Anthem Pre 2L Opinions

dcarlson
dcarlson Posts: 1,740
edited April 2005 in 2 Channel Audio
I know Doro has one... I just want some general impressions of it. I have a chance to pick one up a short drive away and it really has my curiousity peaked.
SDA-2a, Anthem Pre-2L, Anthem Amp 1, MF A324 DAC, Rotel RCD1070

Senn HD650 Cardas, Mapletree Audio Ear+ HD2, Kimber KS1030, Bel Canto DAC2, M-Audio Transit, Laptop.
Post edited by dcarlson on
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  • tonyv1
    tonyv1 Posts: 365
    edited April 2005
    I have the Special Edition version. I've used Sovtek, Brimar, Mullard (thanks doro) and currently using Electro Harmonix 6922 tubes. It doesn't have a wimpy bass and the mid is a perfect match for my Maggies. I'm using an Anthem AMP2 (it's soulmate) as the amp. I'd only upgrade to a Sonic Frontiers Line 3. I asked Chris Johnson (ex-SF president and part connexion boss) which to upgrade to Line 2 or 3, definitely the Line 3 was his response.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2005
    It's a great pre-amp and the SF line would also be an option....while I agree on the Line 3 being THE one to own, it's expensive....and I would consider the Line2 to be the starter for that line. I think the use of 10 tubes, Line3, for the output stage/buffers is unneccesary, but I would have bought one anyways.

    The Anthem is a real bargain on the used market, and I find the connectivity and performance to be top notch. The Sovtek's are mediocre...but roll some Brimar(Tony) or Mullard and get ready for some real action.

    If my Anthem had survived Polkfest, I would have went with the SFL3 easily.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • tonyv1
    tonyv1 Posts: 365
    edited April 2005
    Lots of connections on the PRE 2L, 4 inputs, tape loop and Surround Sound bypass. Also dual outputs, IEC connector (try out variuos power cords) and a surround sound bypass button. Oh yeah, even a mono button.
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,535
    edited April 2005
    Originally posted by tonyv1
    I'd only upgrade to a Sonic Frontiers Line 3. I asked Chris Johnson (ex-SF president and part connexion boss) which to upgrade to Line 2 or 3, definitely the Line 3 was his response.

    I would agree the Line 3 is something special, but the Pre2L is excellent for the price it usually sells at (around $500 mint). I like my Pre2L enough to keep it in reserve for possible future use. Here are the only negative things I can say about my Pre2L, which is not the special edition version. The remote seems to adjust volume in 3dB increments (improved in SE version, but not a problem with manual adjusting), there's no source selection available from the remote, bass seems slightly over emphasized (may be an unfair comparison to the Line 3), no balanced inputs or outputs, no standby mode. Pluses are overall sound quality that makes music feel more lively than comparably priced solid state pre-amps, relatively simple design, four inputs, dual outputs and a home theater pass through, adjustable gain (although I don't know why anyone would want to go to 24dB gain on this under normal circumstances), headphone section uses the tubes, high quality parts used even in the non-SE version, "only" 4 tubes, runs cool, excellent build quality.

    The ten tubes in the Line 3 does make tube rolling an expensive idea.

    Edit: Looks like Tony beat me to it on some of the good things.
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  • tonyv1
    tonyv1 Posts: 365
    edited April 2005
    Emlyn, I forgot about the headphone jack good catch. I've got pics of the inside of SE version shows which parts were upgraded. Let me know if you like them.
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  • dcarlson
    dcarlson Posts: 1,740
    edited April 2005
    Great, thanks guys!

    I don't think it's the SE version.
    SDA-2a, Anthem Pre-2L, Anthem Amp 1, MF A324 DAC, Rotel RCD1070

    Senn HD650 Cardas, Mapletree Audio Ear+ HD2, Kimber KS1030, Bel Canto DAC2, M-Audio Transit, Laptop.
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  • dcarlson
    dcarlson Posts: 1,740
    edited April 2005
    So... what are the differences between the regular and SE versions?
    SDA-2a, Anthem Pre-2L, Anthem Amp 1, MF A324 DAC, Rotel RCD1070

    Senn HD650 Cardas, Mapletree Audio Ear+ HD2, Kimber KS1030, Bel Canto DAC2, M-Audio Transit, Laptop.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2005
    Tony will be more accurate, but off the top of my head....Kimber Kable wiring, some upgraded components and a better tube complement.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • tonyv1
    tonyv1 Posts: 365
    edited April 2005
    Going by my memory:
    upgraded caps (MultiCaps)
    upgraded resistors (Caddocks, I think)
    The caps and resistors are in the tube section

    ceramic gold pin tube sockets
    Kimber Kable AGSS wiring (from main board to output board)
    Brimar CV 5357 tubes
    Special Edition front plate
    Don't know about the volume control motor upgrade, mine has always been quiet.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2005
    I'm pretty sure it's the same motor...the original had problems, but mine was retrofitted with a real nice Alps.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • dcarlson
    dcarlson Posts: 1,740
    edited April 2005
    It's coming tomorrow. :)
    SDA-2a, Anthem Pre-2L, Anthem Amp 1, MF A324 DAC, Rotel RCD1070

    Senn HD650 Cardas, Mapletree Audio Ear+ HD2, Kimber KS1030, Bel Canto DAC2, M-Audio Transit, Laptop.
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  • dcarlson
    dcarlson Posts: 1,740
    edited April 2005
    Holy crap!

    A buddy of mine came over with a vintage Technics power amp and with the Anthem it sounded fantastic. We were both rather blown away.

    I wasn't expecting to this soon but I'm now looking for a high powered amp.
    SDA-2a, Anthem Pre-2L, Anthem Amp 1, MF A324 DAC, Rotel RCD1070

    Senn HD650 Cardas, Mapletree Audio Ear+ HD2, Kimber KS1030, Bel Canto DAC2, M-Audio Transit, Laptop.
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited April 2005
    LOL... folks scoff when they hear the name "Technics", but once upon a time... Love to see a pic if you happened to take one.

    So, you have short list yet for your new power amp?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • dcarlson
    dcarlson Posts: 1,740
    edited April 2005
    Lol. I scoffed at the Technics, but it's rated at 120Wpc RMS. I can't remember off the top of my head what the model is other than I think it was a limited edition. It has huge lit up meters on the front, totally out of the 80's, had a nice umf to it and weighed a ton.

    It turns out I found and bought a Anthem MCA-2. It should be here in a couple of days. I can't wait!
    SDA-2a, Anthem Pre-2L, Anthem Amp 1, MF A324 DAC, Rotel RCD1070

    Senn HD650 Cardas, Mapletree Audio Ear+ HD2, Kimber KS1030, Bel Canto DAC2, M-Audio Transit, Laptop.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2005
    I will wish you luck as when you get everything setup, I don't think we'll hear from you for a couple days ;)
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • dcarlson
    dcarlson Posts: 1,740
    edited April 2005
    Hehe.

    I'm getting my livingroom all setup. I've finally taken the HT equipment out to make room for a dedicated 2 channel system. Then next up is replacement tweeters for the SDA's and a couple DH Labs power cords.
    SDA-2a, Anthem Pre-2L, Anthem Amp 1, MF A324 DAC, Rotel RCD1070

    Senn HD650 Cardas, Mapletree Audio Ear+ HD2, Kimber KS1030, Bel Canto DAC2, M-Audio Transit, Laptop.
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,535
    edited April 2005
    Originally posted by tonyv1
    Emlyn, I forgot about the headphone jack good catch. I've got pics of the inside of SE version shows which parts were upgraded. Let me know if you like them.

    That would be cool. I've been meaning to put some inside pictures of some gear in the "guts and ****" thread myself.
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  • tonyv1
    tonyv1 Posts: 365
    edited April 2005
    PM me your email addy and I'll send some off tonight after work.
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  • dcarlson
    dcarlson Posts: 1,740
    edited April 2005
    Any ideas on the AMP 1?
    SDA-2a, Anthem Pre-2L, Anthem Amp 1, MF A324 DAC, Rotel RCD1070

    Senn HD650 Cardas, Mapletree Audio Ear+ HD2, Kimber KS1030, Bel Canto DAC2, M-Audio Transit, Laptop.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited April 2005
    Congrats on the new pre, Derick! Anthem is part of Paradigm, right?

    Are you still using the ST-70? I'm getting ready to replace the driver board. There's so many "upgrades" available. I need to do a lot of reading before making up my mind. So far, I'm looking at the Curcio 'upgrade' board using three 6922.

    Maurice
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  • dcarlson
    dcarlson Posts: 1,740
    edited April 2005
    Originally posted by organ
    Congrats on the new pre, Derick! Anthem is part of Paradigm, right?

    Are you still using the ST-70? I'm getting ready to replace the driver board. There's so many "upgrades" available. I need to do a lot of reading before making up my mind. So far, I'm looking at the Curcio 'upgrade' board using three 6922.

    Maurice
    Thanks Maurice, Anthem is now part of Paradigm. I'm not certain on Anthem's history but I don't think that was always the case.

    I was occasionally firing up the Dynaco but I think I may put it up for sale. I can't see myself putting some much needed money into it right now.
    SDA-2a, Anthem Pre-2L, Anthem Amp 1, MF A324 DAC, Rotel RCD1070

    Senn HD650 Cardas, Mapletree Audio Ear+ HD2, Kimber KS1030, Bel Canto DAC2, M-Audio Transit, Laptop.
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  • tonyv1
    tonyv1 Posts: 365
    edited April 2005
    Anthem was the budget line of Sonic Frontiers International. SFI also had a DIY line called Parts Connection. Chris Johnson , the ex-SFI president runs Parts Connexion . Chris has asked my questions about my Anthem preamp.
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