Help with Sound Processor needed

**kamenoff** · 12-04-2011, 12:28 AM

Guys, I am on the way to replace my Yamaha Z7 which I use as a preamp. I have narrowed my options to Anthem's D2v and ADA's Cinema Mach IV. Any thoughts or guys who had chnace to audition both? The rest of my gear is Anthem P5 power amp and Paradigm spekers (Siganture).
Thanks for the help.

**MDRiggs** · 12-04-2011, 11:21 AM

I'm partial to the Anthem, in part because of the ARC, which is excellent. (Suggest using it only below about 500 Hz, though, 1 kHz at the outside; you can't really do effective room EQ at higher frequencies.) The video processing is also very good.

**AVJeff** · 12-04-2011, 03:36 PM

Have you looked at the Onkyo PR-SC5508 or the Integra DHC-80.3? More bang for the buck than the others I think. I also think the makers or ARC and Audyssey would have something to say about being able to EQ above 500. The first one you mention has no HDMI switching so not all that useful in a modern HT setup.

For me room correction, HDMI switching, and ISF video controls are a must. The ones I mentioned have all that.

**ev666il** · 12-05-2011, 10:05 AM

What would your budget be, anyway?

**kamenoff** · 12-05-2011, 03:04 PM

No more than $ 10,000

**AVJeff** · 12-05-2011, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by kamenoff

No more than $ 10,000

Then I would go with one of the Anthems for sure. Either the D2v or the AVM 50v. Not sure what the difference is between the two though.

**vläd** · 12-05-2011, 03:50 PM

Doesn't the Integra 80.3 have both Audyessy and ARC?

**AVJeff** · 12-05-2011, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by vläd

Doesn't the Integra 80.3 have both Audyessy and ARC?

No ARC is Anthems own system. (Anthem Room Correction)

**vläd** · 12-05-2011, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by audioholicjeff

No ARC is Anthems own system. (Anthem Room Correction)

Ah! I thought you were referring to the Audio Return Channel over HDMI cable.

**MDRiggs** · 12-05-2011, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by audioholicjeff

Have you looked at the Onkyo PR-SC5508 or the Integra DHC-80.3? More bang for the buck than the others I think. I also think the makers or ARC and Audyssey would have something to say about being able to EQ above 500.

If the designers of the Anthem were to be completely candid, I think they would say that Anthem Room Correction can operate to as high a frequency as it can for marketing reasons. They are well aware of the problems associated with trying to do HF room correction; the real benefits are at the low end. That said, if you have speakers with frequency-response problems of their own, running a system like ARC or Audyssey to higher frequencies may help. But if you have good speakers (like the OP's), HF EQ will likely make things worse rather than better. For anyone interested in learning more about all this stuff, I highly recommend Floyd Toole's book Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms. The designers of the Anthem processors worked with Toole years ago at the National Research Council in Canada.

**Hi Resolution** · 12-05-2011, 11:03 PM

Source and full review of the new Cary 12...Click Here

"While there are other processors worth a look in this price range, my experience with the Cinema 12 leads me to believe that you're going to have to spend a great deal more than its $4,995 price tag to get better performance. Even then, I'm not convinced there would be enough upside to justify the higher price. I've heard the same thing from other reviewers about other Cary products, as well. All that said, if you have the budget, then the $6,900 Arcam FMJ AV888 is probably worth a look. Even higher up on the price spectrum is the Anthem Statement D2V, which retails for $7,500 and has been well received by the audiophile community. If these prices are making your chest tighten up a bit, there's also the Marantz AV7005, which can be had for a wallet friendly $1,500 and is a capable performer."

Truth be known I spent over $15,000 on my last processor and the Marantz AV7005 that I just played with this weekend just blew me away...maybe as good....maybe.

**ev666il** · 12-06-2011, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by kamenoff

No more than $ 10,000

What is your source? Are you going to go analog or digital (or you haven't decided yet)? Are there any specific features that you need or would really want to have?

**kamenoff** · 12-07-2011, 02:46 PM

I'll use the SSP for HT mainly. My wife watches a lot of TV (SD). Video scaling seems not to be very important. A few guys recommended Rhapsody Mach IV as the new winner...Any thoughts/ comparison between them. I would like to hear from guys who has audition both. I also noticed that people who own Classe SSP-800 are extremely happy. So basically I am stuck to this three and since I cannot audition any of them I'll rely on your help, guys.
Thank you for the feedback