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General Asylum: REVIEW: Anthem Pre 2L Preamplifier (Tube) by mcdonald.robert@mayo.edu General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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129.176.151.122
Model: Pre 2L Category: Preamplifier (Tube) Suggested Retail Price: $1600 Description: Tube Pre-Amp from the late Sonic Frontiers Manufacturer URL: Anthem Manufacturer URL: Anthem
Review by mcdonald.robert@mayo.edu ( A ) on July 01, 2002 at 23:53:26
IP Address: 129.176.151.122Add Your Review
for the Pre 2L
I purchased this unit used for a fair price and replaced my Lexicon DC-1 as my 2-channel preamp, as I have split my 1 room system into music and HT components... After letting the unit break in (the former owner used the Anthem for a few hours then bought a SF Line 3 instead), I noticed a few things - cleaner more defined soundstage boundaries with better separations between musical "events"... If that makes any sense??? More to the point, the Anthem presents a much better 3D soundstage and places the distinct elements of a song in a more convincing manner than the DC-1... Before music had great horizontal soundstage, but now it seems like music has layers!!! A great improvement!Other nice touches:
HT bypass on the remote - using a unity gain input, a music and HT system can exist in the same room!
Excellent construction
The Bad news:The volume control is terrible - even at the 8 db gain setting, the remote cannot finely tune the sound.
Bass is less robust vs solid state preamps.
I have yet to roll the stock tubes, but I understand that the unit will only sound better when the Svoteks are tossed.
Product Weakness: Volume (remote). Product Strengths: Soundstage, smooth without being muddy, HT bypass
Associated Equipment for this Review: Amplifier: NAD S200, Anthem MCA-3 Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Anthem Pre 2L, Lexicon DC-1 Sources (CDP/Turntable): NAD S500 --> CAL Sigma Tube DAC Speakers: Paradigm Studio 100 v2, CC, ADP's Cables/Interconnects: MIT T2 Biwire 2000's, MIT 330, MIT digital reference Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, Jazz, Vocals, Trance, Ambient, techno, 80's (yup - I'm an 80's junkie) Room Size (LxWxH): 20 x 14 x 9 Room Comments/Treatments: none Time Period/Length of Audition: 4 months Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster Power HTS 2000, Loewe Calida HDTV (the best TV I have ever seen at ANY price) Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
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Topic - REVIEW: Anthem Pre 2L Preamplifier (Tube) - mcdonald.robert@mayo.edu 23:53:26 07/1/02 ( 2)
- Re: I have a similar problem with the ARC LS-16 pre. NT - Jack L. 20:15:08 07/2/02 ( 0)
Anthem Pre 2L Preamplifier (Tube) - Scott Redman 17:58:34 07/2/02 ( 0)