Power amp to match my PMC 25.26i speakers

[Wayneo]

12 minutes ago, Ittaku said:

The "control any speaker you threw at it" is standard review nonsense. They're low current amps.

 

The Gryphon would equal the balls of the Vitus, but I feel the Vitus pips it for delicacy and natural sound.

 

You can easily find a digital extractor box from HDMI to SPDIF and plug it into an optical input on your DAC, or optionally add the DAC to the Vitus and plug it into that (I can't attest to what the DAC sounds like, I've only listened to the amplification itself.) Such converters are less than $50 usually. That's usually ample for TV playback quality.

 

Can I control the volume from my Apple TV remote with a HDMI to SPDIF extractor? I can control the volume of the Anthem using the Apple Remote and I love the convenience of this setup.

[Ittaku]

1 minute ago, Wayneo said:

 

Can I control the volume from my Apple TV remote with a HDMI to SPDIF extractor? I can control the volume of the Anthem using the Apple Remote and I love the convenience of this setup.

I don't know. The amp obviously has its own volume control and remote control, no idea what apple tv does with its hdmi output, whether it controls it at the source or controls the amp downstream.

Edited January 29, 2024 by Ittaku

[POV]

3 minutes ago, Wayneo said:

 

Can I control the volume from my Apple TV remote with a HDMI to SPDIF extractor? I can control the volume of the Anthem using the Apple Remote and I love the convenience of this setup.

Given what you are trying to do, and your available budget, I really think you should look into a dedicated 2 channel pre with onboard DSP and bass management for your sub integration and HDMI ARC for your Apple TV.  Then you can pair that with whatever amplifier takes your fancy.

[gillmaverick]

28 minutes ago, Wayneo said:

 

Thanks for the comment. You have a very similar setup to me, so that's interesting you like the Anthem pre-power combo.

Hi Wayne ,

You are more than welcome to come over for a listen if you like. Just to listen to Anthem STR Power Amp . Cheers

[gillmaverick]

1 minute ago, POV said:

Given what you are trying to do, and your available budget, I really think you should look into a dedicated 2 channel pre with onboard DSP and bass management for your sub integration and HDMI ARC for your Apple TV.  Then you can pair that with whatever amplifier takes your fancy.

+1 to what Drew said.

[Wayneo]

1 minute ago, POV said:

Given what you are trying to do, and your available budget, I really think you should look into a dedicated 2 channel pre with onboard DSP and bass management for your sub integration and HDMI ARC for your Apple TV.  Then you can pair that with whatever amplifier takes your fancy.

 

This is why I purchased the Anthem AVM 90. Four XLR sub outputs and XLR outputs for the front two channels. Plus Anthem ARC room correction and bass management. It does seem some people don’t rate the AVM 90 and think there are better pre-amps I should consider.

[gillmaverick]

7 minutes ago, Wayneo said:

 

This is why I purchased the Anthem AVM 90. Four XLR sub outputs and XLR outputs for the front two channels. Plus Anthem ARC room correction and bass management. It does seem some people don’t rate the AVM 90 and think there are better pre-amps I should consider.

Anthem ARC is a great tool. It took me a while to get it right as I was used to Dirac and Harman curve. Now I have set up  my STR the same way using Harman + 6db bass curve. It sounds sublime. I suggest you create a separate ARC profile for music only and tweak the setting as per your liking. 

Edited January 29, 2024 by gillmaverick

[maximus]

@WayneoI wouldn't really worry about replacing the Anthem as yet, get the power amp sorted first, just be mindful of many SNA seasoned campaigners that have swapped out their dedicated 2 channel pre's for a device similar to yours......and with no regrets.

 

 

**Your comment on 'speed' is interesting. My biggest criticism of the McIntosh 601's was they sounded "slow", like they weren't keeping up.

 

It's a characteristic of the amplifiers, they're at the opposite ends of the spectrum to Naim, Exposure, Bryston. Known to be a better match with Paradigm, Sonus Faber, Totem and JBL to mention a few.

[sir sanders zingmore]

On 28/1/2024 at 2:12 PM, Wayneo said:

I have a pair of PMC 25.26i speakers. After starting with a Naim Unity Nova as an integrated amplifier, I added an Anthem AVM 90 so that I could connect my two JL Audio Fathom F112 v2 subwoofers. I like the sound of the Naim, however, there is no trigger input so as an amplifier solution for the Anthem it’s not ideal.

It is of course, loads of fun helping someone else spend $40k, but going back to your first post, it’s not clear (to me anyway), what the problem is. 
I may well be wrong, but as I read it, you are happy with the sound of the Naim-Anthem combo. The issue is the lack of trigger. Is that it?

If so, that seems like an awfully big budget! 

 

[Wayneo]

38 minutes ago, sir sanders zingmore said:

It is of course, loads of fun helping someone else spend $40k, but going back to your first post, it’s not clear (to me anyway), what the problem is. 
I may well be wrong, but as I read it, you are happy with the sound of the Naim-Anthem combo. The issue is the lack of trigger. Is that it?

If so, that seems like an awfully big budget! 

 

 

Not quite. Even though the McIntosh’s weren’t to my taste, they showed me there is more to be extracted from my speakers. The sound was fuller and more detailed. Just ‘slower’. 

[paulk]

10 hours ago, Wayneo said:

 

This is why I purchased the Anthem AVM 90. Four XLR sub outputs and XLR outputs for the front two channels. Plus Anthem ARC room correction and bass management. It does seem some people don’t rate the AVM 90 and think there are better pre-amps I should consider.

        

 

            Hi Wayneo,

                                 Just to put another cat amongst the pigeons. As another idea/suggestion you could change out the AVM90 for something like the Storm Audio ISP Core 16 processor or the Trinnov 16 or 32.    With your budget you could achieve this and possibly  trade in the AVM 90 and still have funds over to buy a really great power amp.

                                   I would add that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Anthem.  I had a MRX receiver which started me down a whole different direction regarding 2 channel and multi/surround sound due to the ARC Genesis that Anthem use.

                                   The main reason I mentioned the Storm Audio they are about to release their latest processors with Dirac ART which is supposedly the new standard for calibration.    Also this would enable you to run your system the same as present regards hdmi connection etc.   I presume the Storm and Trinnov would be a step up in sound quality from the Anthem. You would also have the addition of amazing multi channel music and surround sound for movies if you wish in the future.  Unfortunately I have heard neither processor. 

                                    I ended up buying the JBL Synthesis SDP 58 processor and love it.   The JBL comes with Dirac Live + Bass Control.   I am soon to have my system calibrated professionally and am very excited to hear the result.   The JBL replaced a PS Audio BHK Signature preamp and I enjoy the sound quality of the JBL more.    I have kept the PS Audio BHK 250 power amp as I love its sound.

                                     There is an interesting thread in the AV Receiver, Multi Channel Amps & Processor forum entitled "High end AV Processor advice"  Might be worth a read.

                                     Anyway sorry about the long rave but you have so many options open to you.  I thought I would just add this to the mix.

                                     This is just my opinion and I wish you all the best in your search.  

Regards,

           Paul

                                      

      

                                    

[POV]

I just don’t see the benefit of running a multichannel AV processor in a 2.2 system when you can utilise a dedicated 2 channel product and get the same (or even superior from a 2 channel point of view) connectivity and functionality.  It seems like spending money on a product that has to be at least some degree of sound quality compromise for a whole bunch of features and connections that won’t be used.  

[POV]

11 hours ago, Wayneo said:

 

This is why I purchased the Anthem AVM 90. Four XLR sub outputs and XLR outputs for the front two channels. Plus Anthem ARC room correction and bass management. It does seem some people don’t rate the AVM 90 and think there are better pre-amps I should consider.

 

It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the AVM 90, it’s just that in my experience AV/HT focussed products tend to pack a huge volume of features, and highly complex circuit board layouts etc and many of these connections and features go unutilised in a 2 channel focussed music system.  I get that you like the HDMI ARC functionality of being able to use the Apple TV remote to control volume etc  but this is available with a range of 2 channel products.  

 

But for me, the other reason I would look elsewhere is so that you can make the jump from ARC to DIRAC which with full suite of functionality is a significant leap in terms of functionality and performance.  Thats not to say that ARC is bad, it’s not, it’s a great consumer level product but it can’t possibly be expected to compete with the full version of DIRAC which is a dedicated DSP and Room EQ company.

 

If you want an example of a cutting edge product that you could look at suggest have a look into the new NAD Masters M66 which a few of us have pre-ordered and this will be a serious level up on your Anthem.  If you think about your current situation you could sell the Naim and the Anthem, add it to your $40k budget, buy the M66 (or similar) for say $10k and still have a huge budget for whatever power amplifier you like.  This is the way I would go if I was you.
 

Edited January 29, 2024 by POV

[Wayneo]

2 hours ago, paulk said:

 

                                 Just to put another cat amongst the pigeons. As another idea/suggestion you could change out the AVM90 for something like the Storm Audio ISP Core 16 processor or the Trinnov 16 or 32.    With your budget you could achieve this and possibly  trade in the AVM 90 and still have funds over to buy a really great power amp.

 

That Storm Audio ISP Core 16 looks pretty sweet.... hmmmmmm

[Wayneo]

2 hours ago, POV said:

If you want an example of a cutting edge product that you could look at suggest have a look into the new NAD Masters M66 which a few of us have pre-ordered and this will be a serious level up on your Anthem

 

NAD Masters M66 also looks like a really good option

[paulk]

Hi Wayneo,

                     With your budget, you are so in the box seat to put together a wonderful system.   It really just depends on which direction you head in.

                       I wouldn't think you could go wrong with either the Storm Audio and I'll bet the Nad is spectacular.   That wasn't available when I bought the JBL unfortunately. 

                        If you're up for a bit of serious reading regards Dirac Live ART the thread in Audio Calibration under the AV Receivers, Multi Channel Amps & Processors Forum is interesting.  It'll give you a heads up on what these processors are capable of system calibration wise.

                         I've yet to hear what Dirac can do but I'm very intrigued to hear the result.

                         Once again all the best in your search. 

Regards,

             Paul

 

 

[blakey72]

Wow that got expensive very quickly. Your PMC's can sound amazing, I'd be trying to get the best out of those before jumping into other things. It's not about how much money you throw at it, it's about getting the components and speakers paired correctly.  

[Philharmonic]

If you're patient and don't mind a bit (or a lot) of a wait, perhaps consider also the Luxman M900u or M10-x. They pair exceptionally with PMC speakers in my (and a couple of dealer's) experience.

https://theaudioexperts.com.au/products/luxman-m900u-power-amplifier

https://clefhifi.com.au/home/5213-luxman-m-10x-stereomomo-power-amplifier-coming-soon.html

One under and one just over half your possible budget. 

Edited January 31, 2024 by Philharmonic

[Irek]

My opinion is that there is nothing wrong with your amplifiers or speakers. It's a great system. Although, you should move speakers of the wall , even a 100mm will make a positive difference. Second, streaming is great for everyday background music, but high quality Cd player or transport is better for critical listening. 

And finally, get a second pair of speakers for the second amplifier, addicted to audio has Focal on sale for an unbelievable price. 

[blakey72]

I'd be bringing the storage units out to where the fringe meets the actual carpet (so sits on the fringe) and the speakers to the inside/camera side of the blue/green line on the carpet.  Then toe in the speakers so they point to 1-2m behind where you sit. That's a good start.

[POV]

Yep…the whole setup looks like it needs a total rethink, but I feel like a broken record on speaker setup and room acoustics.