Anthem STR preamp vs Integrated amp preamp section

I just realized that I misspoke about the Preamp being "fully balanced" and should have said "truly balanced". As Quoted directly from our FAQ Page at this link:

https://www.anthemav.com/support/faq.php

It says:

Are the XLR connections on the amps and preamps truly balanced?
Yes. All three pins of the XLR connection are part of the circuit, which means it’s a real balanced connection. (If pin 3 is sent to ground or left open, as is sometimes the case, then an XLR jack is an adapter, not a balanced input.) The purpose of balanced connection is cancelling out certain types of interference and ground loops.

What about the whole circuit from front to back - is it fully balanced?
No. At some point the signal must become single-ended, or interference can’t be cancelled. This is better done sooner rather than later in the signal chain. The purpose of a balanced stage within a circuit is cancelling out nonlinearities arising in the circuit itself, and/or to double the signal level while cancelling out some noise. This is purely a means, not an end. We use a balanced arrangement in specific areas within a circuit where it makes a meaningful difference. Doing this to an entire piece of equipment for the sake of using the catch phrase "fully balanced" may achieve nothing but a significant increase in cost, or worse if the two halves of the circuit aren’t matched well.

Thanks, Either way, it appears the preamp is a much better or higher end piece of equipment basically.  Therefore, I should see sonic differences over using the Integrated's preamp correct?

Hi @cbrents73 - I'm curious if you have a line up refresh coming up, and/or major feature upgrades in the works ? Especially in your HT line.

Thanks,

Erik

dtximages = you are correct!

Hi erik - obviously, as a manufacturer, we are always working on future and next gen product, but due to this virus, we’ve had many things put on hold. I have to assume once we achieve some kind of normalcy, whatever that’s going to look like, we’ll resume with our R&D. HDMI 2.1 has also been a major hold up in development and all the major Receiver companies along with us and few other higher end brands who will have access to those new chipsets, have all been waiting for the standards to get approved.

I posted a thread in the Tech Talk forum here about HDMI 2.1 that have some good links to some brief YouTube videos from Metra with Jeff Boccaccio from DPL Labs who works on certifying HDMI Cables and Standards:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/hdmi-2-1-8k-great-explanation-of-where-things-are-right-now

Even If I had a solid timeline Erik, I wouldn’t be at liberty to comment - especially in an open forum such as this about any new products, so I hope you can appreciate and understand that. Typically, once our products are ready to launch, that’s when they get announced.

Some CE Industry Trade Publications that are good to follow where you can keep up with what manufacturers have going on are:
CEPro
Residential Systems
TWICE
Dealerscope

These publications report on more mainstream products - like when AudioQuest acquired Golden Ear Speakers - most of these publications were first to report that acquisition.

Thanks,
Chris

I was pointed to this thread while asking the same question but I have another;

I've ordered the Anthem STR Preamp and I have searched but not found if the STR Preamp supports iPod/iPhone playback or not. One feature I take advantage of with my Oppo HA-1 Headphone Amp/Preamp is iPod/iPhone support via USB.

Made for iPod®, iPhone® and iPad®
The HA-1 passes Apple's "MFi" certification and is compatible with the latest iPod, iPhone and iPad to be used as the digital audio output accessory of these devices. By tapping directly into the digital audio signal of these devices and converting the audio to analog using the high performance SABRE 32 Reference DAC, music from your favorite portable device will sound its best.

https://www.oppodigital.com/headphone-amplifier-ha-1/

I have all my CD's saved as Apple Lossless in iTunes and just plugging my apple device allows me to use the HA-1 DAC and bypass the iPhone or iPod DAC. Does the STR Preamp support this? I understand I would need an iPhone lightning to USB-B male or A to B adapter. The Oppo HA-1 works direct, if the Anthem doesn't work with a direct connection, would it work with an Apple CCK Lightning to USB Camera Adapter?

If not, or even if it does, how about using a USB stick with FLAC? Would this allow playlists, albums, etc? I am a bit surprised there isn't a Type A USB connection on the front.