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Anthem processors: AVM20 v. AVM30 v. D1

I am building a new system from scratch for HT and music and have liked what I've read about the Anthem processors. While I can afford to buy the D1, I also don't like paying a lot more for marginal improvements, and from what I've read, the AVM20 with upgrades is so good that upgrading buys some improvement but there isn't a lot of room to improve.

For those of you who have owned or used the Anthems, how do you evaluate the enhancements compared to the added costs, both in 2-channel and HT? What does an upgraded AVM20 used go for and how much more might I pay for the 30 or the D1? Would it be wisest to get the 20 and if I want to upgrade wait until the D1 is replaced and becomes more widely available used?

As an aside, I'm pretty set on getting a DD Velodyne as the sub while my choice in speakers is still wide open (I need to foind more time to listen to speakers).

Also, any suggestions for mating the Anthem pre's to an amplifier?

Thanks for your suggestions.
jonsher

Showing 3 responses by macdadtexas

macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
OK, I have an AVM 30 and it is AWESOME!! That said, I listened to and test drove the D1 from my dealer. With my equipment at the time, Innersound ESL 300 amp, Maggies 3.6R speakers, Velodyne DD-12 sub, Onkyo DS-1000 player, Sony 50" LCD, I didn't notice any difference, and the software is identical as far as I could tell. I got the AVM 30 instead of the D1, but I messed up.

The only difference between the 20 and 30, even according to the guys at Anthem, is the color of the display. I wish I had just gotten a used AVM20, then downloaded, gratis, the newer software.

In addition Anthem is coming out with a major hardware upgrade package for the AVM20/30 and D1 that will include IEEE1394 (firewire) input and output, and HDMI switching. The only diffence in the AVM upgrade and the D1, according to the Anthem tech's that is, will be that the D1 will have a video scaler as well. Pretty cool. If you have a video scaler already, or your DVD player does, that's not an issue though.

Great equipment and support, I am now a huge fan of Anthem.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
about $700. I have them 5, 3, and 15 months, and no problems.

Good luck.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
In the last 2 years I have had: NAD T762, used as a premap for the front end, B & K Ref 50, Rotel 1098, Parasound Halo C2 (great processor), then finally the Anthem. I am sticking with the Anthem. As I said, my dealer let me test drive the D1 and I couldn't justify the upgrade with the equipment I had at the time (funny, but I am in process of going back to the same speaker set up). That doesn't mean it's not right for you. I think they are both great, great processors, and I am now a bigger fan of Anthem than Parasound even, if that is possible. The support personnel are fantastic. They are big audio nuts themselves, and not arrogant about it. They are more excited about the upgrades coming than anyone. Great company. Go ahead, if you can afford it, buy the D1, you won't be sorry.
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