Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Having read this review and the Mark Levinson review above, I'm having my doubts about class-D. It's been around for a while (not sure, did 47's Gain Card first employ this?) and certainly has its benefits in getting a lot of power out of a small package. Ideal for subwoofers I think, but what about the rest of the system? Do you think this technology will further develop into something truly great, or will class A/AB rule the roost?

Also a minor typo: a price discrepancy: "costs $3499 each, $7498/pair" the specs section has what appears to be the  correct price though.

Thanks for spotting the price typo. I have corrected the text.

On class-D amplifiers, I feel that their promise has mostly yet to be fulfilled. But see my Devialet review in the January 2013 issue (due to hit newsstands next week) for one successful approach.

John Atkinson

Editor, Stereophile'

"On class-D amplifiers, I feel that their promise has mostly yet to be fulfilled."

Tell that to the people on DIYaudio that have been building their own for a few years now.

It is interesting to follow class D technology to see where its going. Wyred4sound kind of tried to kick it off, for the masses, but still a bit (niet). I was/is/are a t-amp fan, and had high hopes, but, alas, I'm back to class A/B and quite happy with it (very good progress in that area for the record). The more I learn about how class-D works the more I appreciate how hard it is to get it right. As we all know, great for subwoofer amps. You can dial up several kilowatts without a blink. Class-D with feedback seem to be the best. Seems a bit complicated for me.

"Ever notice how the effect of burn-in is always positive?"

Actually, leaving aside the burn-in question in general, which I find varies from insignifican to significant depending upon the gear, I do not always find it positive.  Although it is normally the case, assuming noticeable burn-in, I have encountered several pieces that went from being engaging to too polite.  I'm just sayin'....

I was not stating that my experience is that "burn in" is always positive but that the vast majority of reports say so.  In fact, the general description of "burn in" is that the device seems to settle in to its ideal performance disposition and that it is unfair to judge it before then.  If so, how does it know to stop?

That is one reason why I am convinced that the vast majority of these reports are due to observer adaptation.   This is not to say that nothing ever changes nor that careful listening cannot reveal greater insights over time.  I suspect that your observations are a combination of some small effects and good observation.

"That is one reason why I am convinced that the vast majority of these reports are due to observer adaptation.  "

Hardly anyone wants to believe that it's only their ears getting used to the sound and not the product "burning in" instead but that is the case 99.99% of the time.

If you don't use your ears, is there another way to experience an an audio product?

Well, experience can encompass an interaction via any of our senses but, yes, our ears are the primary interface.  However, our conscious experience via our ears (or any other sense) is always filtered by brain mechanisms that are hard-wired and/or functions of experience and mood.  While one cannot turn these off, a good listener should have a decent awareness of how they determine what we perceive.

Its true from what i can see from the measurements that this Class D amp is not ready for prime-time. I'm suprised Anthem would release such a product for they can easily duplicate the measurements in this review. The very poor SNR and high ultra-sonics at 400kHz is inexcusable from a company like Anthem as i own their D2v prepro which is an excellent product IMHO.

This is not the first review to find problems with the M-1 btw. For KR to place it on a No-Recommended list is a very big deal in my view.

Thank you kindly for your review of the Anthem M1 monoblocks. I have been looking at Class D amps for a tri-amplified system using the DEQX as a base for xover and dsp (not the digital preamp feature). I look to use the M1 for my bass drivers moving to tube for mid/trebile in 3 way amplification mode (3 sets of monoblock).

I respond to this review as I am looking at this Anthem product reviewed with near perfect technicial measurements. I have not seen any review with these less poor result.

Based on some of your measurements, I am now going to go audition a pair rather than purchase outright on a trial peroid. I appreciate your efforts in this review

Steve.