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Anthem AV receiver at CES? - Page 37

post #1081 of 1261
11/8/10 at 9:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by osofast240sx View Post

what about 6ave?

No longer a dealer.
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post #1082 of 1261
11/8/10 at 9:53am
Just pulled the trigger on a MRX500, and it should be in the rack and running Saturday. I'm coming from an Arcam AVP700 that is no longer fitting my needs. I will post my impressions of the new unit as soon as I can.

Does anyone know if a standard issue RS232 to USB cable will work for setting up ARC? I have access to one of these.
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post #1083 of 1261
11/8/10 at 9:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boss21xd View Post

Just pulled the trigger on a MRX500, and it should be in the rack and running Saturday. I'm coming from an Arcam AVP700 that is no longer fitting my needs. I will post my impressions of the new unit as soon as I can.

Does anyone know if a standard issue RS232 to USB cable will work for setting up ARC? I have access to one of these.

You need an adapter with Windows software drivers that create a virtual serial port -- a COM port -- that the Anthem software will see just as if you had a real, physical serial port on the Windows PC.
--Bob
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post #1084 of 1261
11/8/10 at 10:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnla View Post

But thanks to the Chicago Blackhawks, she sure is not polishing the Stanley Cup.....

She sure is thanks to where some players are born and raised :
LL
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post #1085 of 1261
11/8/10 at 10:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post

I have been reaching out to the NJ Anthem dealers looking for a MRX demo; so far I got two calls this morning... Total Home Technologies ((totalhomenj.com) Roseland NJ), and Hi-Tech Stereo ((hitechstereo.com) Ocean, NJ) both have MRX receivers up and running. I will check out one or both this week and post my impressions.
Maybe Santa will bring me a MRX-700 next month...

Better post soon or you're going to be in big trouble
John
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post #1086 of 1261
11/8/10 at 12:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by madshi View Post
Will the MRX pass unsupported video formats through?
Sorry, it doesn't, just the common CEA formats for SD/HD TV, plus 1080p24.

PC resolutions are not supported even in Through mode.

Update: At some point during the software updates, PC resolutions started being supported in Through mode but I don't know which ones because I only have equipment at hand to confirm that 1360x768 works.
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post #1087 of 1261
11/8/10 at 12:41pm
Does Dolby Volume default to on or off for these AVRs?
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post #1088 of 1261
11/8/10 at 12:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by favorini
Does Dolby Volume default to on or off for these AVRs?
Off.
John
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post #1089 of 1261
11/8/10 at 12:46pm
Between myself and friends, I may be in the market for a D2v, a MRX-500 and a MRX-700.

I really wish there was a dealer in Albuquerque. The idea of driving 1.5 hours to Santa Fe just to see these units is unappealing.

Then, if I bought one and then needed dealer support, that that would entail another 3 hour round-trip drive.
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post #1090 of 1261
11/8/10 at 1:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpoet View Post
Between myself and friends, I may be in the market for a D2v, a MRX-500 and a MRX-700.

I really wish there was a dealer in Albuquerque. The idea of driving 1.5 hours to Santa Fe just to see these units is unappealing.

Then, if I bought one and then needed dealer support, that that would entail another 3 hour round-trip drive.
Call the dealer and suggest he do a road show for your buying club!
--Bob (could be worse, could be in Truth or Consequences) P.
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post #1091 of 1261
11/8/10 at 1:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gostan View Post

No new owner is willing to give a real review because each has either been unable to run ARC due to lack of a Keyspan adapter, or is afraid to because they do not want to be the starter of the Official Anthem MRX Receiver thread.


Prior to purchasing the MRX or Anthem pre/pros, I would suspect most if not everyone knew they needed something to hookup to their computer and then to the receiver. I had mine several days before I took delivery. Not a hard thing to do. As for starting my review, I couldn't do ARC because my friend didn't have the time to do it so it will have to wait, so I gave my review as far as it went. This is not a cure for cancer, but a hobby we all enjoy. Let's all take a deep breath and relax. Someone who has a 7.1 system that is their main system and which will get a lot of attention, might want to start it or anyone else for that matter. No need to take pot shots since we will all need eachother's help at sometime.
John
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post #1092 of 1261
11/8/10 at 1:56pm
Has anyone done a listening comparison of the MRX 500 and 700, preferably with the same room, speakers and source? Still trying to decide. My dealer is expecting both in the second shipment (still a week or so out). I will try to do a comparison there, once they are set up. I assume you can measure for ARC once and download the same solution to both units.
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post #1093 of 1261
11/8/10 at 2:19pm
Figured I weigh in since I got my MRX-700 Thursday. So far it sounds freaking great, ARC is very cool, and the amp section is far more robost than one would think given the 120 rating

I had to unmothball my old laptop with my radioshack USB to Serial Cable (the Prolific on I had didn't work) to get ARC to work but once you get the serial stuff sorted out, it's easy to use.

Only issues I have are:

1) Cannot use "Through" in the Video setup when I send 1080P/24 from my Oppo BDP-83. Says "No Signal" but will work if you hit the Menu or Setup button on the remote (not sure what they call it since I've had so many units in the last 2 year)

You can set it to 1080P or Auto in the Video setup and it works fine and will play 1080P/24 and have it hit the TV as 1080P/24. Andrew from Anthem did replicate it.

2) Wish there were some button on the remote or just one button to toggle Audio processing (PLIIx Movie, PLIIx Music) Also, no direct mode so it always is processing the audio signal. That said ARC is so good, that I guess I don't care right now

In the last 12 months I put this as the best sounding piece I've had, followed by

UMC-1, XPA-5 (buggy as all hell, could not keep it and stay married...maybe I should have kept it)
Marantz SR7005 (great sound and value and had zero issues with it..selling on Agon now)
Denon 4810 (tons of features, but sound was boring. Improved when I added an XPA-5 to the mix)

Patrick
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post #1094 of 1261
11/8/10 at 3:00pm
Will you need separate management for subwoofers like SMS-1 or ARC takes care of subwoofer equalization as well uto 20Hz?


Thanks
Mani
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post #1095 of 1261
11/8/10 at 3:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mani View Post

Will you need separate management for subwoofers like SMS-1 or ARC takes care of subwoofer equalization as well uto 20Hz?


Thanks
Mani

ARC takes care of it.
--Bob
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post #1096 of 1261
11/8/10 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PGriff1051 View Post

Figured I weigh in since I got my MRX-700 Thursday. So far it sounds freaking great, ARC is very cool, and the amp section is far more robost than one would think given the 120 rating

I had to unmothball my old laptop with my radioshack USB to Serial Cable (the Prolific on I had didn't work) to get ARC to work but once you get the serial stuff sorted out, it's easy to use.

Only issues I have are:

1) Cannot use "Through" in the Video setup when I send 1080P/24 from my Oppo BDP-83. Says "No Signal" but will work if you hit the Menu or Setup button on the remote (not sure what they call it since I've had so many units in the last 2 year)

You can set it to 1080P or Auto in the Video setup and it works fine and will play 1080P/24 and have it hit the TV as 1080P/24. Andrew from Anthem did replicate it.

2) Wish there were some button on the remote or just one button to toggle Audio processing (PLIIx Movie, PLIIx Music) Also, no direct mode so it always is processing the audio signal. That said ARC is so good, that I guess I don't care right now

In the last 12 months I put this as the best sounding piece I've had, followed by

UMC-1, XPA-5 (buggy as all hell, could not keep it and stay married...maybe I should have kept it)
Marantz SR7005 (great sound and value and had zero issues with it..selling on Agon now)
Denon 4810 (tons of features, but sound was boring. Improved when I added an XPA-5 to the mix)

Patrick

Quote:
Originally Posted by mani View Post

Will you need separate management for subwoofers like SMS-1 or ARC takes care of subwoofer equalization as well uto 20Hz?


Thanks
Mani

Hey Patrick,
Congrats on your purchase. I am curious you said you are using an Oppo BDP- 83? Is it the SE model? The reason I ask is because I wanted to know if you use the oppo with analog 5.1 outs. The SE's 32 bit dac's sound so damn good I wonder if the MRX will sound as good with the Oppo via HDMI?
Also you said you owned a (Marantz SR7005, great sound and value and had zero issues)? Does the MRX 700 sound better than the Marantz? How does the ARC compare with the audysee on the Marantz?
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post #1097 of 1261
11/8/10 at 3:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeffeMusic View Post

Hey Patrick,
Congrats on your purchase. I am curious you said you are using an Oppo BDP- 83? Is it the SE model? The reason I ask is because I wanted to know if you use the oppo with analog 5.1 outs. The SE's 32 bit dac's sound so damn good I wonder if the MRX will sound as good with the Oppo via HDMI?
Also you said you owned a (Marantz SR7005, great sound and value and had zero issues)? Does the MRX 700 sound better than the Marantz? How does the ARC compare with the audysee on the Marantz?

I have the regular model and use it only via HDMI. I built a music server for music playback which uses a Asus Essence ST sound card with some up graded op amps for analog output. I tested the Anthem using the SPDIF output and the analog output of the Essence and like the SPDIF with ARC better than analog with ARC. Next step maybe be a USB DAC (maybe the W4S DAC 2)

I will say that ARC provides a little more space and depth than did the Marantz. The Marantz may be a bit smoother on the top. I also like Dolby Volume better than the Audssey solution. Have not had enought time to fully digest. I do like Anthem's support as well (Had a D2 3 years ago)
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post #1098 of 1261
11/8/10 at 4:52pm
Thanks for the quick response!
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post #1099 of 1261
11/8/10 at 5:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boss21xd View Post

Just pulled the trigger on a MRX500, and it should be in the rack and running Saturday. I'm coming from an Arcam AVP700 that is no longer fitting my needs. I will post my impressions of the new unit as soon as I can.

Does anyone know if a standard issue RS232 to USB cable will work for setting up ARC? I have access to one of these.

I'd be curious to know your impressions of mrx500 vs avp700 SQ wise. I'm coming from an Arcam AVR350. It doesn't fit my needs any longer either. Sonds great though.

Is there any confirmation that the only real differences between the mrx300, 500, and 700 are features and power? If the pre stages are the exact same I could go for a 300 over 500 with my 3 ch amp. Save some cash.

Do they all have the same amps with different implimintations? i.e. power supplies, transformer, secondaries etc...

Can you override any arc settings? crossover setting? never owned an anthem.

There aren't any M.CH analog inputs (300/500), right? Just 700? I'm currently using my oppo 83 5.1 outs with my avr 350.
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post #1100 of 1261
11/8/10 at 7:18pm
If you want to change any of ARC's choices you do that within the ARC application on the Windows PC. See the Targets window in ARC's Manual mode. Then you recalculate your ARC solution with those changes and re-upload the result to the Anthem.
--bob
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post #1101 of 1261
11/8/10 at 8:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick @ Anthem View Post

She sure is thanks to where some players are born and raised :

As did some other countries all over the world as well. That is the great thing about the one of the traditions of winning the Stanley Cup, where each player on the winning team pretty much gets to take it wherever he wants to.
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post #1102 of 1261
11/9/10 at 1:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cosanostra View Post

i have an external amp the butler 5150, which should i get the mrx300 or mrx500? please help! thanks

anyone?
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post #1103 of 1261
11/9/10 at 3:37am
MRX 700 has no Multi ch inputs.
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post #1104 of 1261
11/9/10 at 4:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cosanostra View Post


anyone?

The 300 can work very well as your preamp using external amps.
John
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post #1105 of 1261
11/9/10 at 5:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PGriff1051 View Post

Denon 4810 (tons of features, but sound was boring. Improved when I added an XPA-5 to the mix)

Patrick

Patrick, I am hoping to have my dealers MRX700 to demo this weekend (in place of my Denon 4810). Can you offer up some specifics on how the Anthem compares to the Denon in (i) Audio in Surround Mode; (ii) Audio in 2 CH mode, and (iii) amplifiers in general.

I am hoping to replace the 4810 with the 700, but I decided that I wanted to have the opportunity to demo the 700 in my home before getting rid of the Denon, as it has performed flawlessly for me, but it could be replaced by something that is a bit more dynamic audio wise.

Thx, and enjoy your new toy.
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post #1106 of 1261
11/9/10 at 5:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jayray View Post

Off.
John

Not yet... that'll be in next production. For now it has to be turned off manually:

Temporary, until changing source - press the DV button then up/down keys.

Permanent for that source - in source setup, advanced options list.

To leave DV on without causing on vs off volume difference, set leveller to Low and cinema reference mode to Off.

Unlike AVM/D, there's a blue light on the front panel to indicate on vs off status.
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post #1107 of 1261
11/9/10 at 6:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick @ Anthem View Post

Not yet... that'll be in next production. For now it has to be turned off manually:

Temporary, until changing source - press the DV button then up/down keys.

Permanent for that source - in source setup, advanced options list.

To leave DV on without causing on vs off volume difference, set leveller to Low and cinema reference mode to Off.

Unlike AVM/D, there's a blue light on the front panel to indicate on vs off status.

I stand corrected
John
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post #1108 of 1261
11/9/10 at 6:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by svphile View Post

I'd be curious to know your impressions of mrx500 vs avp700 SQ wise. I'm coming from an Arcam AVR350. It doesn't fit my needs any longer either. Sonds great though.

Is there any confirmation that the only real differences between the mrx300, 500, and 700 are features and power? If the pre stages are the exact same I could go for a 300 over 500 with my 3 ch amp. Save some cash.

Do they all have the same amps with different implimintations? i.e. power supplies, transformer, secondaries etc...

Can you override any arc settings? crossover setting? never owned an anthem.

There aren't any M.CH analog inputs (300/500), right? Just 700? I'm currently using my oppo 83 5.1 outs with my avr 350.

Bit of a hitch now. The dealer had stock when I called in the morning, but I did not put any money down. Went to pickup the unit after work and it had been sold. So now I have a deposit on the next unit through the door, but who knows when that will happen.

I am hoping the 500 sounds at least similar to my friends AVM20 music wise, but I really don't know since I've never heard the 500. Compared to my Arcam (which I LOVE the sound of as well), his Anthem gear always sounded warmer to me. Not worse, just different. It is the rock solid reliability of his Anthem that has sold me on the sight-unseen purchase of the new receiver. I am confident it will work for years to come, and I could not say that of some of the other units being considered for replacing the Arcam. Including Arcam.
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post #1109 of 1261
11/9/10 at 7:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gostan View Post

Patrick, I am hoping to have my dealers MRX700 to demo this weekend (in place of my Denon 4810). Can you offer up some specifics on how the Anthem compares to the Denon in (i) Audio in Surround Mode; (ii) Audio in 2 CH mode, and (iii) amplifiers in general.

I am hoping to replace the 4810 with the 700, but I decided that I wanted to have the opportunity to demo the 700 in my home before getting rid of the Denon, as it has performed flawlessly for me, but it could be replaced by something that is a bit more dynamic audio wise.

Thx, and enjoy your new toy.

Don't get me wrong, the 4810 is a nice unit with regards to features: audyssey, video processing, internet firmware updates, options to switch decoding modes via remote, but the sound of the Anthem is much better. Definately more dynamic (never been fond of the AL24 processing) and with ARC the soundstage is better and mids are much clearer.
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post #1110 of 1261
11/9/10 at 8:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PGriff1051 View Post

Don't get me wrong, the 4810 is a nice unit with regards to features: audyssey, video processing, internet firmware updates, options to switch decoding modes via remote, but the sound of the Anthem is much better. Definately more dynamic (never been fond of the AL24 processing) and with ARC the soundstage is better and mids are much clearer.

I'm pretty sure the question that many of us want to know is that if they're intending to use an Anthem receiver as a prepro, are there any advantages in going with the 700 over say the 300?
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