Music in the Round #52

In my last column, in November 2011, I mentioned that preamplifier-processors are generally at a price disadvantage in comparison to the same manufacturer's A/V receivers. The economies of scale almost ensure this. Typically, to design a pre-pro, a manufacturer uses one of its AVR models as a platform; the result is most distinguished from its parent AVR by its lack of power amplifiers.

Anthem is different. The company has long enjoyed success as a manufacturer of high-end pre-pros, and only recently has introduced its first range of AVRs, whose technology and philosophy are derived from Anthem's pre-pros (footnote 1). Not so surprisingly, in view of market demands, Anthem's MRX line of receivers is much less expensive than the Anthem or Anthem Statement pre-pros. A significant portion of this must be due to the fact that they're made in China rather than in North America like their pre-pros. Anthem's current top-model AVR is the MRX 700 ($1999).

Unpacking the 35.4-lb MRX 700, I was encouraged. It was more solid and rigid than I'd expected from the price and its front panel, though busy with controls, seems more businesslike than that of a typical AVR. The controls are clearly and usefully labeled. At top left is a large navigation compass, at top right a volume control of similar size. Below the compass are buttons for Info, Setup, Menu, and Presets Scan, and below the volume knob is an identical array for Dolby Volume, Channels, Audio, and Mute. Between these groups is a row of eight source-selection buttons. At bottom left are four jacks (Phones, USB, composite Video, and L-Audio-R), and at bottom right are four more buttons: Display, Zone, Zone 2 power, and Main power. While the front panel seems the very model of modern organization, the remote control was less intuitive in its organization; it took me a couple weeks to master it. Unfortunately, the backlight control button is clustered with others of similar size and shape, which makes it hard to find in the dark. A second, simpler remote is provided use with Zone 2.

The MRX 700's rear panel has the requisite multiplicity of connections; with Canadian practicality, Anthem provides full-page illustrations of it and the front panel in the manual. That made setup easy, and was helpful as I changed connections along the way. I hooked up the MRX 700 with HDMI cables to my cable box and high-definition disc players, and with coax for digital input from the players. I used six Belkin Silver Series RCA cables to connect the outputs of my Oppo BDP-83SE universal Blu-ray player, and a set of Kubala-Sosna Anticipation RCAs to the inputs of my Bryston 9B-STT power amplifier. The MRX 700 has no balanced inputs or outputs.

After power-up, I dove into the setup menus, whose graphics and red-and-black color scheme suggest a brochure from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and overlay the ongoing video display. Audio signals, too, remain audible during menu access; I could immediately hear the effects of changing the audio mode. After assigning and naming inputs, I was able to assign different default processing modes for each audio format. I also set up bass and speaker management from experience (and tape measure), and spent a week or two using no room correction, to get a handle on the MRX 700's inherent sound quality. However, the outputs of my subwoofer and satellite speakers didn't smoothly integrate, so I reset the front speakers to Large.

The overall sound was very impressive in both two channels and surround, with the timbres of voices and instruments quite natural. The MRX 700's fairly good spectral balance allowed for the influence of room modes in the bass. I also switched briefly to the MRX 700's own amplifiers, and, as you might expect with my all-Paradigm speaker system (Paradigm and Anthem share the same corporate parent), there was sufficient oomph, and the balance was little different from those with the Bryston 9B-SST—another Canadian product, eh? The Bryston had the stronger grip on the bass and, despite the room modes, was a bit cleaner through the low and midbass. I suspect that the differences might have been even smaller with Anthem Room Correction (ARC), the company's room-correction software (included), engaged, but I didn't get around to trying it with the Anthem's own amps.

The MRX 700 comes with a complete ARC toolkit: software, calibrated microphone and cable, and tripod mike stand. It's nearly the same version of ARC as is used in the Anthem Statement D2v processor: the MRX receivers have slightly less DSP power, and correction is limited to below 5kHz (the D2v can correct up to 20kHz). I've used ARC with the Statement D2v processor and, more recently, in its PBK incarnation, the bass EQ software for the Paradigm Sub-15 subwoofer, so I'm nearly as familiar with ARC as with Audyssey. ARC runs on a laptop and connects to the AVR via a USB or serial port, while Audyssey's connection is determined by the particular device it's installed in and can be run with or without wires. ARC can handle up to 10 mike positions; while Audyssey MultEQ Pro can handle up to 32 positions, less sophistication versions of the software handle three, six, or eight mike positions.

Used as fully automated procedures, ARC and Audyssey are equally easy to use, but ARC's Manual mode is friendlier than MultEQ Pro's, as it doesn't require a "key," doesn't ask for details of system setup (though this can be ignored in MultEQ Pro), and makes saving and retrieving settings a bit simpler. In addition, all ARC-equipped devices can store two sets of EQ corrections, one each for Movies and for Music—but, of course, you can repurpose them. On the other hand, MultEQ Pro permits the hands-on editing of individual target curves, albeit only within Ò3dB. With ARC you can adjust the room gain (a small mid-bass boost that preserves the warmth caused by the acoustics of the typical listening room) and dictate how high in frequency the EQ is applied. The latter is particularly attractive to the many who believe that the correction of room modes should be limited to frequencies below the Schroeder Frequency, and that a system's high-frequency performance should be determined by speaker choice and placement and the user's taste.

I ran ARC with the same nine mike positions I usually use. I chose a 2kHz upper limit for EQ to go along with the 3.9dB of room gain detected by ARC. The results were a definite improvement in the extreme bass—the subwoofer plot was smooth and extended—while the wider frequency-response swings in the main channels were restricted to the region below the crossover frequencies, which ARC put at 60Hz for the three Paradigm Studio/60s in the front, and at 80Hz for the two Studio/20s in the rear. Perhaps because the low end was cleaned up, or perhaps because I know that these speakers have sounded better, I became increasingly critical of a slight nasality in male voices, as well as a lack of presence in flutes, cymbals, and upper violin strings.

The ARC graphs told me why: All of the main channels suffered from a 2–3dB trough from just below 1kHz to 6kHz. ARC corrected this up to about 2kHz, which resulted in an even more sharply defined depression above that point. So I extended the ARC correction to 5kHz (the MRX's default setting) but cut the room gain to 2dB and increased the subwoofer's upper cutoff to 120Hz. VoilÖ! This sounded, and measured, pretty close to ideal, with the frequency response of every main channel within Ò2dB, from above its crossover up to about 20kHz. The Paradigm Sub-15 measured nearly flat down to 15Hz, and the XTZ measurement system revealed that ARC had virtually erased a large mode at 31.5Hz, as well as several smaller ones. Only the rear speakers still had a small modal bump at around 150Hz, though this was now 8dB lower than without ARC. I could sit back and just play the music.

With everything I tried, in stereo or multichannel, I found it hard to find fault with the MRX 700. Voices were distinctive and rounded, with fricatives clearly defined. The low and midbass were tight and extended, as one might expect, but also packed a good wallop when that was called for. However, the real payoff was the overall integration of the sound, both harmonically and spatially.

I have lived with this combination of speakers and room for many years, and it has never sounded better than with the Anthem MRX 700. That's not to say that other pre-pros haven't been as satisfying, but there were differences. The Integra DHC-80.2 seemed a bit more open, but the slightly warmer-sounding Anthem wasn't lacking in transparency. If anything, the MRX 700's reproduction of inner voices was more subtle. In terms of soundstage depth and the seamlessness of the illusion of surround sound, the MRX 700 was excellent, and shared with the eminent Classé SSP-800 the ability to re-create eerily distinct lateral voices without smearing.

Although it is not multichannel, Internet radio streaming was more reliable and sounded cleaner through the Anthem MRX 700 than through the Arcam, Marantz, and Integra pre-pros I had to hand. In particular, RCO Live, the streaming service of Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, would cut out every so often with those models; the Anthem never did. Moreover, the imposition of AnthemLogic-Music, a proprietary algorithm that expands the signal to up to 6.1 channels, opened up the soundstage of these lossy compressed streams without affecting the tonal balance or frontal imaging. The reasons for the success of AnthemLogic-Music may be that it doesn't add a center channel, and that its use of the surround channels is very subtle. Whatever the factors, with the MRX 700 I've been enjoying music via the Internet more than ever.

The MRX 700 is a fully competitive preamplifier-processor that lacks only the XLR outputs commonly found at this price although the inclusion of an AVR's power amps makes for added value. However, the MRX 700 ($1999) is so similar to Anthem's MRX 500 ($1649) and MRX 300 ($1099) that a single user's manual serves for all three. The differences include the power output (respectively, 90W vs 75W vs 60W into 8 ohms, five channels driven) and a few features. Only the 700 includes HD radio and iTunes tagging, and the 300 lacks a USB input for flash drive or hard disk, and Internet radio via Ethernet. The MRX 700 also has a toroidal power transformer instead of the E-I cores in the 500 and 300. Remarkably, all three models share all other specs and features, including ARC. It might be safe to extrapolate from my conclusions about the MRX 700 and consider one of the less expensive models to use as a pre-pro or AVR, assuming its features and power output suit your needs. Bravo.



Footnote 1: Anthem Electronics Inc., 205 Annagem Blvd., Mississauga, Ontario L5T 2V1, Canada. Tel: (905) 564-1994. Fax: (905) 696-9479. Web: www.anthemav.com.

COMMENTS
jhamill1's picture

I am very familiar with the mics shipped with the Anthem AVRs and pre/pros. Their decision to provide a serial number specific file with each kit to offset measurement differences is genius. I have been told that a major issue with other EQ mics, such as Audyssey, is that they actually lack the ability to accurately measure below 100 Hz, where most of the "magic" happens. Have you tested the micropohones for ARC and Audyssey for this type of result?

Kal Rubinson's picture

I have not but you are correct in pointing out that the mics provided for Audyssey are batch-calibrated.  (The better mics that come with Audyssey's Pro kits are individually calibrated.)

I vaguely recall that someone tested a few and reported (was it on AVS?) that they matched within a couple of dB in the critical bass region.  So, although the bass is most critical, it is major nodes that need correction and those should be detectable with a random mic.  For example,  Meridian's MRC bases its corrections entirely on decay times in the bass and works just fine with a RS SLM.  

Kal

Cygnus72's picture

Hi Kal

 

   I am currently looking to build a multi channel system for my 40th birthday.

My main priorities are multi channel and two channel music. Would you consider this receiver a option for my needs? Or do u I think I would be better suited with a pre/pro, what can you recommend?

  Current pre/pros on my short list are a new Integra,Rotel,NAD or used AVM 50.

 

    Cygnus72

Kal Rubinson's picture

I don't think you can buy a prepro+amp combination for the price of this that will compete with it.  As long as your listening situation and speakers are suitable for the built-in amps, this is a super choice.

Only if you need more power and your budget will permit, you might consider going to separates. 

Kal

Doctor Fine's picture

The following is just my opinion and offered up merely as part of the quest to get multi channel to give the same kinds of thrills that two channel provides.  I hope it will not come across as pedantic or argumentative or snotty.  I mean well.  Here goes.

So how bad does this new receiver choke up when you engage its subwoofer crossover and make the dsp chip stress out?  I have owned and sold top brand receivers in the two thousand bucks range and they all blurred the separation and tonal clarity something awful once you ran the speakers SMALL and made the onboard computer re-process five or nine channels simultaneously.

So much so I have sworn off all small speaker recomendations entirely.  There are any number of affordable great sounding mostly full range speakers out there that are compact enough not to be eyesores... and the surround sound becomes something thrilling and pure once their companion $2000 receiver does more of the basics and less of the complex.

To me personally, the jump in quality from dolby AC3 to lossless high bitrate Dolby HD was like the difference from Mpeg to SACD.  Not subtle.  And so I am thrilled that the latest generation of affordable receivers can handle decoding the new clearer format.  And i do not want to then degrade the improvement by asking a cheap chip to try its hand at re-converting the whole mess to add crossovers.  It makes it all sound so much WORSE.

Perhaps if your arguement is that all you can put in the room is micro monitors and a sub I will understand your plight.  But I am not in favor of racing to the bottom.  I am in favor of understanding where the big gains are being left on the table...

On the other hand I do not notice the soundfield and clarity go to pot when using top drawer pre-pros. Specifically last time I had my hands on them Lexicon and Meridian didn't seem to choke up but their pricing is well above what anyone on a budget could ever consider affordable. It seems ironic to me that price no object systems can work OK with teeny little speakers however their owners are more likely to have full rangers and a no holds barred approach as money is not a factor.  I love irony. 

My conclusion has so far been that I suspect it is sort of like asking one of todays entry level computers to play a 1080p YouTube video.  Ain't gonna happen.   Too many stutters...  And a $2000 receiver just ain't gonna do multiple dsp chores that well either.

What I am saying is that the main things I want to know about a receiver is its choke factor, as in it it god awful or merely tacky.  As I dismiss most dsp as irrelevant anyway (oh boy-it does cathedral and stadium too-wow)  I mostly concentrate on how well it is laid out (1.4?  Balanced outs? connectivity?) and if a receiver what kind of power does it make ALL channels driven simultaneously.  Oh and does it have nice tone and good soundstage clarity just like two channel needs...

I don't know why I am the only one hearing these problems.  All you have to  do is test this stuff with truly full range speakers properly set up for good sound.  Direct will then knock you out with its beauty.  And processed will make you want to throw up.

Again, I know this is a blunt and radical comment.  But if this stuff is to mean anything to the consumer we all have to focus on what moves the game forward and serve up systems that have the same sort of life in them that our old two channel rigs have.

OK I will shut up now.  Had to get that off my chest, sorry.

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