Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide - Page 594

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

Something else I hadn't noticed before is that the front panel includes LED indicator lights for DTS, Dolby Digital, and Dolby TrueHD.

But not for DTS-HD MA.

Now the DTS-HD MA logo is silk screened onto the front panel, and I'm sure the Front Panel Display and On-Screen Display will show when you are feeding a DTS-HD MA bitstream to the unit. But for folks who think LED indicator lights are the reason for buying a product like this, well, they'll just have to do without one light...

--Bob

Originally Posted by thestewman

The LEDs are OK but would it be even nicer if when you press the volume buttons or the select button to scroll through the settings it visually displayed on the screen exactly what HD audio mode you are in.

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

As best we know, and I think this is likely to be accurate, an upgraded D2 will differ from a new D2v in two, and only two, regards:

1) The front panel is not replaced as part of the upgrade, so you don't get the silk screened logos for the new features such as Dolby Volume, TrueHD, and DTS-HD MA. I'm not sure what they are planning to do as regards the LED indicators on the front panel. The D2v has the same number as the D2, but the PLIIx indicator is no longer shown, others are dropped down one spot, and the top indicator becomes the LED for Dolby TrueHD.

2) Parts that are *NOT* replaced as part of the upgrade are covered only by the remaining part of your original D2 warranty. Parts that ARE replaced get a new warranty, from the upgrade date, of the same length as the warranty for the same type of part in the original unit -- i.e., 3 years for audio components and 2 years for video components.

Now current production (i.e., new) D2 units have had various rolling hardware changes since the unit first shipped. For example, the power supply has been changed at least once. So any older parts which are not replaced as part of the upgrade will continue to be older parts compared to what ships in a new D2v. In your case, your D2 is new enough that none of that would apply to you. For folks with the oldest D2 units, I suspect Anthem will make some accommodation if you want to refresh any of the other parts while the unit is in the shop. These changes relate to changes in availability of the various components Anthem used in manufacture as opposed to feature or performance changes, so there is no pressing need to do this.
--Bob

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

As best we know, and I think this is likely to be accurate, an upgraded D2 will differ from a new D2v in two, and only two, regards:

1) The front panel is not replaced as part of the upgrade, so you don't get the silk screened logos for the new features such as Dolby Volume, TrueHD, and DTS-HD MA. I'm not sure what they are planning to do as regards the LED indicators on the front panel. The D2v has the same number as the D2, but the PLIIx indicator is no longer shown, others are dropped down one spot, and the top indicator becomes the LED for Dolby TrueHD.

2) Parts that are *NOT* replaced as part of the upgrade are covered only by the remaining part of your original D2 warranty. Parts that ARE replaced get a new warranty, from the upgrade date, of the same length as the warranty for the same type of part in the original unit -- i.e., 3 years for audio components and 2 years for video components.

Now current production (i.e., new) D2 units have had various rolling hardware changes since the unit first shipped. For example, the power supply has been changed at least once. So any older parts which are not replaced as part of the upgrade will continue to be older parts compared to what ships in a new D2v. In your case, your D2 is new enough that none of that would apply to you. For folks with the oldest D2 units, I suspect Anthem will make some accommodation if you want to refresh any of the other parts while the unit is in the shop. These changes relate to changes in availability of the various components Anthem used in manufacture as opposed to feature or performance changes, so there is no pressing need to do this.
--Bob

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

I have a 5.1 setup so I can't give you 7.1 advice based on experience, but keep in mind that you might want to just use PLIIx (Movie or Music) without also turning on the THX post processing.

Since adding ARC I've switched to never using THX (except for the separate "re-equalization" function needed for some movies).
--Bob

Originally Posted by bluemark81

Bob:

Thanks, will give it a try, but what are your reasons in suggesting that?

Originally Posted by izzihd

Anyone know? Thanks

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

It's all just personal preference. There's no patently "right" answer to this. In my 5.1 system I find that the surround sound field is so close to perfection already with ARC that I don't like the additional fiddling that THX adds. Prior to ARC I did use THX for movies (but not for music or normal TV programs).

THX re-equalization for movies (and only movies) is a special case -- separately controllable whether or not the rest of the THX stuff is turned on. It removes the modest treble bias built into movie sound tracks for theaters (countering the dulling effect of all those people in the movie house). But some movies on disc and on TV already have been re-equalized for home theater use, so you don't need it all the time. You should decide on a movie by movie basis. Personally, I always default to re-equalization OFF and then turn it on if the movie is sounding a bit too "bright" to me. [Whether or not THX is turned ON, you can separately toggle re-equalization by pressing the THX button twice and then using the Up or Down arrow keys.]

NOTE: The modern treble bias in movie sound tracks is much more subtle than the "Academy Equalization" that was applied to old movies -- primarily back in the black and white era. Academy Equalization added much more treble bias to counter the dulling effects of having the speakers behind the rather thick movie screens used back then. With THX turned off, you can use Mono Academy mode when playing old movies to remove the Academy Equalization. Try it! You'll be surprised how much more natural old movies will sound. But again, some old movies on disc or TV have ALREADY had the Academy Equalization removed. If you use Mono Academy with them they will sound dull -- the effect is pretty obvious. So again you need to decide on a movie by movie basis. By playing with Mono Academy vs. normal, unaltered Mono for old movies you can train your ear to hear the more subtle variation of THX re-equalization on/off for modern movies.

NOTE 2: I had an exchange with poster FILM MIXER a while back on this, and his recommendation was to assume Blu-Ray movies did not need re-equalization. In my experience that seems to be sound (ahem) advice.

Now for 7.1 you need to generate the rear speakers from your 5.1 input. You can use PLIIx for that, or you can add one of the THX modes (which work on top of PLIIx). You can also use the DD EX or DTS NEO modes but they are for 6.1 output. Nevertheless you might like how they sound even though both rear speakers are being sent the same content. And again, you can separately decide whether or not to layer THX on top of them as well.

See Sections 4.8.8 and 4.8.9 in the Manual for how the THX post processing builds on top of the "basic" surround modes which raise 5.1 input to 6.1 or 7.1 output (and also the similar chart for how surround modes work with 2.0 content), and see Section 4.8.6 for a description of what THX post processing does beyond the "basic" processing of the surround mode itself. You'll note that the THX post processing (other than re-equalization) is built around various tricks for enhancing the surround sound field. Again, if you are an ARC user I recommend you experiment with NOT using THX rather than just assuming that adding THX must always be better.
--Bob

Originally Posted by gostan

Nice to see the spec sheet for the new D2v. Thanks Bob & Hank!

I am wondering if the TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signalling) is something brand new, or is it simply something that has either been in existence in the present D2 and is now being promoted by Anthem as jitter over HDMI has become more of a concern for many.

Originally Posted by bluemark81

Bob:

Thanks. Very descriptive information as usual. I do have ARC. If I turn re-eq off, does the Anthem remember this setting, or does it have to be turned off each time?

I've tried turning the re-eq off and there is a definite improvement. It seems to lift a veil from the speakers.

Originally Posted by jayray

Bob,
I agree that the differences b/t 1.2.14 and 1.2.13 are subtle. My measurement from 1.2.14 corrected a few problems with 1.2.13, ie. the room gain for music and the very high cutoff for my fronts. The resultant graphs showed a smoother line at the top frequencies and LFE had same punch as 1.2.13. Opening many other measurments in 1.2.14 showed this latest version handles high freq noticeably better and almost identical low freq correction. Maybe they're getting closer

A couple of questions regarding the AVM 50V upgrade.

1. I don't quite understand the 24/192 in the AVM50V. How does this differ from what is in the D2?
2. I have lipsync problems, some from bad filmmixing and some from, I suspect HDMI issues. Does the upgrade help with this?
3. Are power supplies changed.
John

Originally Posted by bluemark81

How can I check to see what version of ARC I have?

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

Open ARC in Advanced mode and choose "About Anthem Room Correction" from the Help menu. The current "official" ARC version is V1.2.5 -- which should be paired with firmware version V1.33 on the Anthem itself.
--Bob

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

There are also no unexpected additions. I.e., there's no HDMI DSD input available for SACD enthusiasts (they have to convert to HDMI LPCM in the player as is the case with the current Anthems).
--Bob

Originally Posted by bluemark81

Bob:

I meant, is there a way to tell from the Anthem? Thanks

Originally Posted by cecaa850

Anthem tech suppory is closed for the weekend:
I just finished my first firmware update.....ever.... in an attempt to run ARC software. The firmware seemed to load without a hitch (1.3). The first (and each subsequent time) time I tried to run ARC I get an error message, "ERROR, No calibration files found in application directory that match (code + 0x02)" . When exiting I get a "Measurement procedure failed. Failed to find microphone calibration for unit serial number (my unit's number)".
Have I done something wrong or do you think I have corrupt software?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Roger Dressler

Both of these amps are single-ended inputs only. No? Maybe I looked up the wrong specs.

So how would you connect the D2's balanced outputs to these amps? Electrically, a simple Y adapter would work, except that the Anthem has standard 29dB gain, while the Emotiva has nonstandard 32dB gain, so you have a 3dB offset to deal with. ARC would no doubt see this and adjust it out, but probably better to use amps with matched gain.

Originally Posted by PaulF

Bob, I mistakenly thought the D2 could already do this. Is this a limitation of the DACs used or could it be added with a future firmware? I was hoping the D2v and Oppo BDP-83 would make a good combination, the BDP-83 will support DSD streaming over HDMI.

I am glad to see the addition of Dolby Volume, even if not initially. The only other feature I would like to see is an Ethernet port -- wonder if this might be another future hardware upgrade.

I am tossing up between pulling the trigger or buying a Yamaha Z7 until Anthem makes to clear what the future holds.

Originally Posted by ensmarcum

Well I am going to make my own interconnects and you can use balanced on one end and rca at the other. I am asking the question about using both outputs because of the db difference and wondering how that will effect the sound? Will arc compensate for this difference?

Originally Posted by ensmarcum

Well I am going to make my own interconnects and you can use balanced on one end and rca at the other. I am asking the question about using both outputs because of the db difference and wondering how that will effect the sound? Will arc compensate for this difference?

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

ARC will see a very odd speaker with a 6dB difference between the low and high end presenting also a sharp transition between them. It can't fix it by volume trim since both outputs will get the same trim. So it will have to devote room correction resources to fixing this. I doubt you will get results that are worth the trouble.
--Bob

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

This pair of files will be found on your original ARC install CD in the folder that also has the Setup program for installing the ARC application on your Windows computer. The files are easy to identify as their filename is numbers -- a combination of the serial number of your Anthem and the serial number of your ARC microphone.

Normally these files are copied to the correct location in Windows' Program Files directory when you install ARC, and they survive each subsequent install of new ARC software versions. However, in preparation for the release of ARC for the AVM-50, Anthem changed the name of the folder where it installs ARC. So you need to get those two files into the correct folder.

On your main disk drive, go to the Program Files folder, find the folder inside it where Anthem has installed the ARC application and copy that pair of files into the same place. [Read the text file of installation notes that comes in the ARC V1.2.5 folder you download from the Anthem download page -- or on your original install CD if it comes with ARC V1.2.5. At the end of those notes are the details on the old and new folder names.]
--Bob

Originally Posted by cecaa850

I've found the 2 files with the D2 and mics SN on them in the install disc. Those particular files DID get transferred to the ARC file along with a D2 manual, a RS-232 file and an ARC exe file. Should they be somewhere's else? I also double checked the SN's on the D2 and mic against the file #'s and they are the same.
Carl