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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: 98 46.4%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 91 43.1%

  • Total voters
    211
Peng, I looked a the input assignment on the Denon. It appears it can't do what I am requesting. If you choose HDMI2 for video, you can't choose a different HDMI input for audio -- only analog or coax.
Sorry I was using my Sony and Oppo back then that has 2 HDMI outputs. If your device has just one ouput then you can’t do it. I am not sure if Anthem’s can do what you want either but can find out for you later.
 
Sorry I was using my Sony and Oppo back then that has 2 HDMI outputs. If your device has just one ouput then you can’t do it. I am not sure if Anthem’s can do what you want either but can find out for you later.
Thanks.
 
Peng, I looked a the input assignment on the Denon. It appears it can't do what I am requesting. If you choose HDMI2 for video, you can't choose a different HDMI input for audio -- only analog or coax.

With Anthem's, it appears to be the same, virtual input works similar to D+M's input assign in terms of features in general. So, what you wish to do is not possible. I doubt any AVP has such a flexible feature.

You can see that while you can only select the same HDMI input, or coax, optical, analog etc., for audio but not another/different HDMI input.

Can’t you use a splitter so video can go directly to the TV? That would be a slight inconvenience.



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Correct, with Anthem you can't have video on say HDMI 2 and audio on a different HDMI input. AFAIK, this isn't possible with any AVR/AVP and not a valid implementation per HDMI specs (the HDMI cable needs to carry both a video and an audio signal, even if the video is a "blank" image.)
 
Correct, with Anthem you can't have video on say HDMI 2 and audio on a different HDMI input. AFAIK, this isn't possible with any AVR/AVP and not a valid implementation per HDMI specs (the HDMI cable needs to carry both a video and an audio signal, even if the video is a "blank" image.)
Thanks for this. Its a shame you can't do both.
 
I don’t know about all, but I know you can do that with D+M’s too using the input assigned me
I was intrigued by reading on the Anthem website about its virtual inputs. Am I correct in understanding that the Anthem allows you to select say HDMI1 for video and HDM2 as the audio input for the HDMI1 video input. Where I would find this useful is on the Eversolo DMPA-6 which outputs multichannel audio through its HDMI output, but has no HDMI video output. If my understanding of the Anthem is correct, I could say use use an application on my mac which is connected to my television and choose to hear the audio from the Eversolo -- that way I can use the Eversolo without losing the image on the TV. Is my understanding correct? Can any other receiver or processor do this?
This is what I found when I was setting up a separate input for my Blue Ray to separate out HDMI from Audio.
Anthem products use virtual inputs to allow users to create up to 30 custom inputs without tying any physical input to another:
  • Input names: Users can name each input.
  • Video inputs: Users can specify which HDMI input to use.
  • Audio inputs: Users can specify which HDMI, digital, analog, Bluetooth, or streaming input to use.
  • Speaker profiles: Users can specify which speaker profile to use.
  • Multiple inputs for the same source device: Users can create multiple inputs for the same source device. For example, a Blu-ray input configured for 7.1.4-channels and another Blu-ray input configured for 2-channels.

Here are some examples of what users can do with virtual inputs:
  • Create an input using HDMI 1 for video and HDMI for audio
  • Create a second input using HDMI 1 for video and RCA for audio
  • Create two separate inputs using the same audio and video inputs but different speaker profiles
Users can find more details on virtual inputs in the Anthem AV manual.


  • In this menu, you configure inputs and listening mode presets. The ...
    Anthem Manual. ... In this menu, you configure inputs and listening mode presets. The unit comes programmed from the factory with ...

    Anthem Manual

  • AVM 90/70 MRX 1140/740/540 Quick Start Guide - Anthem AV
    Virtual Inputs: Anthem products use “Virtual Inputs.” What this means is that no physical input is tied to any input that is. made...

 
I don't follow Anthem much. I like the AVM90 but will wait. When does the AVM100 come out? 2 years?
 
I don't follow Anthem much
Me either, I have followed Amir's measured results and also wondered how well their proprietary DRC software worked in
comparison to Audyssey and Dirac? Problem being once you locked into their gear your stuck there. ???
I really wish Marantz would do a update of the affordable AV770x prepro line and make one with some stellar measurements that I can afford. LOL
 
I would like to see Anthem introduce an AVM 100 without all the bells and whistles: call it an ‘Audiophile version’
It should be fully balanced. They should leave out Bluetooth, all streaming features, give up on ‘ROON coming soon’ (it is not), the headphone output, zone 2, and such: just a high quality basic box. I still like Anthem Room Correction: it is effective and easy to use. Until then I am keeping my AVM 90.
 
I would like to see Anthem introduce an AVM 100 without all the bells and whistles: call it an ‘Audiophile version’
It should be fully balanced. They should leave out Bluetooth, all streaming features, give up on ‘ROON coming soon’ (it is not), the headphone output, zone 2, and such: just a high quality basic box. I still like Anthem Room Correction: it is effective and easy to use. Until then I am keeping my AVM 90.

"Fully balance" especially for an AV preamp processor, would cost extra that the majority of potential buyers may not be willing to pay though. Ideally, sure, I agree if they come up with an Audiophile version for "Audiophile" who are willing to pay that extra for something that most likely will not result in audibly better "sound".

Other than that, common mode noise, and the doubling of the output voltage are already there from the balanced outputs of the AVM90. I would actually prefer Anthem to include more onscreen info display, balanced inputs (only for convenience), and improve on their phase optimization/adjustments and expand the very nice quick measurement feature without increasing the price (would be nice obviously, but personally I wouldn't mind paying a little more for such).

The fact is, if "fully balance" means differential/balance from input to output, the only scientifically true benefit is the cancellation of even harmonics, that, for the AVM90 is already at well below -100 dB, probably around -107 dB (total) by the look of the FFT graph. Even for audiophiles who believe in further lowering or eliminate the even harmonics completely, may not like it if they realize that they may actually find the 2nd, 4th harmonics pleasing to their ears.
 
This is what I found when I was setting up a separate input for my Blue Ray to separate out HDMI from Audio.
Anthem products use virtual inputs to allow users to create up to 30 custom inputs without tying any physical input to another:
  • Input names: Users can name each input.
  • Video inputs: Users can specify which HDMI input to use.
  • Audio inputs: Users can specify which HDMI, digital, analog, Bluetooth, or streaming input to use.
  • Speaker profiles: Users can specify which speaker profile to use.
  • Multiple inputs for the same source device: Users can create multiple inputs for the same source device. For example, a Blu-ray input configured for 7.1.4-channels and another Blu-ray input configured for 2-channels.
Here are some examples of what users can do with virtual inputs:
  • Create an input using HDMI 1 for video and HDMI for audio
  • Create a second input using HDMI 1 for video and RCA for audio
  • Create two separate inputs using the same audio and video inputs but different speaker profiles
Users can find more details on virtual inputs in the Anthem AV manual.


  • In this menu, you configure inputs and listening mode presets. The ...
    Anthem Manual. ... In this menu, you configure inputs and listening mode presets. The unit comes programmed from the factory with ...

    Anthem Manual

  • AVM 90/70 MRX 1140/740/540 Quick Start Guide - Anthem AV
    Virtual Inputs: Anthem products use “Virtual Inputs.” What this means is that no physical input is tied to any input that is. made...
Great summary, but you might have missed a couple of his follow up posts on his original question, and the answer is in post#344, that it could not be done with Anthem's very nice virtual inputs either.
 
I would like to see Anthem introduce an AVM 100 without all the bells and whistles: call it an ‘Audiophile version’
It should be fully balanced. They should leave out Bluetooth, all streaming features, give up on ‘ROON coming soon’ (it is not), the headphone output, zone 2, and such: just a high quality basic box. I still like Anthem Room Correction: it is effective and easy to use. Until then I am keeping my AVM 90.
Emotiva RMC-1+ G4 8k processors will be Emotiva Differential Reference grade fully balanced topology.
 
Where did he say increase the price?
He didn't. But going up in model numbers (from 90 to 100) usually means higher price.... A simpler version of the AVM90 should be cheaper and have a lower model number. It's already here, and called AVM70.... :)

Removing Bluetooth, streaming and multiple zones makes no sense to me. Streaming and zones are mostly software features, and removing them is not going to improve the audio performance. The Bluetooth hardware sits on the same PCB as Wi-Fi, Ethernet and the CPU controlling the display (and possibly other things). Removing Bluetooth from this PCB may also mean no Wi-Fi, since they share a lot of components like the antennas. The headphone output is just a connector and dedicated op-amp to drive it. Removing that is not going to improve anything either I think.

I have the AVM70, and I'm very happy with it. That being said - I would like to have HDMI and analog stereo audio connections on the front panel, which most other AVRs have. The Marantz I had before also had channel level adjust on each input, the AVM70 does not. I also wish it could stream Dolby Atmos directly from Tidal or Apple.
 
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No, it does not have level adjust for each channel (L/R/C etc..) at the inputs.

The input level adjust affects all channels together for the chosen input.
 
No, it does not have level adjust for each channel (L/R/C etc..) at the inputs.

The input level adjust affects all channels together for the chosen input.
Oh wow so neither Anthem has what the denon x8500h has which is the ability to adjust any speaker up or down anytime you want?
 
You can’t remix the source either. When setting up and EQ the speakers, you then don’t really want to change the settings?
 
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