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Anthem STR pre-amp
- Thread starter Thomas savage
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Neric
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I've had an Anthem STR Preamp for about a year now.
I used to have a Rotel preamp but I wanted something better so the STR was the first step into completely redoing my 2.1 channel system.
When I picked up the STR the sales guy said I could get better speakers now (I was using SVS Ultra Bookshelves)...
I already had a Rotel DT-6000 which I really like. I still own a lot of CDs.
Queue to last summer, I listened to a bunch of speakers 2-3x the price of my SVS Ultra Bookshelves. Those sounded more detailed... But I hate the idea of upgrading over and over.... So I found and listened to the persona line, and I don't like then - made pop music sound bad (good for orchestra - I listen to both)
Found a store selling a huge line of 2 channel stuff.. So I listened to Wilson Bookshelf, then the Audio Vector R1. Noticed the AV R3 next to it, came back later and listened to it. Went and listened to B&W and some other speakers... but kept returning to the AV R3.
So Last fall I ordered the AV R3 Arrete... got them, and my 200w/channel Rotel amp wasn't cutting it any more - queue discovering Buckeye amps here. And Buckeye is the same internal output as the 6k and 10k Bel Canto.... (And Buckeye is cheaper then the Rotel amp!) so I ordered one and now I'm in music nirvana.
So yes the Anthem STR can handle much better speakers... My room isn't great. I use ARC on an AVM 60 in my theater. ARC is even more noticeable here. Turn it off the bass goes out of control.
I decided my SVS Pro 1000 wasn't right for the AVs... so I auditioned Rel and SVS 4000... now there's an SVS 4000 in the corner....
Upgrade complete right
I used to have a Rotel preamp but I wanted something better so the STR was the first step into completely redoing my 2.1 channel system.
When I picked up the STR the sales guy said I could get better speakers now (I was using SVS Ultra Bookshelves)...
I already had a Rotel DT-6000 which I really like. I still own a lot of CDs.
Queue to last summer, I listened to a bunch of speakers 2-3x the price of my SVS Ultra Bookshelves. Those sounded more detailed... But I hate the idea of upgrading over and over.... So I found and listened to the persona line, and I don't like then - made pop music sound bad (good for orchestra - I listen to both)
Found a store selling a huge line of 2 channel stuff.. So I listened to Wilson Bookshelf, then the Audio Vector R1. Noticed the AV R3 next to it, came back later and listened to it. Went and listened to B&W and some other speakers... but kept returning to the AV R3.
So Last fall I ordered the AV R3 Arrete... got them, and my 200w/channel Rotel amp wasn't cutting it any more - queue discovering Buckeye amps here. And Buckeye is the same internal output as the 6k and 10k Bel Canto.... (And Buckeye is cheaper then the Rotel amp!) so I ordered one and now I'm in music nirvana.
So yes the Anthem STR can handle much better speakers... My room isn't great. I use ARC on an AVM 60 in my theater. ARC is even more noticeable here. Turn it off the bass goes out of control.
I decided my SVS Pro 1000 wasn't right for the AVs... so I auditioned Rel and SVS 4000... now there's an SVS 4000 in the corner....
Upgrade complete right
radix
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How does the ARC report look for corrected FR?I decided my SVS Pro 1000 wasn't right for the AVs... so I auditioned Rel and SVS 4000... now there's an SVS 4000 in the corner....
Upgrade complete right
You might find that a second (perhaps even smaller) sub somewhere else in the room can help with the bass response more. It is all very geometry and materials dependent. Though if you're happy with it as is, that's all that really matters.
Neric
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This is FL
Sub:
That's the corrected Curve, I'm very happy with it. I can play orchestral music and the timpinis sound right. Fire up AG's Problem and get nice tight bass.
I emailed back and forth with Ed over at SVS, he said I don't need 2 subs. I went for the ultra level to get the resolution it can do. I ABed with the 1000 Pro with my speakers turned off. It was neat how much more detail the 4000 had on the bass when playing orchestra music.
Last edited:
Hi folks
My STR arrives this week, and I plan on using it in HTBypass with my Marantz AV8805 and a shared power amp for L/R.
Has anyone figured out an off-the-shelf 12v trigger for this kind of set up?
I need the STR to trigger the PA when used for stereo, and the Marantz to trigger it when used for HT.
Any solutions I've found are janky at best, with some combination of motorcycle indicator signal cables and diodes to be hacked together.
I'm in no way electrically inclined, and wouldn't know a diode from a capacitor in the ground.
Surely there exists some kind of commercial 12v matrix type device for this purpose? For an extra challenge, I'm in Europe
Or do people just run the STR always on, even for HT passthrough, and let it manage the power amp trigger?
My STR arrives this week, and I plan on using it in HTBypass with my Marantz AV8805 and a shared power amp for L/R.
Has anyone figured out an off-the-shelf 12v trigger for this kind of set up?
I need the STR to trigger the PA when used for stereo, and the Marantz to trigger it when used for HT.
Any solutions I've found are janky at best, with some combination of motorcycle indicator signal cables and diodes to be hacked together.
I'm in no way electrically inclined, and wouldn't know a diode from a capacitor in the ground.
Surely there exists some kind of commercial 12v matrix type device for this purpose? For an extra challenge, I'm in Europe
Or do people just run the STR always on, even for HT passthrough, and let it manage the power amp trigger?
Would you not turn on the STR-Pre to then turn on the power Amp ..
Page 9 of the manual - item 10
Or am I missing something?
HTH
Page 9 of the manual - item 10
Or am I missing something?
HTH
JustJones
Major Contributor
Does the Marantz AV8805 have stereo mode? Trying to understand what the Anthem Pre is for since you're using the same amplifiers.
Yes, this would be an option as per my last paragraph. However, the STR supports passthrough in standby. There's no need for it to be on when using the AV processor to watch a movie, hence my query.
It does, and sounds good in pure direct. I feel that I have taken the Marantz a far as it will go in stereo.
I want to try the STR with its ARC to assess if it's any better / different in my room compared to Audessey.
It's also the first step towards building a separate 2 channel music system, so ultimately I may be using a different PA and speakers.
But for the medium term I'll be using both in parallel, hence my question.
It's not a big deal to have the STR powered up for movies in any case
JustJones
Major Contributor
There's this device which reviewed here a few weeks ago.
audiosciencereview.com
BobWire XLR1 XLR and RCA Switcher Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the BobWire XLR1 XLR switcher including support for conversion from RCA. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $270. As these "problem solver" boxes go, this is very attractive packaging. The big deal though is high level of flexibility and...
audiosciencereview.com
There's this device which reviewed here a few weeks ago.
BobWire XLR1 XLR and RCA Switcher Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the BobWire XLR1 XLR switcher including support for conversion from RCA. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $270. As these "problem solver" boxes go, this is very attractive packaging. The big deal though is high level of flexibility and...
Interesting, thanks. Though likely overkill for my needs. I'd get a lot of hours electricity to run the STR during movies for the cost of purchasing, shipping and importing that gadget!
I was thinking something more of the ilk of these, though none are quite what I'm after.
More environmental destruction from me it is then!
radix
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Personally, I'd try to keep it simple and just daisy chain the trigger through them all. I think the Marantz has 2x trigger out. Run that to the STR trigger in, then the STR trigger out to the amp.
I suspect if you just turn on the STR it will turn on the amp, and the marantz will be off. If you turn on the marantz, it should turn on everything. Not positive about that, but clearly if you always turn on the Marantz the whole chain will turn on, even if you're only going to use it in stereo mode.
JustJones
Major Contributor
The STR pre doesn't have a trigger in.
Except STR doesn't appear to have a trigger in, from reviewing the manual anyway
I could build an automation to detect Marantz power on, or more likely just edit my IR script to power them both up at the same time.
Way overthinking this, for sure. I'll likely end up just running everything powered up. I was just going someone had come across a 12v repeater, multiplier or matrix type device that would do the trick.
radix
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Except STR doesn't appear to have a trigger in, from reviewing the manual anyway
I could build an automation to detect Marantz power on, or more likely just edit my IR script to power them both up at the same time.
Way overthinking this, for sure. I'll likely end up just running everything powered up. I was just going someone had come across a 12v repeater, multiplier or matrix type device that would do the trick.
That’s right, it has IR in. I misremembered the inputs. It does support automation via IP.
According to the Manuel page 13 HT bypass engages automatically even when in standby..
radix
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To expand on this, from the manual it sounds like the STR will hard-wire a given RCA input to an RCA output or XLR input to XLR output via a relay. So, it's always connected unless you turn on the STR and select a different input. It works for L+R+Sub1+Sub2.
I've never used this mode, but it looks like it should simply pass the signal from your Marantz to the PA without any alteration at all. It's a physical wire.
radix
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In regards to having the PA turn on for either the STR or Marantz, you can use a diode combiner for the 12V triggers.
Thanks, but that the kind of janky solution I referred to in my original query. I wouldn't trust myself not to blow stuff up.
JustJones
Major Contributor
I wonder if a 3.5mm mono y splitter would work? Single male end into amp and trigger wire from AVR and STR into female ends. If both were accidently turned on at same time would it cause a problem?
I might reach out to Anthem and see what their idea of a solution might be. As stated, their bumpf does speak to HT Bypass, sharing speakers etc. etc. so it cant be an uncommon request, surely?
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