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Emotiva or Anthem or Something Else?

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience comparing Emotiva to Anthem?

I am about to buy a new system for the livingroom that we are building over here.  This system in this space will be tasked with driving a 5.2.4 home theater system for TV and Movies but it will also need to provide excellent sound quality for listening to music. The sound quality for the music is a top priority.  The source material for this system will be Netflicks and Apple TV for the video content and Amazon HD Music for the Music.

I am considering either the Emotiva RMC-1L processor and XPA9 Gen3 Amp combo or the Anthem MRX 1140 8K.  The Emotiva combo is a bit more expensive and would also require a network streamer for Amazon HD Music which will be a bit more $$.

What is considered to have the better sound quality between these two options? 

Is there something else that I should be looking at?

 

128x128melchionda
soix
8,681 posts
 

Absolutely Anthem all the way.  Great reliability, room correction, and sound.  Emotiva has had issues with their processors, and I frankly wouldn’t trust them especially when there’s Anthem as an option.  If 2-channel is important you should incorporate a good stereo integrated using the front L/R preamp outputs on the Anthem.  No AVR can compete with a good stereo integrated.  Period. 

melchionda's avatar
melchionda OP
15 posts
 

Thanks.  Although I have read a bunch of reviews of people talking about issues with the software on the Anthem products too.  

How would I incorporate a separate 2 channel system via the Preamp outputs on the Anthem?  I was actually trying to figure out how I could do this but wasn't sure if it was a thing.  I almost feel like I need two systems.  A 2.1 system for music and a larger system for movies and such.

erik_squires
15,678 posts
 

I have exactly that system. Mrx 520 to Luxman 507.  Works great.

soix
8,681 posts
 

I almost feel like I need two systems.

Absolutely no, you don’t. You can seamlessly integrate a HT system and solely-functioning 2-channel system in one and change between the two with the push of one button.  All you do is hook the front 2 L/R preamp outs from your Anthem to the  stereo integrated and you’re all done.  Please ask if you need more details, cause this is absolutely doable and easy.

d 

 

melchionda's avatar
melchionda OP
15 posts
 

That sounds interesting. Would you mind giving me more detail on how that could work? Maybe with some specific components of your choosing? I’m getting all new gear except for the speakers so open to suggestions. I do currently have all of the speakers and one thing that needs to be factored in is that I have four self powered sub woofers that would be shared between the two speaker configurations. And would I need a speaker switch box?

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