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Anthem AVM90 AV Processor Review

Rate This AV Processor:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 7 3.3%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 15 7.1%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 99 46.7%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 91 42.9%

  • Total voters
    212
I've never ever experienced that the fan has turned on in my AVM70, even if it's got a shelf right above the top vents.

View attachment 377451
Good to know, and good of you to share this photo so others can see your configuration and know your fan isn't coming into play with a shelf of this type.
 
Slightly off topic but the AVM70 8K is currently on sale at audio advice for 3,200
That's a good price. I feel like Anthem puts a bunch of emphasis on the 8K passthrough but they don't really offer any video processing modes which is odd because I know they used to offer this. However, I'm glad they are focusing more on pure good quality sound so I'll make that sacrifice for flashy features every single time.
 
Good to know, and good of you to share this photo so others can see your configuration and know your fan isn't coming into play with a shelf of this type.
The fan is triggered by temperature, and likely speed controlled such that it might have been on occasionally without being noticed. It really is not of no concerned for those working properly.
 
That's a good price. I feel like Anthem puts a bunch of emphasis on the 8K passthrough but they don't really offer any video processing modes which is odd because I know they used to offer this. However, I'm glad they are focusing more on pure good quality sound so I'll make that sacrifice for flashy features every single time.
I had D+M units before that had tons of video conversion/upscaling settings, fun to play with none worth using so I always turned those things off to let the units run cooler. So, I may be self serving, but I admit I actually hope they will continue to focus on audio performance and ignore video features that can be taken care of by the TV monitors and other video devices.
 
That's a good price. I feel like Anthem puts a bunch of emphasis on the 8K passthrough but they don't really offer any video processing modes which is odd because I know they used to offer this. However, I'm glad they are focusing more on pure good quality sound so I'll make that sacrifice for flashy features every single time.
Maybe because its a tick box item that offers nothing in reality. 4k monitors are brighter than 8k and have media , so why would you buy an 8k monitor and need 8k pass though?
 
Maybe because its a tick box item that offers nothing in reality. 4k monitors are brighter than 8k and have media , so why would you buy an 8k monitor and need 8k pass though?
Most 8K units have upscaling and new features. If you get the right 8K unit it can be very bright 4,000 NITS. HDMI 2.1 is the future for sure supporting higher bandwidth in general and getting all those cables, connections, etc when 8K devices are available you're not out rebuying stuff. I tend to stay on the bleeding edge when it comes to Televisions and they are both extremely bright.
 
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If upscale is the first feature you mention then that rather provides my point. I don’t understand what you’re rebuying All the media is 4k and not likely to change due to streaming and bandwidth. Physical media is dead and does not support 8k.
CIS is meant to represent the bleed edge and had far less 8k TVs than last year. Most companies have just managed to supply working hdmi 2.1 and maybe some day soon all devices with support 48kbps.
So paying extra for 8k is not really getting future proof more a redundant feature
 
If upscale is the first feature you mention then that rather provides my point. I don’t understand what you’re rebuying All the media is 4k and not likely to change due to streaming and bandwidth. Physical media is dead and does not support 8k.
CIS is meant to represent the bleed edge and had far less 8k TVs than last year. Most companies have just managed to supply working hdmi 2.1 and maybe some day soon all devices with support 48kbps.
So paying extra for 8k is not really getting future proof more a redundant feature

I did that for the 4K at the time and by the time 4K contents, and most TV became available, my AV8801's 4K became obsolete. This time around I went with 8K again (Anthem) for a different reason, but I assume it would be the same, that by the time 8K contents became popular, the Anthem's 8K would became obsolete or at least semi obsolete. At least this time I did it for a different reason so I won't be disappointed lol.. Other than that, I also think chasing this cutting edge thing as soon as it became available is silly, it is better to wait. But lots of people (including me:() don't learn, other examples: Beta vs VHS, 8mm, then Hi9 mm tape recorders/camcorders, the silly MQA capable dacs etc.etc.......
 
If upscale is the first feature you mention then that rather provides my point. I don’t understand what you’re rebuying All the media is 4k and not likely to change due to streaming and bandwidth. Physical media is dead and does not support 8k.
CIS is meant to represent the bleed edge and had far less 8k TVs than last year. Most companies have just managed to supply working hdmi 2.1 and maybe some day soon all devices with support 48kbps.
So paying extra for 8k is not really getting future proof more a redundant feature
You buy 8K because companies are investing in 8K now and it will continue down that path. There isn't a ton more R&D going into 4K as they know everyone is focused on 8K or will be in the near future so it makes sense for companies to spend on developing in those areas including HDMI 2.1 support. That's why you see all of the big AV brands supporting HDMI 2.1 and that will be all you can get in the near future. However, I agree on passthrough that's all I need until I get some much better sources years down the road that will come.
 
I revised my vote from great to fine for only one reason and one reason only. No Hifi component should have a fan in it, although it doesn't turn on and I can't hear anything when it does, the fact that there is a fan in the AVM 90 is quite annoying to think another solution could not have been put into place in honor of quietness in general. I can say the unit sounds amazing though.
 
If upscale is the first feature you mention then that rather provides my point. I don’t understand what you’re rebuying All the media is 4k and not likely to change due to streaming and bandwidth. Physical media is dead and does not support 8k.
CIS is meant to represent the bleed edge and had far less 8k TVs than last year. Most companies have just managed to supply working hdmi 2.1 and maybe some day soon all devices with support 48kbps.
So paying extra for 8k is not really getting future proof more a redundant feature
Physical media is not dead fortunately but probably on the way out!
 
Hello esteemed audio aficionados, I posted this in the Marantz thread as well but has anyone compared the built quality between the Marantz AV10 and the Anthem AVM90?

If one is just using weight and size the Marantz would win at
37lbs
1720897967495.png
 
Hello esteemed audio aficionados, I posted this in the Marantz thread as well but has anyone compared the built quality between the Marantz AV10 and the Anthem AVM90?

If one is just using weight and size the Marantz would win at
37lbs
1720897967495.png
I typically seek the best sound I can find when buying audio equipment as that is always the intended purpose for me.
 
Regarding build quality, the Marantz AV10 wins hands down: it s built like a tank: and has no fan
But after testing both in my HT, I kept the Anthem AVM90
 
Regarding build quality, the Marantz AV10 wins hands down: it s built like a tank: and has no fan
But after testing both in my HT, I kept the Anthem AVM90
Even when you refer to the build quality the internals are very important to me when it comes to build quality. The Anthem runs a 6 layer PCB board and the internal are great, the box is ok but the internals once again are important to me DAC's included I think the Marantz runs an ESS 9018, not sure. Great sound isn't a mystery when you look at the internal investments a company makes on these units. VRU, PCB and other components low noise high precision stuff. I think perhaps Marantz invest too much in the carbon fiber and video processing therefore they can't do what it takes to squeeze out the sound quality you get from Anthem.
 
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Regarding build quality, the Marantz AV10 wins hands down: it s built like a tank: and has no fan
But after testing both in my HT, I kept the Anthem AVM90
Interested to know why!
The Marantz has so many additional features and tested slightly better than the Anthem per Amir review.
 
Interested to know why!
The Marantz has so many additional features and tested slightly better than the Anthem per Amir review.
Everyone will have their own reasons, some think one has better sound quality, others may simply like the fact that Anthem uses a better DAC IC (I am one of those, but only to a point..) and some may even believe that ARC G is superior to any other RC systems. To me, the AV10 is a clear winner based on value, as you pointed out, it has many additional features so for those who valued some of those features, it would a no brainer for them.
 
Everyone will have their own reasons, some think one has better sound quality, others may simply like the fact that Anthem uses a better DAC IC (I am one of those, but only to a point..) and some may even believe that ARC G is superior to any other RC systems. To me, the AV10 is a clear winner based on value, as you pointed out, it has many additional features so for those who valued some of those features, it would a no brainer for them.
The only thing I have against the Marantz is that Dirac must be purchased separately! At that price point it should be included.
 
The only thing I have against the Marantz is that Dirac must be purchased separately! At that price point it should be included.
To me, even if they included all the license and list it for $800 more, it is still a value king versus the Anthem. The reason they can offer the higher value is that they have volume on their side. It is a reasonable guess that many more AV10's are sold everyday than the AVM90s. Also, even just Audyssey with the $20, or $200 app will perform better than ARCG based on measurements, even Gene and Matthew are happy with Audyssey with the $200 app.

Anthem has its super loyal fans though, and their including the RC software, with the very well built mic and mic stand, is a good attraction, and again, I really appreciate that they didn't mind spending more on the DAC and ADC ICs, I don't care that those better ICs won't result in audibly better SQ, I just feel like knowing those ICs have better SINAD lol...

If the AVM100 would ever come with Dirac Live bass control or even if offered as a paid upgrade like Masimo did, I would probably prefer it and be willing to give up some of the nice features in the Marantz that I do miss.
 
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