Parasound Halo C2 vs Anthem AVM 20, which is better and why? (1 Viewer)

I own a Sunfire TGIII, but I am thinking of replacing it with either a Parasound Halo C2 or an Anthem AVM20. Which one do you all think would be the better choice? Main importance is sound quality for music and movies. Another important issue is ease of use.

I noticed that the Halo C2 uses AKM 24/96 DAC's while the Anthem uses AKM 24/192 DAC's, how much do these differences in DAC's affect the sonics?

SV

Why do you want to make a change? A move to either the AVM-20 or C2 seems to be a cosmetic lateral move rather than an upgrade.

Looks like C2:
Has better remote (MX-700)
Looks better

But uses inferior DAC?


May 2003 Issue of HT has extremely positiove review of C1 (C2s brother with monitor up front)..

I like the anthem better but i do own one and that kinda makes my opinion biased. Camp maybe he is moving to get the thx ultra 2 stuff? I know that the lack it on the tgIII stopped me from buying one. Oh yeah and the tg III is kinda fugly!

Camp,

The main reason I was thinking about making a change is that I've been having some issues with my TGIII. I've been through 2 units already, with a 3rd on the way. If this new TGIII works fine, then I might just stick with it, but if not I'm definitely getting something different.

Arthur Vino,

The C2 was definitely high on my list of choices, but the DAC's that it uses has me wondering if it's as good as it should be. I feel that Parasound should have used 24/192 DAC's instead of 24/96 DAC's. For this reason I may stay clear of the Halo C2. What about the Anthem? I know it uses AKM 24/192 DAC's. How do the sonics of the Anthem compare to that of the Sunfire TGIII? How user friendly is the Anthem? And does the Anthem offer a full auto mode like the TGIII?

Any help you all can give will be very helpful. I need some feedback ASAP. Thanks.

SV

some help:
Hometheaterhifi.com review sunfire 3 on their web site..
Anthem been reviewed in S&V in 2002 against 49TX and 5803.. Anthem won..
Director D1 Anthem coming out. I hope it will use BB 24/192...
Anyone has comments on BB 192 vs AKM one?

Almost forgot DVD etc will review C2 in 2 very next issue (out in 2 weeks) and Anthem in the issue after..
Hope this helps..
Art

I considered both the Parasound Halo C2 and the Anthem AVM20. I ended up with the Anthem AVM20 mainly because the Parasound does not offer the option of bass mangagement through it's multi channel analog inputs. I also liked the fact that Anthem has a proven track record of providing software updates. Otherwise they appear to be very competitive in features.

Although I understand some may not want any processing through the multichannel inputs to preserve the signal, I personally wanted the option to have the signal processed or passed straight through. The Anthem gives me the choice to pass straight through or process for bass management.

I should note that I have not compared the 2 units sonically, so I cannot comment on which sounds better. I can say that the Anthem sounds great!

If the bass management issue is of no concern to you, I would expect that either unit would be a great choice.

JimmyK

Thanks guy's for your insight and help. The more I think about it the more I'm liking the Anthem AVM20( although there have been a number of people having some issues with their AVM20's as of late). So I don't want go from one problem(Sunfire TGIII) to another(Anthem AVM20) I just want to finally be able to sit down and start enjoying.

SV

Seth V the anthem does not have the full auto mode you are speaking of but honestly once you hear it I don't think you will care any more. When I was shopping for my pre amp I was looking at the same three. I went down to my anthem dealer and the second he hit play I was mesmerized!!! I quickly realized that if I didn't leave with an anthem my life would be hell! So I bought right there on the spot. They are all amazing pieces but only the anthem sounds truely amazing. Anthem should bundle the avm 20 with a change of underwear..... get one and you too will understand why!

My replacement Sunfire TGIII sould be in tomorrow. If this new one acts up it's gone. Then it's going to be a really tough choice between the Anthem and The Halo C2. So, you're not just a little impressed with your AVM20 now are ya?LOL. Sure sounds like you're loving your Anthem. How long have you been using your AVM20 now? Besides it not having a full auto mode, how user friendly is the AVM20? Did you keep the stock remote, or did you replace it with a Theatermaster MX500 or MX700?

I also wanted to share some very interesting info regarding the Halo C2, that was shared with me over at the AVS forum. It seems that the reason Parasound opted in using the new AKM 24/96 DAC's in the Halo C1/C2 over the ones used in the Anthem AVM20, is that these new AKM(4393)24/96 DAC's offer a higher S/N ratio at 120db vs 112db for the AKM(4382). According to Parasound these newer 24/96 DAC's are better than the older 24/192 DAC's. Just how good these new DAC's are, I dont know.

SV

Seth,

Have you looked at the Aragon Stage One? Hope your next Sunfire unit works fine!

Ricky T,

Yes, I sure did look into the Aragon Stage One. It is a very nice looking unit, but didn't offer some of the things I was looking for(like Balanced XLR outs and an on screen display).

SV

what do DACs do exactly?
new akm 24/192 dac is coming end of year, rumors go halo will upgrade then.. Anthem director will have it also, 100%...

thanks.. I guess they help my mp3s sound better

The Anthem is an absolute features powerhouse. The AVM 20 gives you the abilty to control four different zones of audio and video. With its built in IR connecting block it can serve as and IR router for those remote rooms as well. It also has multiple trigger outputs, intuitive 232 protocols, XLR outputs, AES/EBU digital ins!! Bottom line, in order to get the amount of features found in the AVM-20, one would have to buy the Lexicon MC-12 balanced for $10,000.

AVM hands down.

Barry

I personally have had my anthem for about 2 months now. I think it is very user friendly, my girlfriend can use it and that is really all that needs said!! I have changed remotes (rc5200I) but it was more for the fact that I have a sick addiction to working on ccf files. I have put over 50hours into my current ccf and it doesn't even have remote codes programmed in yet! I have to say I really did like the anthem remote but it was more because of the way it fit in my hand and that fact that it kinda feels like silk (best way I can describe it).

I have to agree with barry the only thing that i think is better or on par with (i personally think the mc-12 is better) the anthem is the mc-12. Then again i heard the mc-12 with a 100,000.00 revel speaker setup with levison amps.

With Rotel really screwing up the bass management on the 1066 and not getting it right (correcting it) for almost a year, I think I'd pass on Rotel from now on. They simply tried to deny there was actually a problem for too long. Just MHO.