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Anthem STR or Lyngdorf TDAI 2170?

I recently moved house and went from a listening space that was pretty generous to my current setup (Cronus Magnum II + B&W 805D3s) to one where the soundstage sounds really flat and underwhelming. Because we watch a lot of movies, I’ve also been running an integrated (Rotel 1592) and using a splitter to switch between that and the Cronus depending on the source (music or movies).

It’s a lot of equipment and wires for a small space and, given how lackluster the sound is, I want to consolidate everything by leveling up to an integrated with room correction.

I’m stuck between an Anthem STR or a Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 (or 3400 if it’s leaps and bounds better than both).

Reviews and comments on both are equally impressive. Has anyone sampled both and have a POV on which I should go with?
jwh2
mike_in_nc
1,198 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara : I also have a miniDSP SHD, and it is a tremendous unit. Since I have them in very different systems (STR Preamp in high-end system, SHD in TV system), I can’t compare sound quality directly. But here are a few things to look at:

Anthem STR pluses:
  • Computing at 192 kHz (vs 96 kHz)
  • Tone, balance, sub level controls (none on SHD)
  • Bigger display
  • Simpler setup and correction (done through network - no need to connect computer or mic to STR directly)
  • Better user interface
  • Phonostage (MM and MC)
miniDSP SHD pluses:
  • Includes a streamer (renderer)
  • Lower price -- an incredible bargain
  • Dirac is somewhat more flexible than ARC in setting target curves
  • Mic can be recalibrated by 3d party if you want
Good luck with the decision!

P.S. the SHD is miniDSP’s latest, so may be better than some of their other solutions? ALSO, I have looked into Acourate for years. My conclusion was, it was far too complicated for me. Others say it gives the best results, which I suppose it may well do. The developer is a perfectionist and extremely knowledgeable. However, the documentation is not easy, and setting it up is complex. Well, you will examine it and decide for yourself.
yyzsantabarbara
5,123 posts
 
@mike_in_nc  Thanks great post. Your comment about Computing at 192 kHz is interesting since the Macintosh version of RoomPerfect on the men220 is supposed to be at 96 kHz and the Lyngdorf 3400 at 192 kHz. Some comments I read on A'gon about both units state that the Lyngdorf 3400's version of Room Perfect sounds better.
gosta's avatar
gosta
839 posts
 
I believe Lyngdorf room correction only works up till 500 Hz. This may not be true for the 3400. With ARC you can choose yourself up to 20 Khz. Fine for "hot" speakers or if you don’t want the warm sounding bump lots of speakers have in the region 400 - 1500 Hz. Also other adjustments are at your disposal. Also trust the ARC measurements more. Lyngdorf "Normal" mode is not flat. Have had both for a long time and don’t use my Lyngdorfs since I started with ARC. Buy a cheap MartinLogan Unison and try it between your source and DAC. For specific frequency adjustments I use an Antimode 2.0, Would want a Trinnov...
yyzsantabarbara
5,123 posts
 
@gosta What you say does not match what I heard from a dealer regarding ARC and Room Perfect. However, I think I your observations are likely to have a better chance of being more accurate. Thanks for the feedback.
mi4
66 posts
 
@mike_in_nc the STR Separates (Pre Amp and Amp) will offer a better sounding solution compared to the STR Integrated.  I have both set ups.  The Separates are in my main systems with a pair of Paradigm Persona 9h Speakers and an Innuos Zenith MKIII.  The STR Integrated is in my Den with a pair of Paradigm Persona B’s and an Innuos Zen MKIII.  I have not performed an A/B test with the Separates and Integrated.  That said, the DAC and Phono Stage in the STR Pre is better compared to the Integrated.  The STR Amp offers more power than the Integrated.  Whereas the Integrated presents a very nice solution (and I personally really like it), if the budget permits you would be better off with the Separates.  Good news is that there is not a bad option between either solution.  
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