Anthem MRX Receivers - 300, 500, 700 Owners Thread & Tweaking Guide - Page 438

Originally Posted by audit13 

If you think it sounds good now, wait until ARC kicks in.
Why Yamaha did you have before?
One thing I found that told me how good this receiver is was this: using my MRX for a month, going back to my Onkyo for a few hours, and then going back to the MRX.

Originally Posted by salty777 

Thanks again Audit. I plugged just the RCA into the sub's by-pass input. I set speakers as small, 80hz..... the subwoofer section was greyed out and marked "ON". Can't do anything there for some reason.
The dealer is adamant using ARC will improve things, but has offered to exchange it and I'm likely to go for the Intgra 50.4..... which I know is an Onkyo 818 but will cost me $500 more! Stupid, eh?? Unfortunately the dealer doesn't do Onkyo, and won't refund, so exchange is my only option.

Originally Posted by Billy p 

Yamaha rxv1800 it was rated @135x7 very good amp section IMHO ...I'm just using the analog connections from CD player to the 300 but I have not encountered the SQ or sonic problems as the other gentlemen......fwiw I haven't even connected my sub yet...will do... once the xmass tree is outta the way..

Originally Posted by rwheelwright 

Question for those of you that use vtuner. I finally hooked up and Ethernet cable and played around for a few. Everything I listened to sounded distorted. Anybody notice this? I don't listen to too much music down there but I was curious if anybody else noticed this.

Originally Posted by Spurrier Sucks 

Anyone have a TV/PJ setup using a HDMI splitter with their Anthem? How does the Anthem play with the splitter?

Originally Posted by Apgood 

Check that whether or not you have anything like anthem music or DD pro logic enabled. I noticed at one stage that they seemed to introduce a bit more distortion than using the None setting.

Originally Posted by salty777 

Hello all
My first post and I'm in need of some help.....! I'll be brief.....
Basically, I've been using an Onkyo 989 for the last 10 years or so. I decided to get "modern" (I really wanted to use HDMI to reduce clutter!) and did some research according to my available budget, and narrowed it down to the Onkyo 818 or the MRX300. I chose the 300 because of the good reviews, and I don't need networking or USB etc..... I have an Apple TV for all that.
I listened to the 700 which was on demo, and was really impressed. The dealer told me the differences between the 300 and 700 were networking, USB and more power..... but he also said for my room the 300 power would be more than enough.
I bought it yesterday and did a set-up, but did not run ARC as I'm waiting for a friend who has an old fashioned PC with RS232..... I use a Mac, and can't run the software (unless I partition and buy Windows!!).
After testing the radio, playing Avatar on BluRay, checking out some iTunes trailers and playing some of my own music I have to say I am very disappointed. The 989 literally blows the 300 away. The 300 is really, really soft. It has no slam, attack, whatever you want to call it. It's like it's not even trying to make my sub work as it can.
Unfortunately the dealer has a "no refund, no exchange on used" policy.... I expect he'll consider my unit used, though only for a few hours.
I can't see that running ARC will make much of a difference. The problem is lack of power.... it just doesn't have any oomph, and that translates into a really tepid listening experience at home, far different to what I experienced with the 700 demo in the dealers store.
Do any of you have any tips, as it looks like I'm stuck with it?
Many thanks.... oh, and please don't offence at this "criticism" of Anthem..... it sounded great at the dealer..... I just can't get anything like that sound at home.

Originally Posted by Niavlys 

I had the exact same problem with my first MRX 300. My 20 years old 60W/channel Carver receiver was sounding way better than my MRX.
Luckily for me, my father has an MRX 300 so we were able to do a side by side comparison. Then it became obvious that my unit was defective.
We tried to fix the problem with a factory reset and a software update but it did not help at all. Then the next day, the receiver simply refused to power on.
I got a new replacement unit from the dealer and i’m an happy customer now, the MRX is up to the task ......... and the Carver is in the basement now !

Originally Posted by Crescent 

I've had mine for a year now. There were some challenges at first, but the 300 as a prepro is one of the better HT moves I've ever made. Especially since the dealer was having a 20% off sale.
and many thanks to the forum members on this thread that you see as regulars. Very helpful. Very grateful.

Originally Posted by audit13 

Did you try out your 300 as an avr before adding an external amp? I'm just curious as to the improvements an external amp made in the overall scheme.

Originally Posted by Canary_Jules 

I think I read in Tigger's set up guide that the sub gain should be set to 2/3 before running ARC. What if this is deemed too loud? I used to have a Denon receiver and ended up having to physically reduce the gain to 1/3 because Audyssey maxed out at -12. I'd then have to run Audyssey again. Does the same process apply with ARC? If so, what does it max out at?
Thanks

Originally Posted by Canary_Jules 

Thanks. Well having just switched from a Denon 2113 to the MRX 300 I just left my sub in the same 1/3 position as before and ran ARC. It's showing the Sub level as -1. So I presume that it's right first time.
I do notice, however, that ARC changed my crossovers. I have Teufel THX select 2 certified F,C,R speakers and Ultra certified dipole surrounds. I set them all to 80 hz to begin with. ARC has now set the left and right fronts to 60hz, the centre to 100hz and the surrounds to 80hz. Does this sound like a reasonable adjustment? 80hz is the THX recommendation isn't it?

Originally Posted by Canary_Jules 

Front Left 0, Centre -1, Front Right +2, Surr Right 0, Surr Left 0, Sub -2, Aux Right 0, Aux Left 0
Is that what you need?
Thanks

Originally Posted by Canary_Jules 

Thanks. Well having just switched from a Denon 2113 to the MRX 300 I just left my sub in the same 1/3 position as before and ran ARC. It's showing the Sub level as -1. So I presume that it's right first time.
I do notice, however, that ARC changed my crossovers. I have Teufel THX select 2 certified F,C,R speakers and Ultra certified dipole surrounds. I set them all to 80 hz to begin with. ARC has now set the left and right fronts to 60hz, the centre to 100hz and the surrounds to 80hz. Does this sound like a reasonable adjustment? 80hz is the THX recommendation isn't it?

Originally Posted by Canary_Jules 

Thanks for your replies. I'll download the latest firmware.
I'm having a little trouble interpreting the graphs (as a calibrator video is really my thing!). So you can tell that the sub doesn't go very low because it registers 90 at 20hz? Is that correct? My sub (a BK XLS 200) is presently situated in a corner of my room. Is shifting it about and using the quick measure the best way forward? To be honest I've been a bit frustrated with the lack of bass (once it's dialled in) with my past few receivers (primarily Denons running Audyssey, but also a Pioneer with MCACC). Perhaps I need a better sub?

Originally Posted by Canary_Jules 

Presumably, when I update the firmware I'll need to run ARC again? Does it wipe the settings?

Originally Posted by audit13 

Based on your graph, your sub's output starts rolling off around 60 hz as it approaches 20 hz. On my sub chart, the line is flatter between 20 and 60 when compared to yours.
Did you disable your sub's onboard crossover?
Sorry, I'm not familiar with your sub but moving it around may help.

Originally Posted by Canary_Jules 

Yes, it's disabled. The BK subs are UK produced - XLS200 page on manufacturer website here