Anthem MRX1140 AVR Review

[RoyRoyRoy]

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

I've been using a generic HDMI to video and audio component cable for my Nintendo Wii since 2019. No issues at all, and I think I paid $15 or something for it. They are all over the Internet.

 

[JSmith]

For people who play retro games I would’ve liked at least one composite and one component.

This is the way...

https://www.retrotink.com/

JSmith

 

[peng]

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.

They did not bother defining "typical", it is almost a useless spec imo. Maximum also needs to be define, but those who use it don't define the term either, at least I have not seen any manufacturer who use that spec define it, so also almost useless.

It is also true that since very few people can benefit from knowing such a useless spec, and even it they define it, the value of the spec is still going to be limited so in a way I don't blame them.

 

[peng]

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.

Thank you very much, to me that means the AVM70's 99 dB could have been higher if the sub outs were enabled, but I understand you are not sure about that, and being that it was 4 years ago, that is understandable. You reviewed the AVM90 less than 2 years ago, easier to remember for sure.

 

[amirm]

$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?

Likely because everyone using this product will enable the subwoofer.

 

[5150]

$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.

Who buys such an expensive HT receiver with two independent sub outs, only to run it with zero subs?

Why does ASR tolerate this kind of zero thought posting?

 

[Dougey_Jones]

Better results with XT32+Evo than Dirac Live?

In my opinion, yes. I sold my RZ50 and bought a used x3700. So, definitely put my money where my mouth is. I still use Dirac for stereo only on my MiniDSP Flex.

 

[SuicideSquid]

Thanks for this very thorough review, Amir. I always feel sticker shock when I read any of these AVR reviews. Imagine $4k+for a component comprised of multiple DAC and Amplifier channels with all those individual DACS and amps performing at a level which would earn them headless panthers if they were evaluated as standalone components in today's marketplace. But that's the world of these receivers function in, and, by that standard, the Anthem seems to be among the best of its kind.

Which stand alone DAC has SINAD of 102 dB, 107dB of dynamic range, and dead flat frequency response through the audible spectrum but received a headless panther?

 

[xanalog]

Thank you for all that you do for us, @amirm,
Cheers to the member who was willing to share.

AVRs confuse my senses a whole lot. They don't make much sense to me!
"Jack of too many trades but a master of none" << How would anyone ever need 7 HDMI inputs?
"11 pounds of sardines stuffed inside a 10 pound can" << MRX-1140 enclosure contains at least 6+ different PCBs stacked four high, and a forced-air fan in the center.

I seriously thought to give it a headless-Panther vote; that it truly deserves for its low performance-to-cost quotient!

 

[dlaloum]

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.

I think things have shifted... ARC, Audy XT32, and others have been left behind since the release of ART

The top tier is now ART and Trinnov (I am not familiar with the steinway lyngdorf system)

Within the affordable price brackets (subjective as the term affordable is) - ART is the only horse in the race... Which will make things very difficult for Anthem as people become more aware of what ART brings to the party.

 

[dlaloum]

Who buys such an expensive HT receiver with two independent sub outs, only to run it with zero subs?

Why does ASR tolerate this kind of zero thought posting?

Because some of us on here, prefer to run full range speakers and not use subs.

 

[xanalog]

Because some of us on here, prefer to run full range speakers and not use subs.

I am guessing eleven channels of co-located amplification to feed such a multi-channel speaker set-up will require at least 250 feet of heavy gauge cables.

Wouldn't using the Anthem AVM 70-8K (@$4,000USD) A/V processor with few supplemental power amplifiers be a more proper configuration?
If for no other reason than preventing a single-point-failure source, rendering the whole entertainment system unusable?

 

[amirm]

Because some of us on here, prefer to run full range speakers and not use subs.

That's not a problem. You tell it you have a sub but turn off the crossover for mains. That is how I tested it!

 

[dlaloum]

I am guessing eleven channels of co-located amplification to feed such a multi-channel speaker set-up will require at least 250 feet of heavy gauge cables.

Wouldn't using the Anthem AVM 70-8K (@$4,000USD) A/V processor with few supplemental power amplifiers be a more proper configuration?
If for no other reason than preventing a single-point-failure source, rendering the whole entertainment system unusable?

My difficult to drive Gallo's (which require high current (low speaker impedance, L/C/R) - run off external Crown XLS2500's - speaker cables are pretty standard gauge - no ultra heavy gauge needed.

The rest of my speakers, 8ohm all around, are much easier to drive and easily run off the AVR... again with standard gauge cable

The base layer are all capable down to 35Hz (centre down to 60Hz)

Yes I do have one sub - but I could retire it without feeling like I lost a lot.

(I'm not a bass head... can you tell?)

 

[jdarint]

I got my first sub maybe 2.5 years ago, never even considered it previously. Now i wonder how i ever lived without it. Admittedly, it's mostly the couch and floor vibrating during movies that I love, still makes me as giddy as a 10 year old kid with a new bike.

Ok please don't gaslight me for this question, I know we're all about the hard science here, and I fully appreciate that. But I have a more subjective question for those who've owned other AVR brands (Denon/Marantz/Yamaha etc..) and moved to Anthem. When i first started researching AVR's again a few years ago, I saw a A LOT of Anthem reviews (and comments) that claimed Anthem had a noticeably warm, realistic and lifelike (fun scientific adjectives!) sound signature that was head and shoulders above any other non-Anthem AVR. Again I know this is purely subjective, but if anyone cares to humor me, i'm curious if any ASR'r would agree with that assessment? TIA (fwiw I bought another Denon )

and thanks @amirm for another fab review, you are one awesome dude who works awfully hard for this forum, much appreciated sir.

 

[Koeitje]

Who buys such an expensive HT receiver with two independent sub outs, only to run it with zero subs?

Why does ASR tolerate this kind of zero thought posting?

Likely because everyone using this product will enable the subwoofer.

It is more about that them not even getting basic functionality working without issue. That doesn't instill much trust in me that the rest of the device will function as promised. Worse even is that they are fully aware of this bug but have not fixed it. It just shows a general lack of care.

 

[peng]

It is more about that them not even getting basic functionality working without issue. That doesn't instill much trust in me that the rest of the device will function as promised. Worse even is that they are fully aware of this bug but have not fixed it. It just shows a general lack of care.

Agreed, without knowing their rationale, it is also very concerning. I often use phantom center, ie tell it center is none, would there be a 10 dB penalty too like the sub out disable thing, if Anthem has a reason for such seemingly silliness they should tell people, even just by mentioning in the owner's manual would be acceptable. If it was not intended, then they should fix it, such as via FW update if possible. I believe 102 vs 92 dB SINAD in this case won't matter to most users under most if not all conditions but that is not the point. A relatively expensive flagship class AVR should not have such an undocumented "feature".

Edit: I guess setting other speakers to none is fine because Amir only enabled the FL, FR and the two subouts for his 2nd test and got >100 dB.

 

[EWL5]

Agreed, without knowing their rationale, it is also very concerning. I often use phantom center, ie tell it center is none, would there be a 10 dB penalty too like the sub out disable thing, if Anthem has a reason for such seemingly silliness they should tell people, even just by mentioning in the owner's manual would be acceptable. If it was not intended, then they should fix it, such as via FW update if possible. I believe 102 vs 92 dB SINAD in this case won't matter to most users under most if not all conditions but that is not the point. A relatively expensive flagship class AVR should not have such an undocumented "feature".

The slowness in fixing something like this may have something to do w/power usage. Could the SW option being "off" change the voltage assignment somehow and/or the power usage when the AVR is idle?

 

[peng]

The slowness in fixing something like this may have something to do w/power usage. Could the SW option being "off" change the voltage assignment somehow and/or the power usage when the AVR is idle?

Nothing seems to make sense, I wish they published service manuals that can be purchased, like D+M does (not always any more...), and I would be willing to buy it for $20 just to satisfactory my curiosity.

 

[Mnyb]

Wonder what happend to the AVR market this product seems decent enough until you se the price tag at least 3 time more expensive than expected for anything similar .

This product category has gotten expensive fast ?