Anthem STR "Convert Analog" sounds much worse

Thanks for telling us! We’ve all made mistakes, but not everyone admits them. So you have my respect for that.

I haven’t used the A-to-D conversion of the STR, but I was surprised it seemed a problem.

That -5 dB is probably a safety factor to keep from overloading the ADC, which could sound really bad.

P.S. Maybe your dealer would swap the T2 for a U1 mini + partial refund?

Thanks mike_in_nc   I bought it used.  I'm not convinced the T2 dac sounds that much better if any than my Anthems to be honest.  It'll take a lot more convincing that's for sure.  On the tracks I've tried, I cannot tell a difference at all.  Most all differences are my biases from what I've read about how great the T2 dac is.  

I've tried long term listening and short term a/b comparison.  I find myself convincing myself one is better... Then going back on that - thinking maybe it's just the track, resolution, mood, or maybe a plane flew over (landing path of DFW) ha.  

Ultimately, I think 97% of "this dac sounds soooo much better" reviews has to do with personal and situational bias.  

I'll say this much, I challenge anyone to say the T2 dac sounds consistently better an Anthem's STR, on any setup..  I just ask you to be aware of those silent personal/situation bias's going on in the back of your head.  

I want to hear a difference to justify the cost of the Lumin trust me!  I love being able to put value on money spent.... But right now, I'm unable to do that.

Also, this is a problem anytime settings are buried deep inside electronic menus. You can’t quickly scan the knobs to see if everything’s just right. When I read reviews of things now, I think of their monetary bias, and what combination of 1,546,541 possible settings they might have used.

Reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt, like political ads.

Wish list: big manufacturers you should take note:
 - an on screen display that clearly and quickly shows the current settings of all the important "stuff"

Amazing how archaic so many on-screen (tv) menus/displays are.

You have to set it up correctly before you make any judgments! Go through the entire setup routine then come back and tell us what you hear. I have never used the STR but I have been using room control and digital bass management for 20 years. If I switch to bypass it is yuk. My wife accidentally hit the bypass bottom. It took me 10 minutes to figure out what went wrong.

@dtximages-

Ultimately, I think 97% of "this dac sounds soooo much better" reviews has to do with personal and situational bias. 

Above a certain level of gear, I agree with you. I tried a US$50 DAC once, and though inoffensive, it lacked transparency. (I was relieved it didn't equal my more costly equipment.)

It will take a while to learn all the options and settings on the STR. I hope you will enjoy doing so and that you'll be happy with your results.

About a year ago, I surveyed available DSP preamps, and my finalists were the STR and the DSPeaker X4. After a home trial of the STR, I bought it and haven't looked back. I'm always seeking perfection, and nothing is perfect, but I don't know of another DSP preamp now being made that I'd prefer to the STR.