Anthem & Marantz

andrew82

Hey guys,

I recently moved into a new house and have some cash leftover, so I thought-what the hell-might as well turn it into a listening room/man-cave. My plan is to throw a tv I have down there, but what I'd really like to do is have a great l-r setup along with a center channel for movies/music hybrid.

This project was also motivated by the fact that I've come across a number of local deals recently. I was able to pick up a brand new Parasound A23 well below retail which I plan to use to power the fronts-I'm going to audition at local dealers this week. Looking to get some towers in the $2000 range; dealer selection in the area is leading me towards Revel, Dynaudio, Paradigm, and PSB. Think I'll probably have to pay full retail on the speaks if I go new; still mulling that over.

Heres's my question: I'm looking for a good AVR to act as a pre for the fronts and an amp for the center, I checked online and there's used a Marantz SR5010 at $577 (retail is $899) which seems like a great piece for the price. Alternatively, I could go with a store demo Anthem MRX-510 which is going for $960 (retail is $1600). I'm curious what you guys think. Not really looking to spend more than I have too, but either is well within reach. My point being that, if then Anthem isn't head and shoulders above the Marantz in terms of longevity and quality, than I'd be more than happy win the latter.

No rush on this project, really going to be a piecemeal type of deal. I'm sitting pretty with my RTI setup the forum helped me with last year; its in the living room.

EndersShadow

Couple guys here have heard both @scubalab is the only one I can think of off the top of my head.

It's a question of which autocalibration you like. Audyssey or ARC.

I kinda prefer ARC over the XT32 in my Denon. I feel it added a bit more to the music somehow than the XT32. I'm not able to really quantified it but that's how I felt.

mikeyb128

I've heard both and felt the anthem was more "lively" for movies. Both are great. I own a marantz pre, but in your case I would lean towards the anthem, spend the extra cash, and enjoy. Those anthems are reaaal nice, they have a slight edge over marantz In that price range.

rpf65

The Marantz has the newest deciding formats. The Anthem is closer to the Marantz xxx8 series.

polkfarmboy

I would go for an integra 80.3 if your not planning on sticking speakers in the ceiling or an older marantz 8801. Get a nice amp and some electrostats and you have a system that will sound amazing for HT.

scubalab

I had an Anthem MRX-500 (now in EndersShadow's loft system) and loved it. I'm now running a Marantz AV-7702 pre in my HT. I'm in a temporary setup that is way less than ideal so I'll reserve comparison on the SQ for later. I can say that build quality of the Anthem was FAR better than the Marantz, but setup and calibration of the Marantz was much more user friendly (basically idiot-proof). The ARC with the Anthem was very nice and did a fantastic job. Even came with a REAL mic stand versus a couple pieces of cheap cardboard that came with the Marantz. Additionally, it seems that I really have to push the volume on the Marantz to get similar listening levels, but it's very good when opened up. I should have the HT back to it's final setup in a few weeks. I'll chime in on the SQ at that time. At this point, I'd probably recommend the Anthem, and honestly, if you're only using it as a Pre, the 310 is basically the same as the 510, so you may be able to save a little there.

mrbiron

So, are you aiming at 3.0 system? At that point, scrap the center (ghost center as some have called it), and just get a nice 2 channel pre. You can still at a sub with a pre.

Details man...details.

andrew82

Good stuff. Going to check out the Anthem tomorrow morning to give it a whirl. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

@EndersShadow I'll try and compare a Marantz with XT32 with the ARC system tomorrow morning, if I get the chance.

@polkfarmboy, the Integra sounds amazing, and there's a local deal I've found that has it at $1000 off, but I'm not looking to throw so much at electronics right now. I only have the A23 for external amplification, and am not looking to ante up for a three channel amp just yet.

@mrbiron yes, I am looking at a 3.0 system. I've thought about scrapping the center altogether, and may do just that; although, I do enjoy the center in my RTI setup and believe it really does add something. Even if I did do away with the center in this instance, I would still want to go with the receiver, only for the savings and less hassle. As for details, the speaks may be the new Revel Concertas f35/6, Paradigm 85f, etc.. Something in that class of speaker. Room is 12x20, low ceilings.

@scubalab I'd be interested in the SQ comparison whenever you rotate the 500 back into your lineup. Seems like the Anthem, of the two, is definitely the way to go then. I'll ask about the 310 when I go to the dealer's.

EndersShadow

andrew82 wrote: »

@scubalab I'd be interested in the SQ comparison whenever you rotate the 500 back into your lineup. Seems like the Anthem, of the two, is definitely the way to go then. I'll ask about the 310 when I go to the dealer's.

His MRX-500 is now in my setup so he cant do a direct compare anymore however he did have the MRX-500 for quite some time so I'm sure his memory is good enough to give you a decent idea as to its sound

scubalab

Yup... what Dan (@EndersShadow) said. Well... with the exception of my memory being any good that is.

But I should get a better idea of what the Marantz is fully capable of when I get the theater set up properly again.