Anthem MRX 710 or Pioneer SC-LX88 receiver for 5.1 system

[hybridauth_google_112370865474665644907]

Hi,

A friend of mine has five KEF LS50's and an SVS SB2000 5.1 system, with Analysis Plus Oval 9 cables. Everything has been used for about 6 months now, so well 'worn in'.

He is now demo'ing both an Anthem MRX 710 and Pioneer SC-LX88 receiver at his place. Both receivers have had their room correction software run.

The Anthem sounds detailed but sounds quite harsh compared to the Pioneer for all types of music. Just wanted to know if anyone else found that about the Anthem?

We are a bit suprised and confused because of all the praise the Anthem has for musicality and being the best sounding AVR and closest to separates for music etc etc.

The Pioneer is smoother but is still detailed and much easier to listen to music at all volumes and for much longer duration too.

We tried music with room correction on, and then off. But in all cases, the Pioneer was the preferred.

So he is leaning towards getting the Pioneer. In fact, I am considering getting this exact same system also now that I've heard it.

But still curious to hear what others think. Especially if you've heard both the AVRs mentioned.

Many thanks

 

[The_Lhc]

If you both prefer the Pioneer why would you care what other people think, they're your ears, buy what sounds best to you.

 

[hybridauth_google_112370865474665644907]

Hi The_Lhc, completely agree. Just making conversation on a forum I like visiting

Curious to know if my ears are so different to everyone else's, since the Anthem gets all the 'best in class' awards for sound.

I'm ok with having different preference with sound to everone else.

It's just always interesting (to me) to see other's opinions at the same time.

Cheers again

 

[bigboss]

Personally, I found the Anthem to be brilliant with music with no harshness, and Pioneer to be clinical and bright.

But there's also something known as system synergy. Maybe the Pioneer pairs better with the Kef?

As The_LHC says, if your friend prefers the Pioneer, then that's the right receiver for him.

 

[michael hoy]

I tried the Anthem with my Monitor Audio Apex system along with a Pioneer SC-LX85 and I also preferred the Pioneer, not heard the newer Anthem receivers.

Some people do find the Pioneer to be on the bright side and prefer Denon or Yamaha for a warmer sound, but they did not suit my taste.

 

[ellisdj]

How are you feeding into the receivers??

Are you feeding music in digital via spdif or analogue via RCA.

It should be digital via spdif or maybe usb but not analogue via rca. Just checking.

 

[hybridauth_google_112370865474665644907]

Hi all, thanks for the comments.

Both Receivers had an Apple TV connected via an Analysis Plus HDMI cable, and Airplay to the Apple TV.

We even tried Apple TV > Peachtree DAC > Analysis Plus RCAs into both Receivers.

In all cases we found the Anthem way too much treble. You can adjust treble but we had to adjust it -8dB to achieve the same comfortable sound of the Pioneer, but wit that much adjustment it changed the overall sound of the Anthem also.

Wondering if anyone has heard these two receivers in particular and found the same?

 

[ellisdj]

Thats a weird way to listen to music to me - could you not feed them a direct stream over spdif from a cd player or even a PC??

Music over HDMI is not the way to go for ultimate SQ - but if thats how your going to use it then thats what you need to test.

 

[The_Lhc]

Music over HDMI is not the way to go for ultimate SQ

Really? It's a bit perfect digital transfer, care to share your reasoning for that statement?

 

[ellisdj]

HDMI is notorius for high levels of jitter and why no main manufacturers have properly implemented HDMI as a digital music oreintated input for their main equipment - AV Receivers a side.

Instead they have mostly gone with USB or SPDIF. USB has its own problems but there is a big market of products to fix these problems

I have done tests before not recently of hdmi vs spdif and spdif was a clear winner every time

Try both again using a good source such as a decent cd player or transport via spdif and see if the results are different?

However as I said before if you are going to listen to music that way then that test is all that matters and its your opinion is all that matters

 

[Deleted member 116933]

I think it would have somthing to do with the fact it carries more than just audio so the signal runs through to many processes before you hear it.

I would say put the connections where they say to put it on the amp. As it will be the shortest undesturbed path for that source.

I still think the best way is RCA leads, I have some cheap £20 (which i think are more these days i bought these in 98) QED original cables which still take some beating. Personally i find didital connections cold but we are taliking digital media here so understand a digitall connection is needed.

 

[ellisdj]

I think it would have somthing to do with the fact it carries more than just audio so the signal runs through to many processes before you hear it.

I would say put the connections where they say to put it on the amp. As it will be the shortest undesturbed path for that source.

I still think the best way is RCA leads, I have some cheap £20 (which i think are more these days i bought these in 98) QED original cables which still take some beating. Personally i find didital connections cold but we are taliking digital media here so understand a digitall connection is needed.

Feedign an analogue signal into an av receiver will be converted back to digital for dsp and other rubbish then converted back to analogue again.

This is very counter productive to good SQ and not the best opttion at all.

Especially with Pioneer av receivers as often the analgue input signal clips the A/D converter as is shown on the front in RED - this introduces distortion.

 

[nirvy111]

You should demo Denon as well if you can, x5200 or x7200 for example. I have the Denon x4100 and tested it with the Yamaha 3040 in my theatre room recently and really disliked the Yamaha, I didn't like the way it sounded at all. I thought it was unrealistic, with a shouty in your face kind of sound and an over active treble. The Denon is warmer more laid back and subtle, of course some might interpret this as boring and muddy so it all comes down to preference. I would love to get a Denon x7200 but it's too expensive. It should have quite a bit more power and improved clarity versus the x4100 with over all better performance while mainting the same sound signature I like with the Denon x4100. Even though I was very disappointed with the Yamaha 3040 it really gave me insight into what I like and what I dislike when it comes to sound and makes it an easy choice for me now, I'm sticking with Denon.

 

[rezam]

Hi

Have you found a solution to this ? I am having the same issue and wondering if it's theATV itself. Way too much treble and not enough bass. Using HDMI to an Anthem MRX.

Thanks!