Anthem MRX1140 AVR Review

[Dougey_Jones]

It is better if used as preamp/processor, but it has no preamp mode and the IMD seems a little high for my comfort also, wonder why that is... Also, despite what the AVSF fans claimed (all subjective, no to little graphs to support their claims..), ARC G is quite nice but don't deliver results as good as XT32 SubEQ HT (when apps are used). So I guess you may be right, especially when the higher price is factor in as well.

Sure 103db SINAD is better than 99db SINAD, but not in any meaningful way.

I never would’ve believed it myself, having adopted Dirac Live at release, but XT32 + third party apps like Evo are currently the best thing going unless you can afford Trinnov / Steinway Lyngdorf.

 

[ObscuredByClouds]

I am on my third Anthem product, and have had no real issues with any of them. Just in case anyone is wondering about quality/reliability of the product.

Previous:
Anthem Statement D1
Anthem MRX 720

Current:
Anthem AVM 70

 

[Hart]

Not too bad. Power could be a little higher for their flagship receiver. I am just glad to see receiver that does not look like every black box for the last 50 years. Or a readout only visible close up with a magnifying glass.

 

[billou5767]

advance paris ?

 

[hansik]

Sure 103db SINAD is better than 99db SINAD, but not in any meaningful way.

I never would’ve believed it myself, having adopted Dirac Live at release, but XT32 + third party apps like Evo are currently the best thing going unless you can afford Trinnov / Steinway Lyngdorf.

Better results with XT32+Evo than Dirac Live?

 

[lc6]

What is the idle (not standby) power consumption of this AVR?

 

[peng]

What is the idle (not standby) power consumption of this AVR?

About 70 W to 75 W would be my educated guess, based on 60 W for the AVM70.

 

[amirm]

Amir, if that is true then would you think logically speaking the same would have applied to the AVM70, that you reviewed and despite that is an AV preamp/processor with much better ESS DAC chips vs the 1140's? It is important to know because if the same applies the to the AVM70, then your measured 99 dB SINAD could have been higher if the subwoofers were enabled. The AVM90 measured about 105 dB so I wonder if it would have still done better too. Can you think of any reasons for the 10 dB difference between subwoofers enabled/disabled, that seems too strange!

I knew that bit about the sub as I was told about it in advance of the AVM90. But I am not sure of AVM70.

As to reason, I can't figure it out. Usually the performance gets worse as you insert new modules in the pipeline, e.g. sub processing, not the other way around.

 

[lc6]

About 70 W to 75 W would be my educated guess, based on 60 W for the AVM70.

Thanks. I also wonder about the max. power consumption and output. The specs say 570 W "under typical load" (whatever that means). However, based on the xformer pictures posted by @JSmith and the fact that @amirm was able to haul this (only) 33.6 lb AVR to his test loft and back (an effort much appreciated!), it sounds like this is more a max and not "typical" power consumption. Would be nice to see how the built-in "nannies" restrict total output with more than two channels driven.

 

[andrewskaterrr]

I havent read more than the first few lines but.....

NO LEGACY CONNECTIONS!!

I don't care if the rest of it is crap, if the THD is minus 50DB and it doesnt work with HDMI connections etc etc

No legacy connections - I WANT ONE!

I can't imagine cheering for the REMOVAL of options for no reason...

 

[ripmixburn]

Would love to see Anthem’s new MRX SLM reviewed. I may pick it up but shipping back and forth across the border is even less feasible financially than before.

 

[greggo1545]

Which one? Component video? FM tuner?

For people who play retro games I would’ve liked at least one composite and one component. I have a Denon 6500 and I’m glad it still has those

 

[AndreaT]

A truckload of Dollars for at best average performance. I still scratch my head: how is it possible such a poor signal attenuation at 24 KHz of 16/44.1 input? I am yet not persuaded why a group of electronic engineers cannot make a flawless AVR for this high price. Thank you Amir for this splendid test.

 

[Rick63]

A truckload of Dollars for at best average performance. I still scratch my head: how is it possible such a poor signal attenuation at 24 KHz of 16/44.1 input? I am yet not persuaded why a group of electronic engineers cannot make a flawless AVR for this high price. Thank you Amir for this splendid test.

I agree. I voted not terrible because if I were still into HT I'd expect better for that kind of money.

 

[diddley]

Thank you Amir for finally another avr review. shame that the performance is'nt SOTA.

 

[amirm]

For people who play retro games I would’ve liked at least one composite and one component. I have a Denon 6500 and I’m glad it still has those

You can get adapters to convert them to HDMI. No reason to include features that hardly anyone uses as to show more connectors.

 

[PJR918BMW]

I am on my third Anthem product, and have had no real issues with any of them. Just in case anyone is wondering about quality/reliability of the product.

Previous:
Anthem Statement D1
Anthem MRX 720

Current:
Anthem AVM 70

Yep. I've had three of them and they were bullet proof.. plus I like the red PCB's

 

[PJR918BMW]

I can't imagine cheering for the REMOVAL of options for no reason...

? Cost, possible impact on other inputs fidelity, potential (is that a pun?) grounding issues (?), addditional scaling processing requirements, cluttered rear output plate. I've probably made most of these up - but hey ho.

I'd like to think if they got rid of them and simplified things that they could spend some more time and the saved money/space on better amps/signal paths. Wont happen but can always hope

 

[Mnyb]

? Cost, possible impact on other inputs fidelity, potential (is that a pun?) grounding issues (?), addditional scaling processing requirements, cluttered rear output plate. I've probably made most of these up - but hey ho.

I'd like to think if they got rid of them and simplified things that they could spend some more time and the saved money/space on better amps/signal paths. Wont happen but can always hope

Yes we in EU want scart inputs for my 30 year old settop box the only use of compenet ive seen the last 20 years are the use of an old video camera and connecting it to something . I simply cant think of any product having these connectors anymore .
They must measure in ppm of the user base

My latest Denon removed those to ( finally ) , but added RIAA which is more useful function nowadays the vinyl revival has made atleast a couple of % of the byers potential users.
But i would not expect RIAA in this Anthem either as if your buying into this price bracket you can afford an Mikael Fidler Phonostage and be done .

But i think it's more important in a low tier Denon as the BOM budget is even tighter , there is a very low margin .

Another feature they can lose in AVR/AVP's is the Tuner who listens to over the air analog radio in your home theater ? If you are buy an old fashioned tuner , they are probably better anyway .

 

[Koeitje]

Then I remembered something the company representative had told me. That for some internal reason, if you don't enable subwoofer, it costs you 10 dB of performance. He was right:

$4199 and you get nonsense like this? I will mark it as a headless panther just because of this fact. I mean their own representative knows this issue exists, why not just fix it? Just shows they don't give a shit about their products.