I'm on the Theo team. For those of us who are two channel first audiophiles, Anthem is the better choice. Marantz sound signature for two channel is warmer with rolled off highs. The Anthem is the epitome of Neutral, true to the source and the recording.
Unless you’ve actually been inside the recording studio when and where the music was recorded or you were the master engineer that helped out in the post processing of the music, you can’t really say that the sound coming from a particular system is “true to the source or recording “. Not sure how you came into that conclusion. I’ve been to a few recording sessions and have watched or either been part of so many live events and not even the Wilson Audio’s, Magicos, Dan Agostinos, Cary Audios, Mark Levinsons or the $2.2M Pivetta Opera of the Hi fi world can truly replicate the true source and recording. They all sound great. And at times, they even sound better than the true source or recording. Unfortunately statements like this are very misleading and a bit misinformed.
Marantz sound signature is warmer and rolled off high, maybe the vintage receiver you are talking about. My Marantz processor is nothing like the rolled off high, in fact it is much more extended than many other processors I have tried.
@@mrwilliamwonderYou’re comparing a 5 year old budget 2 channel receiver to current flagship SOTA AV processor, so while perhaps a valid observation, not exactly a peer to peer comparison.
Thanks for the great comparison! Marantz really knocked it out of the park with the AV10. If it gets Dirac ART, this will easily be the endgame processor under 10k!
Very good, balanced comparison. Some thoughts: 1. I've owned Anthem and Marantz processors over the years. One thing that was touched on in this video, but I can't emphasize enough from my experience, is how much more reliable the firmware/software of the Marantz is compared to Anthem. 2. Also, the Anthem manual is very thin, while the Marantz manual is much more detailed. If one does not want to rely on the forums to use their processor, I'd advice against an Anthem. 3. Also mentioned in this review - the one thing I feel Marantz could have done better on: the AV 10 is huge. Just a tad smaller in the width and depth dimensions would have simplified rack mounting it. 4. Marantz has better functionality for 2 independent displays in the same room compared to the Anthem (which just seems to act like a video splitter). For people who have a projector and a TV in the same room, and like to switch between the two, Marantz provides better support. 5. I have an Apple TV 4K (latest), and have not experienced any issues with the AV 10.
Regarding your #4, my Marantz 8805 currently switches well between Sony TV (HDMI1) and JVC Projector (HDMI2) via Control4. I assume the AV10 will work the same or better. Are you saying that somehow the Anthem won’t be able to do this? I only run 1 display at a time, never both.
AV 10 works like the older Marantz processors. IIRC, the Anthem just sends output to both at the same time (lowest common denominator signal is sent). I don't recall exactly since it's been nearly two years when I looked into this, but I recall the Anthem multi-display support is not as good as the Marantz.
My Firestick and AV10 don't play together too nice upon first powering up. Usually the Firestick will not come 'on'. I have to hit the home button after powering everything on to get the Firestick working correctly as source but then it's fine. My Pioneer Elite AVR worked perfectly fine and better with the Firestick. Oh well, I'm installing my Nvidia shield today most likely and will try out Google's new streamer as well.
I really like the format of this video. I feel it’s right in the goldilocks zone. One step at a time taking in these small cross comparisons. Little bite sized nuggets, with the friendly duo of thoughtful input. Just the two products that the shopper in this segment would be interest in. It’s very well tempered and enjoyable to digest, even as someone who as a shopper isn’t in this market segment as of yet. I love the huge overviews that Ripewave Audio does. But that chicken is a little too dry and overcooked, this chicken however, clucking perfect! Very nice guys. I really hope you can get the Pioneer Elite flagship onboard a similar cross comparison. Yamaha, emotiva, and others all the same. I hate to be a broken record on the Pioneer. It’s some fanboy nonsense, but they have some proprietary nuances that go unsung and unexplored in my experience watching reviews. What they do with phase compensation in MCACC is interesting. Even as their build quality is notably just a mass market onkyo clone. The Pioneer brand still has brand specific technologies that onkyo and integra do not. Maybe if those nuances were highlighted, they would persist into the future and remain a strong independent brand for future acquisition or spin off. Pioneer is like a nature preserve harboring rare and endangered species that maybe one day will repopulate the ecosystem of consumer choice. But only if the explorers photo document these species so that the onkyo logging company is tipped into preserving this beautiful enclave of slow and unexceptional salamanders that can hardly fend for themselves amongst these invasive apex predators. Lol
Marantz AV10 for me I’ve just recently purchased one with the matching AMP 10 wow wow wow this system is incredible in my bedroom home cinema/ gaming setup
@@boneseyyl1060 pretty much, due to a life changing car accident just over two years ago that has pretty much cost me my mobility I spend a lot of my time in bed thankfully I’m still able to work and buy all this amazing av gear
@@boneseyyl1060 He's not alone in that regard. My setup is in my bedroom because it both huge and acoustically simple. My living room is what they call "open concept" with a fireplace right where you'd want your display, and it's open to the rest of the first floor. Also, the bedroom is on the top floor which gives great access to the ceiling through the attic.
@@robertmedina3195 completely blind, and on dialysis I am disabled work is not an option large part of the problem however, I will fully admit. I am only in this position because of my own faults and wrongdoings to myself. I have no one else to blame but myself.
One item of note that is an AVM 90 differentiator as I misspoke at the 50 minute mark: Analog to sampling rate is 24-bit / 768 kHz. It’s also a differentiator from the AVM 70 which is 24-bit / 192 kHz. Thank you Dave Lawson for the catch!
I think it’s clear that Anthem focused on good internal components, DAC’s and producing great sound over some of the video processing and aesthetics on the Marantz. I don’t know about you but I tend to buy preprocessors to process good quality sound which is why I chose the Anthem. 😊
Anthem keeps making excuses and is essentially lying about Roon. Just like with DTS-X Pro, they didn’t really know what it was and just threw it on the specs thinking they could add it later without knowing a thing about the process.
So Anthem still supplies remotes that turn into carpet tape after a few years? They really need to put some effort into remedying that. For this kind of money, their customers deserve better.
Regarding build quality the Marantz owns the Anthem. Especilly if you compare the back of the units. It allways feels like I will break something when I try to hook up some more expensive cables on the back of my Anthem....
You guys also left out the that you get directional bass with the Marantz and it will also support butt kickers while the Anthem doesn’t. I went with the Av10 because of its features and the fact it just simply works.
You guys need to get your hands on the Audio Control X9S. As a Marantz 6014, 6015, and Cinema 50 owner and also an Anthem 70 and 90 owner. It wasn't until I got the 90 that Anthem pulled ahead for music and 2 channel. Also, why didn't Anthem gold plate the connetions on the back?
Thanks for the video. I am currently at the fence trying to decide between those two, but I still don't know how the DIRAC with Multiple subwoofers license compares to ARC Genesis. Could you guys make that comparison? Thanks.
I came from the 60. Love the avm90, it's so much easier to use and set up. 90 just does all the hard work for you and after that easily tweak to taste. I have not tried Marantz and have no desire because I don't want to learn Dirac. The 90 sounds amazing and great for people who need something simple with the ability to expand when tweaking.
Great comparison.... was looking for this. How disappointing to see the Marantz uses the much older ESS 9018 versus the Superior 9038 Pro (which is in my Oppo 205). The 9018 is it about a dozen years old now and it was in the (way back) Oppo 95--and also in the Exasound E28 of which I have directly compared to the Oppo 205. Sure... DAC choices arent everything but it sure is telling who uses which ESS model... And no doubt big reason why the Anthem 90 cost much more than the 70. Ask for streaming, I think Chromecast is maxxed to 24/48 but at least it does Qobuz... which for some reason HEOS completely ignores which really pisses me off. If I completely bypass my amps and go "receiver"for the atmos path I'm looking at the Marantz 8015 which my friend swears by. Do you by chance know they act they use there compared to the av-10
This was an excellent comparison! I was a long time Denon/Marantz user but the virtual inputs, web interface, and ARC Genesis on the Anthem products is really hard to give up once you have gotten accustom to them. The Marantz seems like it might be a better choice if you're having it professional installed and setup and just want it to work without fiddling with it and avoid service calls.
The DIRAC Licence REALLY hurts for Nations like Australia where the full costing is massive with respect to the cost of the hardware - most particularly in the mid-range models. You can't negotiate for pricing with respect to DIRAC which means you have less potential to achieve the same saving I have been able to with Anthem.
I tried the AVM70. It was my first Anthem product after having owned Denon/Marantz for years prior, so I was not prepared for the horrible OSD. That along with [at the time anyway] unreliable ARC Genesis performance and firmware updates being difficult to complete scared me away. I've had the AV10 for about a year and still feel it is the best in class. Anthem has a lot going for it but they're sort of the Tesla of the AV world. Fit & finish matter in this price range.
I bought the AVM 70, and found it very good… decided to go to the AVM90 because my music listening… very good DAC, but, voices and mid not as good as expected… i finally bought a Macintosh preamplifier for my music… wow… that is good… so… if you buy the AVM90 for a great HT… go… if it is for music… go for the 70 + a musical preamplifier… sad that the STR from Anthem was so old technology…
Interesting about the video processing, I didn't even realize the AV10 could do this. Right now I use the NZ8 for this but I have a problem. The on screen display for the volume level is off the imaging device so I don't have this on screen display. I wonder if I let the AV10 handle it instead of the projector, it will solve this problem? As for the AV10 size, it's true, it won't fit in a standard 19" rack shelf due to the side support pieces on the shelf. However, if you simply install the shelf in the rack upside down, it's not a problem, then the AV10 fits perfectly. This was a really well done video!
There are more nuances with the video card. Too much to detail. I recommend taking some time to look at the user manual. There is even an ISF night and day calibration mode option in the AV 10.
Rumor has it Roon Ready in April for the AV10 (and integrated with HEOS), though it will only be two-channel. Another rumor says HEOS will be eventually also offer something called HEOS+. Not sure what that means. Multi-channel? Maybe. Could mean hardware changes to something like the AV10? Not sure.
I had to return my AVM 90. The CEC issues were really unacceptable for such a high priced product. There were a few other bugs, but that was the most frustrating thing imo. I never had those issues with Marantz. It sounded great for sure, but in the future, I will stick with Marantz and go with the AV10. For now, I am slumming it with my old SR8012 LOL. Separates definitely opened my eyes to how good my 7.2.6 (now 7.2.4) system can sound, and that it definitely is not just hype. I also hated using chromecast, due to interruptions if I needed to use my phone for other things.
I can only hope that AKM has recovered from that awful fire because the audio community needs to see their chips again. I do hope one day that Anthem upgrades the casework of the AVM 70 and AVM 90 or at minimum the AVM 90 to be more inline with their STR equipment. Aesthetics wise I prefer the Anthem minimalist design and for me, Marantz missed a big opportunity in not updating the screen(s). On a separate hopefully Anthem can offer a different screen one day that shows album artwork when using Airplay 2.
How come we did not plug in a Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition HDMI into both machines and listen which processor has superior DSD Multichannel (from a SACD rip) output?
I have attempted the AVM70 three times and AVM90 once. I just find music to be better on Denon/Marantz products because it seems more forward sounding especially vocalist on a marantz or Denon. Whereas the Anthem will have a smoother and more balanced music when this is not always natural or native to what the song was intended to sound like. Anyone else experiencing this too?
I had some HDMI CEC problem with Anthem receivers pairing with a LG TV. IDK if i care what sound quality it can do, if the basics doesn’t work, it’s a deal breaker.
I wish Marantz would label the DAC Filters. 1 and 2 don't do me any good. If they said ""Marantz Sound" and "Test Bench", I wouldn't have to look it up online each time I come across the setting trying to make sure it's set correctly.
Gene, Just out of curiosity, how have you been able to connect your apple TV with fibre optic cable? The CAT6 slot at the back of the apple TV is all I've got and since I've not come across any fibre optic CAT6/CAT7 network cable am wondering how your fibre optic apple TV network connection looks like. Any thoughts, please 🙏
The AppleTV (all generations with physical network ports) have Ethernet (copper). I believe (and Gene can confirm) he’s running fiber switching. So the Ethernet is connecting to a switch that has a fiber backbone. There’s no advantage at all to running a higher category patch cable to an AppleTV
REFERENCE THE ANTHEM CEC BUGS I diagnosed a "CEC Adjacent" issue with how the unit is monitoring interrupts/settings and power states that is causing CEC failure and NOT about CEC standard/compatibility. I had reproduceable test data and multiple testimonials to confirm my hypotheses and outcomes as regard the cause and therefore responsibility of Anthem - NOT the CEC spec. Anthem support has refused to acknowledge or engage regarding the test findings and corrections I developed. Each time I have tried to open a dialogue I get blown off by some support drone with a mandatory reply of "CEC is broken because of other companies stuff". I tried accessing Anthem through the Dealers on one of the FB Anthem groups and just got crapped on by them because they were too damned arrogant to actually take time to read what I proposed and they refuse to criticise the product or support. It's mind blowingly myopic and stupid because some installers are changing out systems that have been fixable by my solution (as a repeated correction to the software problem).
Can you provide a bit more detail? Are you saying that the Anthem is losing the power state flag and that this may be caused by too many CEC devices in the chain that gets the flag out of sync? Therefore a test case would be to unplug the Anthem and “reset” the flag. I noted CEC gremlins in my Anthem review.
I have the Anthem AV90 and I find it to be very buggy - often needing hard Power-Cycle Reset to regain functionality. But by far the worst aspect is its failure to respect Maximum Volume Limits with various sources like Air Play. I set my Maximum Volume Limit to -30dB and when I tried to do an Air Play stream to it, the AVM 90 promptly set it's volume to +10dB and nearly blew out my $12K speakers in the couple of seconds it took me to stop things. And worse yet, when I contacted Anthem Customer Support, I got the run-around from them for over two months before I gave up. As a result, the AVM 90 has mostly been sitting idle for nearly two years because I'm too frightened to use it (and am tired of fighting its bugs).
Anthem released a major firmware last summer that addressed several outstanding issues. My review unit has been very stable outside a CEC gremlin. I strongly recommend for ANY AVR or pre-pro to use an external streamer that can send fixed volume to your AVR or pre-pro. The volume is controlled from your smart device and there are very poor correlations with the volume steps.
@@TheoNicolakis Mine is still randomly buggy. But I should check to see if they at least provided a mechanism to completely disable Air Play since it's so freaking dangerous.
@@caseyleedom6771can you jump onto the AVM 70/ AVM 90 thread on AVS forum and post your firmware and the steps to reproduce. You should absolutely be on the latest firmware. Anthem released a major firmware update last summer. If you have not updated the Anthem then you are missing significant bug fixes and other items in the new firmware.
My Marantz AV8802A went out when the power got shut off during a power outage and came back on. I'm in the process of sending it out for repair, but was considering buying either the AV8805A or the AV 10 to replace my 8802A, because I just can't wait for the AV8802A to come back. I previously had an Anthem D2V that broke twice, once during warranty and once after the warranty expired, so I ended up selling it to someone who said he could repair it himself, so I don't think I would buy another Anthem product ever again even though the D2V was a really great sounding unit. As far as Marantz goes I've owned the SR-18 and SR-14EX receivers and never had a problem with them, which is why I had upgraded to the AV8802A. Was curious if the AV10 is $1,500.00 better than the AV8805A, and if you think it would be worth it just to get either the AV10 or AV8805A and sell my AV8802A after it comes back from repair?
I have the AV7005, and I run Audyssey just to set the delay and volume, then turn it off. Dynamics and clarity sound best with all that stuff turned off. My three subs are one virtual sub with miniDSP. I also have some room treatments.
I have a Marantz AV 7705 processor and when measuring Audyssey Room Optimization, it always asks to lower the volume of the subwoofers, it simply cannot take measurements, then the volume has to be increased. Marantz AV 10 has the same problem.
Blade Runner 2049 and some other movies are available in Auro 3D 13.1 , works also DTSX pro works also 13.4 speaker layout. Listen to movies like Mi 6; Mi7, Blade Runner 2049; Top Gun Maverick, Fast and Furious X and Dune 1 & 2 with Auromatic / movie 10-12 mode . You will surprised . Also will Frontwide will follow . Some movies too much silence and less Atmosphere in the upper area.
Gene/Theo - why are these things so damned expensive? It's like a (very good) receiver except without the amplifier section. I have a Yamaha CX-A5200 (which they discontinued) and I had to pay more for it than their most expensive receiver at the time. Also - what about the Monolith HTP-1? I have read good reviews about that.
Gene I was trying to confirm if the front USB port on the new AV10 is 3.0 or 2.0. I contacted Marantz technical support. No information was available for the AV10 regarding the port. I was told that the port on my AV8805A was 2.5. I've never seen a USB input port rated at 2.5. Would you happen to know the spec. The owners manual has no information regarding this information. Thank you for all the efforts you and your team provide.
Ive had an av10 for a year. Great processor. DLBC is great. We are getting ART too which is awesome. The one thing i am hoping for is an upgrade option to the next hdmi board, as 40gbps hdmi inputs/outputs are already out of date And i have preferred dac 2 consistently You guys literally brought up component video before any hdmi or gaming features. Its very important to some people, and one of the main reasons i got rid of my x4700h. You could also mention how anthem lies and says they have 48gbps hdmi ports when not a single av product on the market has this, to this day. Even if you ask their support staff, they will tell you they have a custom made hdmi board that supports 48gbps. Ive asked, and have been lied to
Got a question not on the same subject. Was wondering if you have done any reviews on anthem mca 5 amplifier and was wondering if it's still a good amplifier compared to today's standards for $500 used.just asking for a friend 😊
Not sure if it is the same but I like the "flat" filter on my Denin X4300h vs. The reference filter (faster roll off), at least for now before room treatment
I have a marantz av Receiver and I love that the port hole display is the size that it is. I never used the display even if it took up the whole front of the receiver. Everything I need to see I can see on the screen. I think that was a great idea
@@TheoNicolakis It's not "their" facility per se. This Vietnamese plant builds product for various companies. Consolidation is killing lots of industries. You think you have choices with products, but so often that's not the case.
I'd already linked it but fior some strange reason it disappeared 🤷♂️ RU-vid is removing the links, just search for how to change light on cinema 40. I believe it's the same process.
Much discussion of the audio streaming pluses and minuses but nothing regarding the video and audio production when viewing UHD 4K movies and the surround and depth production of either. Wish this comparison was a bit more user friendly
The two units are fundamentally transparent with passing 4K UHD signals. The Marantz as mentioned has some advanced video capabilities. Your display and display/source calibration is the more important link in that chain.
Love my Anthem MRX-1140, but I HATE how long the HDMI switching takes. Even with fiberoptic, it takes 7secs +/-. Compared to short cables, 2-3secs. Gotta be a power issue sent across the length of cable from the anthem or the fiber line chip?
I'll be keeping my Yamaha CX-A5200 for now. Need to plug in my Wii also ;) Gene next time you talk to Phil Shea need to put a bug in his ear for the CX-A5300.
You can't touch a Storm or Trinnov at the prices of these processors. I own a Storm ISP24 and would still recommend the Marantz or Anthem over it IF your channel count is 15.4 or less, and you don't need digital outputs for active speakers.
@@Audioholics Do you find the audio quality comparable between Anthem/Marantz and StormAudio/Trinnov? I am an Anthem guy and like the ARC system very much. Then I listened to a comparison between Anthem and StormAudio (here on YT no less) and finally understood why the latter was pricier. 3D Imaging was better.
I would also like that add that the way Marantz implemented the dacs was super clever. The Marantz yes, has 10 2ch dacs. But what was left out was that the left and right channels aren’t tied together like most people would think. Meaning your right tower might be tied with the rear left surround back, and same with the center it might be tied with the front right height channel. And Marantz did this to keep crosstalk down amongst other things. Your subwoofer’s get their own dacs as well. Which I’m sure is in a mono configuration theoretically yielding awesome resolution for bass. Another note is yes on the Marantz app it doesn’t show speaker layout, but if you go to speaker layout on the actual unit it will display that. Anthem doesn’t have an onscreen gui which I think is why it’s on the app. Marantz does this so you can see everything on your large tv or projector. I have the Marantz av10 and amp 10. Got my Marantz av10 December 22’ and amp10 late January 23’. Out of the box calibration I think Anthem is better. But having Dirac since March 23’ I can say imo I think it’s much much better.
Much prefer the beautiful clean modern look of the Anthem chassis design. Marantz looks fussy and busy, and the port hole is pretty useless from the couch. Set-up and on-screen user design/experience, Marantz hands down. Is the DAC same in the AV 90 as the Anthem AVRs? ...the MRX 1140 8K through the MRX 540 8K?
The Anthem AVM 90 has the superior, flagship ESS9038 Sabre DAC. It is the only Anthem unit to sport that DAC. All other Anthem units use DACs further down the product line.
@@pkhammu2005MultEQ-X is the technical name for the PC app. Marantz and Denon have taken the approach to let the customer decide Dirac or Audyssey. Both products are third party and if they chose to include either, it would increase the price of the products.
I personally love the porthole screen. I don’t want everything that visible when I am sitting on my couch. If I do, then I flip open the door. Best of both worlds.
They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Go with the one that appeals to you the most. The Marantz has the option of directional bass and DTS: X Pro.
I would submit this video is focused on processors under $8k, at least that’s the way I understood it. Perhaps why there was not a comparison to Trinnov or Storm. That aside, the video was informative and helpful for me to learn about both products. Thanks for sharing this
I have an 8802A and agree that the marantz porthole display is just dumb. How did you get Roon to run on an Oppo? I have a 203 - can I run Roon with it? My 8802-A's paper manual is way toooo big. Is the AV10's manual more concise?
