First Look: Anthem Statement D2V A/V Controller
4) The proprietary Anthem Room Correction (ARC) system measures the speaker system’s in-room performance characteristics, and then calculates appropriate target response curves for each speaker to achieve optimal real-world sound.
Playback has just received its sample of Anthem Statement D2V controller ($7499), which will be used in conjunction with the Anthem Statement P5 amplifier we already have on hand. Expect a review to appear in Playback 25 (or perhaps Playback 26). In the interim, feel free to submit any questions you may have on the Anthem Statement D2V and I’ll do my best to answer them.
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Comments
Why not to make a review of a complete Anthem/Paradigm System:
Anthem D2V controller
Anthem P5 Amplifier
Anthem Projector LXT 500
The new Signature S8 V3 package
The Sub 25 Subwoofer
Good magazine Regards
Chris:
Looking forward to reading your review! I've already ordered mine and should be receiving it either this week or next. I'm trading in my Statement D1 which had already been upgraded to the latest version of the Statement D2. This latest unit, in combination with the Statement P5 amp, Oppo BluRay player and the 60-inch Pioneer Elite Pro-150FD plasma should make for an incredible audio/video experience!
Bill
I Chris send me the price of the D2V I am interested.
Chris, You may be aware that a prominent and influential 153-page thread in AVS titled "best-sounding pre/pros in different price ranges" (hosted by 'Zissou') stated that Anthem processors, while excellent in many ways, were not very "musical" and not suitable for two-channel music played back over the very best high end audio equipment. The typical solution presented to this 2-channel/multichannel system dilemma was to use a high end music pre/pro with a theater bypass mode (Parasound P7, Proceed AVP2, etc) PLUS a multichannel processor like the Anthem D2V for all the HD processing and movie sound. This is quite expensive and somewhat cumbersome! Now, I own Pioneer's last and best Kuro plasma plus a Paradigm Studio 100 system plus an Anthem multichannel amp plus a Primare processor and I like them all a lot, but my audio equipment (except for my Fathom f113 sub and maybe my Onkyo DV-SP1000 universal player) while very good for movies is not quite reference quality for music. So, like many, I am still in the upgrade mode. I can find no top reviewer who has paid any attention to the straight two-channel music produced by an Anthem processor in the past 5+ years. Perhaps you could do this along with your normal multichannel audio/video review. Hook the Anthem up to a top-rated high end 2-channel amp and pair of high end speakers and settle this "musical" question for the many of us who would be interested in upgrading to an "ultimate" one-box solution like the Anthem D2V. I also like the suggestion of the Signature S8V2 system to test it all on, although a pair of B&W 802Ds or Revell Ultima Salons might answer this Anthem question better for the critics out there. Thanks, Jeff
Not sure if you read the whole thread you referenced but there were people using Anthem products, and specifically D2 and room correction that said it was the best thing they ever heard. The host, Zissou, clearly did not like digital processing of any type, even though I can't see where he said he ever listened to a Anthem D2. My guess is room correction will be the norm, not the exception, in future hi-end, and Anthem is way ahead of the curve. The D2 is not being paid attention to because its not new, not because it doesn't sound excellent. I bought a D2 to replace my aging me AV processor. I, like you, have a high end dedicated two channel pre amp (at twice the cost of a D2) used in by-pass mode. This was my plan for the D2, to be used for AV only. To my chagrin the D2 just sounded so much better with ARC that I was amazed. Now I can tell you it sounded it awesome before the D2, but now I can integrate a subwoofer seemlessly and the vocals are just dead spot on. It is as at least as detailed and images as it did before. After many years in this hobby I've learned to let my ears to do the listening. Reviews are a great way to learn more about products out there, but at the end of the day its what it sounds like that counts, not some thread on the internet hosted by a purist who can't fathom we don't all live in recording studios or anechoic chambers. My cherished two channel pre-amp is going on the shelf until I can bring my self to sell it.
I am very interested in this piece. However, at this price point, a number of other controllers come to mind. When reviewing this piece, would like to get some perspective against pieces below, same and above. Anthem is well known for their video capabilties and discussing that is old hat. The review would provide little value. I would like the focus on audio and how it would measure up against the high end solutions known for sound -- Lexicon, Arcam 888, Meridian -- as well as 'purist' 2 channel name brands. Many say that the D2's are great pieces yet no one offers the detail and depth analysis regarding its sonic capabilities. I'm spending this kind of money for its sonic and controller capabilties. Good Video processors can be had very cheaply these days.
Thanks
Eddie, if you read my review, then you already know the MSRP is $7499. Even if you didn't read my review, if you're really interested, it would be so easy figure out the price via Google or by checking Anthem's website. All you need to do is to get off your lazy ass!
Chris ,your responses slay me sometimes! lol!
I would be very interested in a comparison, if possible, to the ARCAM FMJ 600, which is regarded by some reviewers as being perhaps the best home theatre receiver out there, going so far as to place it in amongst separate controller/amplifier units.
As a happy D2 owner I would like to correct a couple misleading statements in this article.
The ARC (Anthemroom correction) equaliztion system IS available for D2 owners. It was bundled with the D2 for the last year or so, and is available for sale for those D2's that were manufactured before the advent of ARC. ARC is, IMHO, the best $400 tweak available for D2 owners. Highly recommended.
I disagree with the author on the on the necessity for needing video processing for a BR 1080p signal. The video processor in the D2v is undoubtedly new and improved, but if you need it to improve a 1080p BR signal, you better get a new BR player.
The author is correct on many of the differences beween the D2 and D2v. Whether they are needed or desired, you must be the judge.
Although the D2 does not decode DolbyHD or DTS-MA, most BR players do, and it can be passed to the D2 as PCM. The D2v will have a little light come on indicating that it is receiving the HD audio via bitstream. With the D2 you will need to check the audio setting on your BR player to make sure that you are receiving the already decoded HD audio via PCM. If seeing the little light is important then, by all means, upgrade your D2 to the D2v.
The D2 accepts only 5.1 channels in at 24/96, where the D2v handles 7.1 at up to 24/192hz.. There are very few 24/192 encoded discs available now, but this may change making this feature more important.
The D2v has 8 hdmi 'in' and 2 'out', where the D2 has only 4 in and 1 out. I have 2 of my 'in' connections in use. I'm not sure I could think of 6 more hdmi devices to hook up, but if you need them then the D2v would be necessary.
I only have one monitor, but if you have a 2 hdtv's, or a hdtv and a projecter then the D2v would come in handy.
Some D2v owners claim that the audio is improved over there old D2's. This could be true. I have not A/Bed them. But I can say that the audio on the D2 is outstanding, contrary to what one of the earlier posters claimed. If the D2v is better, then WOW!
I have been using the v1.33 firmware on my D2 for a long time, and it continues to run troublefree. The D2v firmware is still seeking a stable firmware that will satify the majority of owners. Anthem tech support is excellent in working diligently to get a stable firmware to run the D2v, but they are not there yet.
There are definite improvements comparing the D2v to the D2, but they may not be necessary in your system. As some D2 owners look to move up to the D2v you may be able to find a used D2 for sale at a bargain price.
I am also a very satisfied D2 owner and have the ARC upgrade. I am interested in what the functional differences are between a fully upgraded D2 vs the D2V. In the past, all capabilities were available via upgrade.
I am also interested in suggestions of how to best feed media PC music to a D2 since there is a lot written about external DACS, but the D2 has a very capable DAC. I use an EMU-0404 to convert USB output to SPDI/F going into the D2 and Media Monkey as the PC application. I am very satisfied with the quality of the sound I am getting this way, but am always interested in other's experiences.
I may have misled when I said 'upgrade'. Anthem has just announced a D2-to-D2v trade in program. They are not upgrading your D2 to a a D2v. They will take your D2 (and $$$)and send you a brand new D2v with a full warranty. If I remember right the $$$ was around $3500-$4000. Not cheap.
The main differences between the D2 and D2v were pretty much outlined in this article:
HDMI 4in/1out vs 8in/2out
A new, improved video processor (although the gennum vxp in the D2 is pretty darned good)
The ability to decode DolbyHD and DTS-MA internally.
The ability to accept up to 7.1 audio in by hdmi. It can only accept 5.1 channels via analog inputs.
The ability to accept 24/192hz signal. (The D2 can accept 24/96hz.).
These are the main differences, off the top of my head.
I don't use a PC for music, or movies, but if you check out the'Anthem D2v/D2...tweaking guide' thread on AVS there are some very smart poeple there that could give you suggestions.
"...The ability to accept up to 7.1 audio in by hdmi. It can only accept 5.1 channels via analog inputs."
With the ability to carry the 7.1 signal through HDMI, I assume the 5.1 analog inputs would mainly be used for SACD/DVD-Audio?
I currently have the AVM-50. I assume the new AVM 50v will offer similar performance to the D2? All of the items you mentioned here will be welcome additions - I look forward to the review!