Anthem AV receiver at CES? - Page 33

Originally Posted by jakowako


I do not want to turn this forum into a discussion of business practices....

Originally Posted by SimpleTheater

I got a call yesterday that my MRX-700 arrived and my boss was nice enough to let me leave early (yes, I used my vacation time). The unit is nice looking - not a show off piece, but I didn't buy it to be looked at. The ARC software/accessories all come in a box inside the receiver box.

I hooked up my speakers (Studio 20's L/R, CC690 Center, ADP590's surround, and a Sub15). Then I hooked up my Pan BD65 BluRay (HDMI).

I installed the ARC software (on a laptop running Windows 7). That went smoothly. I hooked up the ARC Mic using the supplied USB mini-standard cable and put it in the supplied tripod. This struck me as to why Anthem is spending money to supply a tripod, but they do.

The first glitch came when the instructions said to hook up the serial cable to the Anthem (that part was easy) and the other end of the cable to the laptop (that part really shocked me). Why? Because the other end was SERIAL. Even the software says you must be using Windows XP, Vista or 7 - so who has a laptop/computer with a serial connector. So I called my dealer and he actually had a 'Serial to USB' to lend me, so I picked it up and hooked everything up.

I put the mic in position 1 and started the ARC software. The first thing I noticed was unlike the Denon's and Yamaha's I've used in the past, the frequency sweep tone sounded different. It sounds like a digital version of someone saying "Worst". It took about 12 minutes to do all the testing for the five positions. Then it took an agonizing 15 minutes to update the MRX-700 with the data (I think that's why Serial ports are dead).

The one area I'm confused by is setting the MRX-700 to use the ARC settings. I went into the setup and under one of the AUDIO options (I forget which one) it said "ARC" and 'YES' was selected. Normally I'd assume it was setup properly, but the ARC Software manual says you can use both a Movie and a Music setting depending on your source (I'd imagine for CD you'd use Music and for BluRay Movie), but I couldn't find this option. At this point (9pm at night) I wasn't going to bug my dealer, so I'll ask him after I'm done with work tonight- but if anyone has an answer before that, I'd appreciate it.

While the ARC graphs show improvement, I was surprised with a noticeable drop off over 10KHz in all the speakers. The blue line (which shows the optimal Freq. Resp.) was flat from 20-20,000, but the calculated measurement (the green line) showed a significant drop. Any ideas from people who have used ARC before?

I may have left some stuff out in the setup process, but I'm happy to answer any questions.

Originally Posted by SimpleTheater

I got a call yesterday that my MRX-700 arrived and my boss was nice enough to let me leave early (yes, I used my vacation time). The unit is nice looking - not a show off piece, but I didn't buy it to be looked at. The ARC software/accessories all come in a box inside the receiver box.

I hooked up my speakers (Studio 20's L/R, CC690 Center, ADP590's surround, and a Sub15). Then I hooked up my Pan BD65 BluRay (HDMI).

I installed the ARC software (on a laptop running Windows 7). That went smoothly. I hooked up the ARC Mic using the supplied USB mini-standard cable and put it in the supplied tripod. This struck me as to why Anthem is spending money to supply a tripod, but they do.

The first glitch came when the instructions said to hook up the serial cable to the Anthem (that part was easy) and the other end of the cable to the laptop (that part really shocked me). Why? Because the other end was SERIAL. Even the software says you must be using Windows XP, Vista or 7 - so who has a laptop/computer with a serial connector. So I called my dealer and he actually had a 'Serial to USB' to lend me, so I picked it up and hooked everything up.

I put the mic in position 1 and started the ARC software. The first thing I noticed was unlike the Denon's and Yamaha's I've used in the past, the frequency sweep tone sounded different. It sounds like a digital version of someone saying "Worst". It took about 12 minutes to do all the testing for the five positions. Then it took an agonizing 15 minutes to update the MRX-700 with the data (I think that's why Serial ports are dead).

The one area I'm confused by is setting the MRX-700 to use the ARC settings. I went into the setup and under one of the AUDIO options (I forget which one) it said "ARC" and 'YES' was selected. Normally I'd assume it was setup properly, but the ARC Software manual says you can use both a Movie and a Music setting depending on your source (I'd imagine for CD you'd use Music and for BluRay Movie), but I couldn't find this option. At this point (9pm at night) I wasn't going to bug my dealer, so I'll ask him after I'm done with work tonight- but if anyone has an answer before that, I'd appreciate it.

While the ARC graphs show improvement, I was surprised with a noticeable drop off over 10KHz in all the speakers. The blue line (which shows the optimal Freq. Resp.) was flat from 20-20,000, but the calculated measurement (the green line) showed a significant drop. Any ideas from people who have used ARC before?

I may have left some stuff out in the setup process, but I'm happy to answer any questions.

Originally Posted by jakowako

What led you to decide on the MRX 700? Was it added wattage and HD Radio or other reasons? I am perfectly happy with my MRX 500 but there is always that "Should I Go With" in the back of my head.

Originally Posted by SimpleTheater

While I haven't ruled out using HD Radio, it was really the amplifier that made me go with the 700. Not so much the extra watts but the toroidal transformers.

Originally Posted by jakowako

Explain what benefits the toroidal transformers will add. I was under the impression that other than added watts and HD radio, that there was no internal difference between the 500 and 700. Any info would be great - thanks.

Originally Posted by SimpleTheater

I got a call yesterday that my MRX-700 arrived and my boss was nice enough to let me leave early (yes, I used my vacation time). The unit is nice looking - not a show off piece, but I didn't buy it to be looked at. The ARC software/accessories all come in a box inside the receiver box.

I hooked up my speakers (Studio 20's L/R, CC690 Center, ADP590's surround, and a Sub15). Then I hooked up my Pan BD65 BluRay (HDMI).

I installed the ARC software (on a laptop running Windows 7). That went smoothly. I hooked up the ARC Mic using the supplied USB mini-standard cable and put it in the supplied tripod. This struck me as to why Anthem is spending money to supply a tripod, but they do.

The first glitch came when the instructions said to hook up the serial cable to the Anthem (that part was easy) and the other end of the cable to the laptop (that part really shocked me). Why? Because the other end was SERIAL. Even the software says you must be using Windows XP, Vista or 7 - so who has a laptop/computer with a serial connector. So I called my dealer and he actually had a 'Serial to USB' to lend me, so I picked it up and hooked everything up.

I put the mic in position 1 and started the ARC software. The first thing I noticed was unlike the Denon's and Yamaha's I've used in the past, the frequency sweep tone sounded different. It sounds like a digital version of someone saying "Worst". It took about 12 minutes to do all the testing for the five positions. Then it took an agonizing 15 minutes to update the MRX-700 with the data (I think that's why Serial ports are dead).

The one area I'm confused by is setting the MRX-700 to use the ARC settings. I went into the setup and under one of the AUDIO options (I forget which one) it said "ARC" and 'YES' was selected. Normally I'd assume it was setup properly, but the ARC Software manual says you can use both a Movie and a Music setting depending on your source (I'd imagine for CD you'd use Music and for BluRay Movie), but I couldn't find this option. At this point (9pm at night) I wasn't going to bug my dealer, so I'll ask him after I'm done with work tonight- but if anyone has an answer before that, I'd appreciate it.

While the ARC graphs show improvement, I was surprised with a noticeable drop off over 10KHz in all the speakers. The blue line (which shows the optimal Freq. Resp.) was flat from 20-20,000, but the calculated measurement (the green line) showed a significant drop. Any ideas from people who have used ARC before?

I may have left some stuff out in the setup process, but I'm happy to answer any questions.

Originally Posted by Brian-HD

Just picked the 700 from my dealer

Originally Posted by jayray

Congrats!! We're waiting for impressions My 500 should be here tomorrow. Will be setup in my family room in a 2.1 configuration for now. My D2v won't let it into the HT
John

Originally Posted by Brian-HD


It is late here but I listened to 2 ch and enjoyed it very much . Someone needs to start an official thread. Very very happy so far. I had the 500 on ordered but I went for the amp.

Originally Posted by jayray

I gather you haven't run ARC yet?
John

Originally Posted by JimP

jayray.....just send your D2V over here for a visit.

Originally Posted by Brian-HD

It is late here but I listened to 2 ch and enjoyed it very much . Someone needs to start an official thread. Very very happy so far. I had the 500 on ordered but I went for the amp.

Originally Posted by kickingrass

I just got off the phone with Anthem support. I asked about the ARC and the video circuitry in the MRX.
He said the video upconversion is being done by Genesis Torino. He also said the ARC uses the same program as the AVMs and D's, but does not use dual core processsing so the number of filters will be reduced( lower resolution?).
I am paraphrasing but the message I get is it is not the same as " regular ARC". This might affect my decision to move away from Audyssey.

Carl

Originally Posted by kickingrass

I just got off the phone with Anthem support. I asked about the ARC and the video circuitry in the MRX.
He said the video upconversion is being done by Genesis Torino. He also said the ARC uses the same program as the AVMs and D's, but does not use dual core processsing so the number of filters will be reduced( lower resolution?).
I am paraphrasing but the message I get is it is not the same as " regular ARC". This might affect my decision to move away from Audyssey.

Carl

Originally Posted by KB007

Just got my 700 installed and letting in run in for a while. One minor inconvenience, no S-video inputs for the old svhs vcr - will have to use composite. No big deal really.

Haven't run ARC yet, gotta go get a new 9pin to usb adapter - geez, they ship a nice tripod, heavy gauge 9 pin cable, but c'mon, for the extra $4 cost, they coulda shipped a 9pin/usb adapter and truly delighted the customer, rather than send me off to the freakin computer store... grrr...

Oh, it already sounds much better on 2ch stereo than the Denon 3311 I returned last weekend

Originally Posted by KB007

Just got my 700 installed and letting in run in for a while. One minor inconvenience, no S-video inputs for the old svhs vcr - will have to use composite. No big deal really.

Haven't run ARC yet, gotta go get a new 9pin to usb adapter - geez, they ship a nice tripod, heavy gauge 9 pin cable, but c'mon, for the extra $4 cost, they coulda shipped a 9pin/usb adapter and truly delighted the customer, rather than send me off to the freakin computer store... grrr...

Oh, it already sounds much better on 2ch stereo than the Denon 3311 I returned last weekend

Originally Posted by Hexs

J - Since you seem to be one of the most knowledgeable Anthem guys who is getting a new MRX, can we convince you to be the one who starts the new "MRX Owners" thread? I think we all would appreciate it!

Originally Posted by jayray

Congrats!!! Another happy Anthem owner. I think drhankz should put out some of those "dancing boys" for new owners.
John