Even thou I said it seems weak, the connectors and volume knod seem/feel reliable. So I wont mind. I'm not going to bend it or slam it or step on it anyway
main point is it is a well-performer, thats enough 
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Anthem STR pre-amp
- Thread starter Thomas savage
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main point is it is a well-performer, thats enough 
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For less money (at least used) you can get a Pass Labs XP-10 line stage/pre-amplifier. I'm aware it doesn't have nearly as many features, though.Even thou I said it seems weak, the connectors and volume knod seem/feel reliable. So I wont mind. I'm not going to bend it or slam it or step on it anyway
Tbh, I bought Anthem STR preamp because it has good measured specs WITH DSP and the many kinds of inputs. If I didnt need room correction and inputs, I'll be happy with anything such as Topping DX3 Pro/DX7 Pro, miniDSP products, ect... or any cheaper choices
the more I need, the less choices I have
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I've been considering the integrated. But I've been lusting over the McIntosh brand for so long. I hope one day to get a C2700. Though to be honest the C2800 will probably be out by the time I get around to getting one.
I believe that no difference can be heard at all between Anthem STR integrated and separated, even when compare to some Mcintosh gears (thats why I join ASR). Any well-performers should sound identical when volume match.
I'll be getting Mcintosh Mc462 in a month time, mostly because it is equal in price and performance with an Anthem STR, but Mc gears have better build quality.
And who doesnt want a Mc stack? Hehe
A Mc preamp with MEN220 + Mc452/462/601/611 stack will be an endgame choice for anyone
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so lucky! i think it'll take me a few years before my mac stack is complete.i agree with your assessment that the integrated will sound the same as standalone pieces. unless you have some crazy power hungry speakers like wilson audio specialties sasha's, or maggies, you will probably be very safe with just the integratedI believe that no difference can be heard at all between Anthem STR integrated and separated, even when compare to some Mcintosh gears (thats why I join ASR). Any well-performers should sound identical when volume match.
I'll be getting Mcintosh Mc462 in a month time, mostly because it is equal in price and performance with an Anthem STR, but Mc gears have better build quality.
And who doesnt want a Mc stack? Hehe
A Mc preamp with MEN220 + Mc452/462/601/611 stack will be an endgame choice for anyone
Yeah, if speakers are easy to drive, the Anthem STR integrated is more than enough. It wont ever be a bad choice.
Im going for Mc462 because my Salon2s, thou not hard to drive, do love some quality power to play at my desired SPL.
If you're after the separates, go for them
they have all kinds of connections you'll ever need, and twice the power, you'll also be freed from the "what if" question, and that much of quality watts will drive anything effortlessly 
IslandMD
Member
To everyone wondering if the integrated is a better value than the separates there is one important item that Anthem left off the integrated's feature list: HT Bypass. This one omission is enough to prevent me from considering the integrated. OTOH, the STR preamp does a great job handling HT Bypass with front left, right and stereo subwoofer inputs.
Mine (STR Pre) lands here in England within the next 10 days. Can't wait to see what this thing is capable of! Will be partnered with a pair of Purifi 1ET400 monoblocks and an OPPO UDP203 as a source.
Hope it's as good as I hope it to be!
Hope it's as good as I hope it to be!
I got mine a few weeks ago and it has been fantastic. ARC is a game changer.
Be sure to update to the latest firmware before running ARC, I ran ARC before a firmware update and it caused some screwy behavior. Had to factory reset and rerun ARC again after.
Be sure to update to the latest firmware before running ARC, I ran ARC before a firmware update and it caused some screwy behavior. Had to factory reset and rerun ARC again after.
I have a friend who is a Genesis specialist and it's his set up at home that spurred me on to buy the STR Pre. What that software can do, as you've said, is just mind-blowing. I'm using a minidsp 2x4HD in front of the STR (when it finally arrives) to tame my subs before letting ARC loose on it.
Thanks for the heads-up on the firmware!
If we were to "eyeball" The SINAD from these measurements what would our estimate be?
I'd say around 100 dB or better for analog pre-amp and DAC, 90 dB or better for phono (MM).
I'd say if there is anything better, I won't be able to tell
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Congrats! Hope you enjoy the Anthem. What is in the rest of your chain?Good because mine arrives tomorrow!
Pair of Spendor A7 loudspeakers
Pair of BK XXLS400 Downfiring subwoofers (English manufacturer)
Minidsp 2x4hd for subwoofers only
Pair of March Audio 1ET400A Purifi monoblocks
OPPO UDP203 (also acting as a 2.1 downmixer and dolby digital decoder)
Innuos ZEN Mini Mk3 (doubling as a ROON Core and TIDAL Hifi source)
Nvidia SHIELD running a PLEX server with MKV files
Now TV box
Freesat box
PS4 pro
HDfury DIVA controlling all HDMI sources
Harmony Elite controlling all of the above.
Phew...i got through it...
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