Anthem MRX Receivers - 300, 500, 700 Owners Thread & Tweaking Guide - Page 464

I'm assuming you installed ARC correct? ARC installs the driver for the mic I believe.

And remember to load the mic calibration file from the CD.

It's been a while, but I don't remember that being a separate process. You load ARC from the CD, and it makes you select the mic from a list, then you proceed. Right?

Yes, you're right. Thinking about it now, I installed ARC from the Anthem website and then realised I had to copy the calibration file from the CD..

Oh yeah, that would be the exception if you got ARC from somewhere other than your supplied CD!

I'm thinking about buying an MRX 700, but there is one thing wrong with it. It doesn't play FLAC. So I was contemplating converting all my music to WMA-L but I really don't want to do that. I mean, who really uses that format? FLAC is so much more popular.

Is there an audiophile quality FLAC player out there that you can recommend for me? I've heard a little bit about these Pivo media players, but how do they hook up to the receiver, and how do they sound?

Some would suggest I use my computer. That is not an option because my computer is in my kitchen and its 3 noisy fans point towards the living room. When I listen to music I want the computer off. Also, the sound quality is not that great.

So I'm looking for something that can play off of a 64 GB USB thumb drive, or a HDD.

Thanks

What are you using as a blu-ray player, uf anything at all? I play flac through my Oppo 93. That may be more cost and firepower than you are looking for, but I love my Oppo!

I'm with you. My only complaint if you will.
However, it didn't stop me from getting a MRX 500. I've been thinking about getting a Oppo 103 in order to play FLAC files. A bit of a pricey upgrade, but if I sell my Oppo 83 it won't be too painful. Not to mention a new BD player & FLAC capabilities. Win-win!

Right now my PS3 is my blu-ray player, and it doesn't play flac. I don't own a lot of blu-ray discs. I get most of my video from the internet. I thought about buying a Cambridge Audio 651 or 751, but I'd be buying it mainly for the flac playback, so a bit of overkill there. I did audition the 751 playing flac, and it was phenomenal!!! Cost is $1200. The 651 is something like $800. That might be an option.

You could also get a media player such as the WDTV or Pivos which can connect the the mrx via hdmi or optical. Each of these units will automatically convert the flac to lossless multichannel pcm which the mrx can handle without issues.

Well if you are looking in that price range the Oppo 103 at $499 is a fantastic blu-ray, flac, streaming device. I'm considering upgrading my 93 to a 103, assuming I can get a decent price for my 93 to offset the cost of a new 103.

Thanks for the answer, but it is too bad for the MRX... and not similar to my ANTHEM processor.

I wouldn't be in a rush to upgrade. The 103 is having issues with source direct mode not being purely "source direct". If you check the 103 owners thread, many users are waiting/hoping for a firmware fix from Oppo.

Thanks...I haven't checked the 103 thread, but I'm sure I'll head over there before making any final decision. Thanks for the heads up.

I just got the oppo 103 after Xmas..plays great with the Mrx..picture and sound are top notch!.. Definitely a great investment.

Source direct mode just bypasses its internal video processer..you would not want to do that!.. The only very slight issue right now is HDMI one ..the sharpness needs a +1 boost for a accurate picture..its not a major issue and oppo is sending firmware update..I love my 103.. My second best investment behind the Mrx!

I second that.....

There is always Roku or Apple TV for $99 if you just want to stream loseless audio.

Now you can stream HBO go on Apple TV

I've been doing that lately and it's not bad. Can't wait until Apple TV carries HBO Go as an "app/channel" later this year.

I just reran ARC on my system after changing subs from a SVD PB12 to a Seaton SubM and moving the LR channels forward 1ft. I got some pretty graphs but the sound was shreaky and there was no bass, I looked at speaker confiq and ARC had jacked up all the speaker levels upto between +9db to +11db and dropped the sub level to -11db. Anyone have any idea why it would have done that. I am re-running ARC now. Suppose it comes up with same ridiculous levels will it affect the sound curves if I drop the levels down to where they should be?

ARC did that because your sub is WAY TOO loud.

OK, so if I rerun ARC with the sub turned down, and then turn the sub gain back up to my taste afterwards does that affect the performance of the other speakers?

Try giving the ARC result a good week of listening before boosting the sub. Changing just the sub level will break the ARC result. If you still need more bass I would suggest raising room gain then calculating and upload.

It will not effect the "performance" of the other speakers. They are independent of the sub. The goal is to get the MRX sub level some where between -3 and +3. To do that start by setting the sub gain to 25% of it's max and run ARC. Then tweak the sub gain up or down a little at a time until the MRX sub level is between -3 and +3. Then you can increase the MRX sub level as you like to add more bass. Remember the sub gain knob is not a volume knob even if it's labled volume. It's a gain control and should not be up too high. Your sub volume level is the MRX sub level.

changing the sub level on the sub or on the anthem will break arc?

Does the -3db to +3db target hold true for all the speakers? Can you explain the difference between gain level and volume level?

So I just ran an ARC measurement, calculation and upload on my MRX700. I'm wondering if someone could have a look at my details and share their thoughts? I'm not overly clear of what the objective is or what I'm looking for. Any help would be appreciated.

Level Calibration:
Front Left +8 dB
Center +9
Front Right +7
Surround Right +11
Surround Left +11
Movie Sub -11
Music Sub -11

i got similar results, its doesn't seem good to me because the gain levels are so high. when you crank the volume it will sound very screechy. im going to try the advice given above and report back tomorrow

Tell me what you think of the LS50s, I have a pair of Rogers LS3/5a's that have yet to be bettered for mids and highs (in my humble opinion). The KEFs should sound great!

When he said changing the sub level on the sub will break ARC he meant that it will unbalance the system. ARC like Audyssey and other room correction systems create a balance between the sub and other speakers it EQs. In purest terms it could be thought of as breaking the system balance. IMO go with what sounds best to you. If you like the sub a bit louder do what you like. I do agree that you should give it some time with the sub set as ARC set it because you may just be use to over the top bass due to sitting in a bass peak that is now lowered by ARC. But in the end if you still aren't happy set the sub as you like because it's your system and you are the one who has to be happy and there's no sense listening if you aren't enjoying it. But give it a try where ARC set it for a week or two and see if your brain and ears adjust.

Gain will adjust the input signal and setting the input signal to high will cause distortion and/or clipping of the input signal. Gain needs to be adjusted to a reasonable level but not so high that you distort the signal. While gain works with the input signal volume adjust the output signal and how much power the also thought.

The -3 to +3 in an ideal situation is where you want all speakers but you cannot control the other speakers gain like you can the sub because the other speakers don't have a gain control you can adjust on the amps like the sub does. The other speakers will have their levels and determined by how far they are from the mic and the reference level used by the receiver when it does it's measurements. In it's simplest terms gain controls the input signal and volume controls the output signal.
Edited by Legairre - 3/9/13 at 8:13am