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

[Arthur Vino]

Anthem is tops, C2 is excellent also.. Dunno about Integra.. C2 is reviewed in may HT magazine.. Anthem is just awesome everywhere u ask..

 

[Sihan Goi]

How much are the RDC-7 and Halo C2? The RDC-7 was in my shortlist when I was shopping in 2001, but I ended getting the AV32R.

 

[Arthur Vino]

C2 retails for $4000..

 

[Ricky T]

A Media/Theater company in Atlanta just listed a slightly used silver Aragon Stage One for $2399 on audiogon...a smoking price.....!

 

[Prathavan V]

Seth,

I wouldn't rule out the AVM based solely on the problems some people are having (although I can understand how that would influence you). I suggest you send an email to Anthem (contacts are listed on their web page) and discuss your concerns with one of the techs there (I've been speaking with Nick mainly). I believe that the DSP board problem has now been taken care of at Anthem, and, for what it's worth, I've been running 2.09 on my AVM (October 2002 build) since the day that software was released and I've had absolutely ZERO problems with the software.

The AVM is pure joy to listen to, and while I understand that you have to go with your heart, I really think you should at least audition the unit (and maybe communicate your concerns with Nick at Anthem). Maybe you still won't choose it, but at least then you'll satisfy yourself that you made an informed decision.

 

[AVspec]

And then there’s the B&K Ref50 for $2998 retail.

 

[Brett DiMichele]

Camp,

I am not looking for a Processor I am lookin for a strict
2 Channel Music PreAmp that's why I said I was looking at
the P3 (not C3). In the price range ($800.00) there isn't
another PreAmp out there that compares feature and build
quality wise.

 

[Rich Wenzel]

sorry your TGIII didn't work out, what was the problem if I may ask..

There was an article in one of the mags comparing the stage one, avm20 and TGIII...didn't give a clear edge to anyone...

one problem with the anthem is that its so damn ugly...

also, not having heard all of the pre/pros, if i had to bet which pre/pro less than $5k would have the best sound, I would bet the Naim AV2...Though Naim stuff is pretty ugly as well.

Also ATI just came out with a new one, and I am not sure what Bryston's goes for...

I have also never heard a thing except announcements on the Fosgate, but wouldn't hurt to look at it...

What does the "low" end Krell, Showcare I think its called, go for?

And someone mentioned the rotel that is comping out.

Also B&K is in your price range as well.

Rich

 

[Rich Wenzel]

Oh yeah,

I forgot the Arcam, isnt that around $4k?

Rich

 

[Ricky T]

I have been very happy with the Stage One for all sources in various sound modes. The S&V lab measurements (in that article) had all 3 prepros at the theoritical limit for Dolby Digital. In the multichannel analog inputs measurements, the Stage One had one-tenth the distortion of the other two, and a higher S/N ratio.

I have the black version (all my gear is black)...but the silver Stage One looks awesome. Also, the unit works fine, with no bugs, and is easy to operate.

 

[Sihan Goi]

You might also wanna consider the TagMcLaren AV32Rbp192 or the newer one with dual SHARC chips...

 

[Seth V]

First off, I just want to say "Thank You Very Much" for all your very helpful replies. The pre-pro's that you all recommended are all very good choices, and I'm sure that I would be very happy with any of the products mentioned. I just wanted to let you all know that I have finally decided on which pre-pro to get, It's the Integra Research RDC-7(upgrade 2).

This unit has received rave reviews from various magazines and owners alike. It's a High End Processor, with some very nice features, like Apogee's Digital Clock cicuitry which reduces jitter introduced by the DAC's. This in turn gives a more precise digital stream. Other features of the RDC-7 include a digital upsampling circuit that upsamples 44.1 khz and 48 khz signals to 88.2khz and 96khz respectively, which can improve the sound of CD's as well as other digital sources. It also includes an AC-3 RF input(which is pretty rare in pre-pro's these days)for 5.1 laserdisc playback. Match all the above with the units good looks and solid build, and it sure looks like a winner.

Rich Wenzel,

The issue with the first TGIII I owned was very weak bass output with 5.1 sources, the second and third TGIII units I had were plagued with some loud popping sounds with DD and DTS sources. These comments are in no way attacking Sunfire. Sunfire has some very nice and great sounding products. There are many very satisfied owners out there with absolutely 0 problems with their TGIII's. I just happened to be one of the few with problems(with 3 unit in a row). I don't know if all the brand new TGIII's have the popping issue or not.

The first TGIII I owned had no popping at all(but had very little bass), and did not come with V3.06 software pre-installed from the factory(I installed it via a CD supplied by Sunfire). The 2nd and 3rd TGIII's I owned had great bass but had the popping problem (V3.06 was pre-installed at the factory). Whether this problem is only with new units that have the V3.06 software pre-installed I don't know.

A tech from Sunfire told me that a few others were having this problem also, and that a fix would be available soon(just how soon he didn't know). So, would I recommend a Sunfire TGIII to someone considering a pre-pro in that price range? Yes I would, because as I said there are many happy TGIII owners out there. It is a very fine sounding product for both music and movies, and it is very user friendly.

Regarding Krell and some of the other pre-pros that you mentioned. I did Have the Krell Showcase and the Fosgate piece on my list of choices. The Krell overall is very good and has a lot to offer. But it just didn't dazzle me, the Fosgate looks very promising but I couldn't find any reviews on it, so I wasn't totally sure about it. In the end It was Halo Or Integra Research, with Integra Research finally winning me over.

SV

 

[Dan Hitchman]

The only thing about the RDC-7 that I don't really like is the serial connection for 7.1 analog inputs requiring a break out cable (not many to choose from). Perhaps that won't be an issue if the FireWire input is put to use for DVD-Audio.

I don't know what Integra/Onkyo will do when on-board DSD bitstream decoding is allowed. Maybe swap out a board?

Other than that it looks like its a very nice unit and also very flexible. Good luck with it!

Dan

 

[Rich Wenzel]

Good luck with the Integra.

Thanks for answering my questions on the TGIII, I like to keep that stuff inthe back of my mind...

Rich

 

[Tom Camlioglu]

While your at it Ricky, you may as well mention that the Aragon couldn't pass the 96Khz test, plus the fact that the Anthem won the Reviewers Choice Award from S&V shouldn't probably go by unnoticed either ... I think there are probably a few good reasons why the Anthem won out over the TGIII and the Aragon.

Tom

 

[Ricky T]

Tom,

I believe the review said that the Stage One at "the time of the review" did not have the 96/24 chip and later versions would have it. "Awards" are one thing; lab measurements are another (1/10th the distortion ).

 

[Ricky T]

Dan,

Onkyo should include the DB-25 to 6 RCA "converter" cable with the Integra Research (as they do with the Onkyo 989 receiver). I bought this cable from Onkyo for $13 plus $6 shipping to use with my Aragon, which also uses DB25.

 

[Tom Camlioglu]

I would think they would go hand in hand, unless you are trying to say that you should buy the Aragon simply because of it's distortion level?? (FYI --None of these units have any "audible" distortion). Oh and the fact that the Aragon's resolution wasn't better than 16-bit, where the Anthem's and Sunfire's were ... should also be noted in the "Lab Results".

If you're trying to paint a picture, it helps if you use the "right" colors eh?

Tom

 

[Ricky T]

Tom,

So someone should believe that the Anthem is better because of some award?

Here are the measurements below. S&V did NOT post the CD test results, so we don't know how all three measured for 16bit redbook. Yes, the Aragon at the review did not decode 96/24 (because that was coming). But the Aragon did edge out the other two on the AC3 measurements. The commentary in the review also did not indicate the Anthem was any better than the other two.

1) AC3 NOISE LEVEL on 16bit Signal (the larger the negative the better):

Anthem AVM20 - 75.2 dB
Sunfire TGIII - 75.4 dB
Aragon Stage One - 75.6 dB

2) MULTICHANNEL ANALOG Inputs - Distortion (1 kHz at 200mV)

Anthem 0.05%
Sunfire 0.02%
Aragon 0.003% (one tenth the distortion level!)

3) MULTICHANNEL ANALOG Inputs Noise Level (A-wtd re 200mV) The larger the negative the better.
Anthem -84.4 dB
Sunfire -87.2 dB
Aragon -88.3 dB

 

[Tom Camlioglu]

No ... that was evident in the next issue

Tom