The Upgraded Anthem AVM-20 2.1 (3 Viewers)

[Mifr44]

Dan,

I went and plugged in my AVM-20 into my Monster HTS-5100. I had a brief scare shortly after doing this - I had a loud pop sound and the sound went dead! I turned the AVM-20 off and on, and all has been well since. This was almost 2 months ago.

I have a couple of questions. Where did the loud pop come from, the AVM-20, the speakers or something else? When you unplugged the AVM-20 and then plugged it into the HTS-5100, did you flip off the power switch on the back panel?

Michael

 

[Frank Zimkas]

Mike,
Not to trying to make a point at all, just posting my experience with the AVM-20 that I purchased. I thought that a few members that have an interest in upgrading from a previous version of the AVM might be interested. Sorry if you were offended.

 

[Mifr44]

Frank,

I am not offended at all. I completely understand your frustration, believe me I do. My AVM-20 failed the upgrade from v1.12 to v2.00 because of a hardware issue. I was without an AVM-20 for over 3 weeks, and as I recall I expressed quite a bit of frustration online because of the delay getting it back.

One of the positives for many AVM-20 owners is Anthem's customer service, while some of the best I have ever encountered, appears to have greatly disappointed you. Happens to the best of them.

I just think it does little good to piss and moan online when it appears you want to get rid of your AVM-20. I think your energies would be better spent trying to find a replacement for the AVM-20. I will be more than willing to give you some suggestions based on what I have auditioned. I would like to think others on this thread would do so too.

Best wishes,

Michael

 

[Doug_B]

By the way, could some explain what "multi wave formats?(Line frequency-60hz)..." means.

I think this is referring to the capability of not just regenerating the AC signal but providing the user the ability to specify the type of wave to generate, i.e., other than a "simple" sine wave. Instead of me trying to explain it and probably miss a lot of info, I believe the top of the line PSAudio model has this feature; their web site should specify what the available wave formats are.

Useful? I have no clue.

Doug

 

[Mark Blumberg]

I went and plugged in my AVM-20 into my Monster HTS-5100. I had a brief scare shortly after doing this - I had a loud pop sound and the sound went dead! I turned the AVM-20 off and on, and all has been well since.

Robert and Michael, I also have a HTS-5100 and without reading the manual completely when I first got my AVM-20 plugged it right into one of the high-current slots. The AVM-20 immediately blew a fuse. The store where I purchased the AVM-20 brought out a replacement the next day. The gods must be smiling on you Robert. The guys at the A/V store, as well as Sonic Frontier, told me to never plug it into the HTS-5100. I use a surge protector instead.

But maybe you guys are onto something when you say I need to ground my entire system. A cable installer told me that what I needed to do to eliminate the interference was ground my home's entire electrical system. I guess the next step is to call Comcast and complain and see if they do anything for me.

 

[Tom Camlioglu]

Guys,

I went through this exercise a few months back. Earlier models of the AVM20 did not have slow-blow fuses - which was why they put that warning in the manual.

In fact, in my conversations with Nick at Anthem, later models did have the fuses replaced with slow-blows.(We're talking about v2.0x here - I think when I got mine it was a 2.06 rev)

I've been using a Monster 5100 for over 6 months now with not one hint of an issue (replaced a Panamax 1500).

../TC

 

[Tom Camlioglu]

Guys, I just went back through my e-mails and found the Anthem reply (Oct/02):

"Panamax caused the original fuse type in the AVM20 to blow - we changed it and it's fine now. So are all other suppressors (that I know of) and most conditioners, as long as you stay away from the ones that change line frequency to something above 60 Hz.

For the amps, again, keep it at 60 Hz, but there's something else - the MCA20 and 30 combined can draw all the power a wall socket can supply. Suppressors are OK, and so are conditioners provided they can supply up to 1800 VA at their output - check the specs. Joule ratings for suppressors have more to do with how much of a spike they can take, as opposed to the current demands of connected equipment."

Hope this helps!

../TC

 

[Robert_Lamb]

I received this from Anthem today when I asked about the Monster Product HTS2000:

At one time, the HTS series caused one of the fuses in the AVM20 to blow, but lately the issue has disappeared. All comes down to one thing: If the standby fuse (internal) is fast-blow, it has to be changed to slow-blow of equal rating (contact your dealer). If you've had your AVM20 for less than 1.5 years, then it most likely already has the slow-blow fuse, therefore no need to worry in that case.

 

[Dan Schulze]

Michael,

I have a couple of questions. Where did the loud pop come from, the AVM-20, the speakers or something else? When you unplugged the AVM-20 and then plugged it into the HTS-5100, did you flip off the power switch on the back panel?

The noise came from the speakers - it was working OK for a while then that happened. I don't remember turning the power switch off in the back at any time during this - I guess I should have. The only time I have turned the switch off in the back is when I was connecting my serial cable for the software upgrade and when disconnecting and connecting my components when I was rearranging my room.

Dan

 

[JimmyK]

I finally got a chance to load v2.12 and give it a try ( the last version I tried was v2.11h, I believe).

I guess Anthem did some more tweeking of the muting. Now, when the unit first detects a DD5.1 signal (THX on) from my Tosh SD6200 DVD player, I get a quick "tick" sound from the speakers. It's almost like a shorter and quieter version of the "pop" I was getting with v2.10. When I tried a DTS 5.1 CD in my Rotel CD player, there was a quick bust of static when the Anthem first locked onto the DTS signal (THX off). Neither noise is quite as loud as it was with v2.10.

Regular CDs play fine with no chopping off the beginning of tracks.

Anthem did say that there is always a compromise between muting a signal long enough to prevent any noise when locking onto a signal and short enough to prevent chopping off the beginning of tracks. I would imagine that the ideal timing would be different for different equipment.

So, If v2.12 proves to be too annoying, I may go back to v2.11h or v2.11k (Anthem had sent v2.11k to me, but I didn't get a chance to load it). With v2.11h there was no noise when locking onto different signals and I did not notice the beginning of CD tracks being cut off. Perhaps the particular timing used in v2.11h suited my particular equipment.

I wonder if there is a way Anthem could make the timing of the muting circuit user adjustable in later updates so that each person could tweek it to work best with their particular equipment?

Anyone else have this experience?

JimmyK

 

[Brian Fitterman]

Anthem did say that there is always a compromise between muting a signal long enough to prevent any noise when locking onto a signal and short enough to prevent chopping off the beginning of tracks

The other thing to remember is that they are also trying to balance these two things, with ALL the different DVD players out there. The POP issue from what I under stand did not happen with all brands. I never had an issue with it.

 

[JimmyK]

I just heard back from Anthem (they sure are quick!). Apparently, making the mute timing user adjustable is a bit more complicated than I realized. So it doesn't look like that will happen.

I did send another note asking if I would be missing something if I go back to v2.11h. We'll see what they say. If I'm not missing anything, then I'll probably go back to v2.11h and enjoy until the next upgrade is offered.

For anyone reading this who is trying to decide which pre/proc to buy, this issue is pretty much nit picking and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this pre/proc to anyone.

JimmyK

 

[JimmyK]

I did send another note asking if I would be missing something if I go back to v2.11h. We'll see what they say. If I'm not missing anything, then I'll probably go back to v2.11h and enjoy until the next upgrade is offered.

Anthem again responded very quickly. They sent me a slightly different version of v2.12 to try. If that doesn't work out, then they said to work back, trying v2.11k, then v2.11h.

As soon as I get a chance, I'll give the different v2.12 a try and post my results.

What a great company!

JimmyK

 

[Rich X]

I guess Anthem did some more tweeking of the muting. Now, when the unit first detects a DD5.1 signal (THX on) from my Tosh SD6200 DVD player, I get a quick "tick" sound from the speakers. It's almost like a shorter and quieter version of the "pop" I was getting with v2.10.

I almost thought it was my imagination, but I experienced the same thing. While using v2.10, I would get the loud pop in the left surround channel anytime the Anthem locked on to a 5.1 signal. After I loaded v2.12, I still have the pop, but it is slightly more muted.

I'll be interested to see if the "slightly different" v2.12 they sent you corrects this.

 

[Randy Haines]

Well, my AVM20 went back to the factory today. They had been asking to see it for a while. The upgrade board was replaced and then problems really started. I think my old dealer (no longer an Anthem dealer) buggered it doing the install. So Nick has been asking for it back since November, i just stalled them till now to get past the holidays. I miss it already and will be very glad when it returns. At least I'll have to go out and do a show while it's gone.

Anthem has given nothing but super service as far as I am concerned. Anyone not happy with their choice really should examine why they decided to go with it in the first place. Well, that's my opinion anyway. Why waste time if you're not happy. Personally, i can't figure out why anyone who can hear wouldn't be happy with this unit. The sound is so open and naturally accurate. And for this price! Here's to another great year of enjoyment!

 

[Mifr44]

Interesting comments about the pops and clicks people are hearing. I asked my wife and daughter if they were hearing them, the both of them having watched several movies the last 3 weeks or so, and they said no. None when starting the DVDs, none when DD or DTS is detected, and none during chapter changes. This was true for v2.10 and is still true for v2.12 in our system.

I would test this myself (again!), but I am still in the middle of battling an ear infection that started way back in the middle of December, resulting in a fairly significant amount of hearing loss in the left ear. If a second week of topical antibiotics doesn't help (which ends next Monday), I am off to a specialist. Given the alternative, I would be glad to hear the pops right now!

Michael

 

[JimmyK]

Interesting comments about the pops and clicks people are hearing. I asked my wife and daughter if they were hearing them, the both of them having watched several movies the last 3 weeks or so, and they said no. None when starting the DVDs, none when DD or DTS is detected, and none during chapter changes. This was true for v2.10 and is still true for v2.12 in our system.

You must have the lucky combination of equipment. Whether or not one has this issue seems dependant on the other equipment hooked up to the AVM20. In my case, I have this issue with my Rotel CD player (when playing a DTS 5.1 CD) and to a lesser extent, my Tosh SD6200 DVD player.

I still haven't had a chance to try the software that Anthem sent to me the other day, but I'll post my results as soon as I get a chance.

I certainly hope your ear gets better soon. It must be torture to not be able to enjoy your system!

JimmyK

 

[Dennis Oblow]

I have no pops or clicks to report with v2.12 My avm20 is hooked up to a Toshiba SD9000

 

[Dan Schulze]

Well,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but once in a great while, I will hear a click out of one of the main speakers for no apparent reason. I have noticed this on DTS and DD tracks. This will happen while the movie is playing and does not occur when locking onto a signal. I first heard it on a CD I was playing, but it was in the exact same spot and I could repeat it, so I blamed the CD.

Is it a possibility that there might be some contamination on a DVD that is being picked up? Once again this is a very, very intermittent problem, so it is going to be difficult to track down. I don't think any else notices this when a movie is playing, so as you can tell it is not that bad.

The good news is that I have not had a problem with muffled sound and loosing my center channel since I upgraded to 2.12 - yippee!!!

I will continue to monitor my 'click' sound and report back if I come up with something more specific.

Dan

 

[Miguel Stanic]

I have had something happen twice, weeks apart, now with my AVM20 and I am wondering if anybody has experienced it.

I go to turn it on and nothing. I then turn the power switch off on the back of the unit, unplug the power cable and let it sit for a minute or two. Plug it back in and turn the switch on. Hit power on remote and nothing. I then take out the batteries, on the remote, and put them back in (along with switching off the AVM20 on the back and removing the power cable). I turn it on and it powers up okay.

I've noticed this twice (weeks apart) and each time it has occurred upon trying to turn it on. The last usage was normal and the unit was powered off as per normal.

Is there no other way to turn this unit on except the remote? I think the key is removing the batteries from the remote. Next time, hopefully no next time, I will try removing only the batteries from the remote. I don't think it's anything to worry about but I thought I would just get some feedback nonetheless.