I would go with the Anthem. I have heard the Anthem...nice unit. As I understand, they have discontinued the NHT Power5.

Are you saying the Power5 is harsh, or not? You just added a Tube premp. That will tone down anytrhing.

Sorry

Most threads on pre/pros say the Marantz is very musical and it normally is one of the top picks for people saying music is important (vs just HT). Let us know what you find out, and if it is the Marantz.

jcg

I was just agreeing that I didn't think it was the Power5 that was harsh. The tube pre-amp certainly did tone down the harshness without loss of clarity. Not sure what was causing the harshness before but it is gone now.

I do not think the Power 5 is harsh at all. I went from a Parasound Halo A52 which is highly regarded amp. I decided to try the Power 5 as I was very interested in ICE Module based amps but most were out of my budget. With the Power 5 being discontinued by NHT the close out prices were too good to pass up.

I listened to several songs I am very familiar with using the A52 (with a Onkyo 805 as a pre-pro) right before I put the Power 5 in my system. I found the SQ to be just as good if not better with the Power 5 over the A52 with these same songs. One thing that was very apparent to me is that the Power 5 could handle higher volumes for extended periods of time over the A52. But this comparison is not a fair one IMO as the Power 5 is rated at 200 watts @ 8ohms and the A52 is 125 watts @ 8ohms.

I recently added the Rogue Audio Perseus to my system as bahorn has and it has incredible SQ. When compared to the 805 for 2 channel listening (I always used the Pure mode) the Perseus just blows away the 805 without a doubt.

So I would say try to listen to each amp if you can possibly in your own system. Both are great amps and feel you can not go wrong with either one. As psujohny mentioned earlier weight, size (depth) and low if any heat produced with the Power 5 are very positive factors for me. I have had some very big (depth) and very heavy (Sherbourn 7/2100A 125lbs.). All were a challenge to place in my rack and not to mention a serious strain on my back.

Bill

Another useless post by my buddy B&W

The Integra isnt gonna add warmth over the Marantz if thats what your asking.
Imo H/K receivers are the best sounding ( and warmest ) receivers out there to my ears ..Ive had em all Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, Yamaha...These 4 brands sound more alike then different, only the H/K sounds distinctly different and warmer...again imo, to my ears, blah blah

There a lots with better preamp circuitry including:
Cambridge Audio
NAD
B&K
and Arcam

Yea Your right, these are all nice sounding units no doubt ( especially Arcam )...I should of said, out of the usual suspects here on AVS ( Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, Yamaha )..with more of a slant on HT with all the bells and whistles. H/K receivers are mid-line at best ...and again, let me stress even out of usual suspects list, it is just my opinion and nothing more...

PU,

What did I say that was incorrect?

See if you can listen to both units, then decide.

You better go out and listen to the 9.8

Yes, but none of these do the new lossless codecs which was one of his requirements.

jcg

I've noticed that too Dave. Bad recordings sound really bad. So I took the P2 out of the loop and went back to my Pioneer receiver and I get the same result at similar volume levels. Grates me like fingernails on a chalkboard. I think the 300 degree tweeter on the Gallos have a lot to do with it. My room is relatively soft in that it is fully carpeted and furnished but my walls are bare. I don't want my living room to look like a recording studio but I'm looking around for some decorative things to hang that will minimze the reflections. Until I find what I'm looking for, no more head banging. I just don't think a change in electronics can make that much of a difference in output, except for additional head room. If they do, they're coloring things in a way that's unacceptable to me.

I have an Integra 9.8 hooked to the Power5 for HT and multi-channel listening. The Integra is a great unit. However, for 2CH listening, the Integra is not optimal. I have no experience with Marantz. Before the Integra, I had a Denon AVR hooked to the Power5. As mentioned though, my harshness didn't go away until I installed the Perseus and had it hooked directly to the Power5, for 2CH listening only.

I have Salk SongTowers. They are very revealing speakers. But I haven't seen anyone say that they tend be bright.

Have you seen this thread on brightness?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1026239

Have you already read Eric Carroll's sticky thread on pre/pros supporting the latest codecs and Rudolpht's thread on AVRs that support the latest codecs?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=943558

Zissou has a thread that discusses the SQ of various pre/pros.

How so? What are you basing this on?