Robin
Well-known member
Well, after previewing the Anthem P2 at home. Then auditioning the, Cary Cinema X, the B&K 200.5, and the Simaudio Moon Aurora, amplifiers, in stores. With much thought, consideration and reseach, and soul searching, I've taken the plunge... I just took delivery of the, "Anthem Statement P5" amplifier, yesterday. It took me about 4 - 5 hours to set up, this 'Bad Boy', in my HT. As some of you know, my dedicated HT room is quite small (12'x11'x8'), a converted small bedroom actually. Thinking creatively, and out side of the box, was the only way, I was able to fit this huge, amplifier into my HT room. Mostly, because the of the wonderful build quality of the, "Omimount" audio equipment rack, I had purchased some time ago (Tom D., you know what I'm talking about).
http://statement.anthemav.com/HTML/Products/P_Series/P_Series.html
So, with the help of my big, strong son, I was able to place the Anthem P5 on the bottom shelf of the audio rack. Having replaced the glass shelf with a 1/2 inch. thick wooden shelf to hold the, 130 pound weight, of the P5 amp. I had to move my Pioneer VSX 59 TXi (80 lbs.) to a sturdy stand next to the Omimount audio rack.
It was all worth it, as the Anthem P5, has finially given my ML speakers their voice, at last... I never really knew what I was missing, WOW!!! The details the positioning of the instruments when I listen to music. Especially, with vocals. Eva Cassidy, Daina Krall and Natalie Cole never sounded better with my new, 'P5' powered, finially musical, stereo system. My Ascent i's, sounded as beautifully rich and musical, as when I had auditioned the Anthem P2, in my home, a couple of weeks ago. The P5 was very musical, rich bass and glorious vocals (Highs & Mids). I am going to start listening to more music, definitly! Musically, I agree, with some of the reviews of, Anthem P5, it's not a tube sound, but it is the very best SS sound of all of the amplifiers I had auditioned.
In comarision to the other amplifiers I auditioned, I found the Anthem P5 to be, much more powerful and translucent than the Cary Cinema X. More exact and attention to details than the, Cinema X. Their was not even any comparision between the P5 and the B&K. IMHO, I found the, B&K in be too harsh at times, too bright, brassy, to my ears. The B&K, added something to the sound..., in addition to the brightness, I want to say a darkness to the sound, I was hearing. My ears did not like it.
Now the, Simaudio, Moon Aurora, amplifier was the closest to the sound of the Anthem P2 and the P5. The Moon Aurora, has a beautiful dynamic sound with attention to detail and clarity of sound, both in music, and with movies. For me, it was between these two amplifiers - the Anthem P5 and the Moon Aurora. In the end, I had to choose the, Anthem P5, beacuse the sound was a little more filled-in, more clear / translucent and beautiful. I also, thought, the (individual monoblock) power of the P5, was needed for my ML speakers...
My ML speakers really sing, now... For HT and movies, I was literally blowen away, WOW..., The dynamic's, the precise placement of the sound effects, is truly amazing. For instance, I watched the first battle sequence of the movie, "Master and Commander", - Oh my god! I felt like,... I was there... really. With each bomb blast, I could hear every grain of sand and wood hitting the deck, of the ship. I think my, Pioneer 59TXi A/V reciever had been clipping or stressed beyond it's build capabilities, as this movie, was uncomforable to hear before, with the 59TXi... The Pioneer 59TXi, was actually hurting my ears, during the dynamic special effect sequences. The exact oppisit for the Anthem P5..., the sound of the battle sences were, 'life like' and realistic, natural, non fatiguing and very enjoyable.
I have my HT system set to, "THX Ultra 2", which as, I'm sure you guys know, means that all of my speakers are set to, "small", during movie watching. All bass sound go to my, ML Descent. For the first time, my Ascent i's, Theater i, and Script i's were brought foreward, into the sound track. I could actually hear no strain in the vocals, music or the special sound effects. The Descent and all the other ML speakers, easily and for the first time came together, bonding between the highs, mids and the bass for the first time. I know that the Anthem P5, made this movie experiance possible, on my system in my HT. The P5, gave my system real power, depth and quality.
IMHO, I believe, it is truly, the best purchase, I have made since purchasing, most of my ML's, alittle over a year ago...
I am sooooo tried though (in a good way), as I was up all night last night, listening to music and watching movies. I am tired and very happy, with my new Anthem Statement P5, amplifier. Somehow, I feel light and airy..., and then, I realize it's beacuse, I'm $5000.00 (USD) lighter...
PS - I really want to take the time to again, thank - Jeff, Dan, Roberto, Mark, Tom D, SugarMedia, EricE and especially Zip3k07 (Joe), and all the rest of the wonderful folk here, on the greatest web-site in the world, for all of your excellent advice , support and encouragement... I really appreciate it.
Now, it's off to dream land where I can start dreaming of a, Shanling SACD T200C, tubed CD player,
with visions of a CJ tubed per-amp., or a new pair of ML Summits
Sweet dreams...
-Robin
http://statement.anthemav.com/HTML/Products/P_Series/P_Series.html
So, with the help of my big, strong son, I was able to place the Anthem P5 on the bottom shelf of the audio rack. Having replaced the glass shelf with a 1/2 inch. thick wooden shelf to hold the, 130 pound weight, of the P5 amp. I had to move my Pioneer VSX 59 TXi (80 lbs.) to a sturdy stand next to the Omimount audio rack.
It was all worth it, as the Anthem P5, has finially given my ML speakers their voice, at last... I never really knew what I was missing, WOW!!! The details the positioning of the instruments when I listen to music. Especially, with vocals. Eva Cassidy, Daina Krall and Natalie Cole never sounded better with my new, 'P5' powered, finially musical, stereo system. My Ascent i's, sounded as beautifully rich and musical, as when I had auditioned the Anthem P2, in my home, a couple of weeks ago. The P5 was very musical, rich bass and glorious vocals (Highs & Mids). I am going to start listening to more music, definitly! Musically, I agree, with some of the reviews of, Anthem P5, it's not a tube sound, but it is the very best SS sound of all of the amplifiers I had auditioned.
In comarision to the other amplifiers I auditioned, I found the Anthem P5 to be, much more powerful and translucent than the Cary Cinema X. More exact and attention to details than the, Cinema X. Their was not even any comparision between the P5 and the B&K. IMHO, I found the, B&K in be too harsh at times, too bright, brassy, to my ears. The B&K, added something to the sound..., in addition to the brightness, I want to say a darkness to the sound, I was hearing. My ears did not like it.
Now the, Simaudio, Moon Aurora, amplifier was the closest to the sound of the Anthem P2 and the P5. The Moon Aurora, has a beautiful dynamic sound with attention to detail and clarity of sound, both in music, and with movies. For me, it was between these two amplifiers - the Anthem P5 and the Moon Aurora. In the end, I had to choose the, Anthem P5, beacuse the sound was a little more filled-in, more clear / translucent and beautiful. I also, thought, the (individual monoblock) power of the P5, was needed for my ML speakers...
My ML speakers really sing, now... For HT and movies, I was literally blowen away, WOW..., The dynamic's, the precise placement of the sound effects, is truly amazing. For instance, I watched the first battle sequence of the movie, "Master and Commander", - Oh my god! I felt like,... I was there... really. With each bomb blast, I could hear every grain of sand and wood hitting the deck, of the ship. I think my, Pioneer 59TXi A/V reciever had been clipping or stressed beyond it's build capabilities, as this movie, was uncomforable to hear before, with the 59TXi... The Pioneer 59TXi, was actually hurting my ears, during the dynamic special effect sequences. The exact oppisit for the Anthem P5..., the sound of the battle sences were, 'life like' and realistic, natural, non fatiguing and very enjoyable.
I have my HT system set to, "THX Ultra 2", which as, I'm sure you guys know, means that all of my speakers are set to, "small", during movie watching. All bass sound go to my, ML Descent. For the first time, my Ascent i's, Theater i, and Script i's were brought foreward, into the sound track. I could actually hear no strain in the vocals, music or the special sound effects. The Descent and all the other ML speakers, easily and for the first time came together, bonding between the highs, mids and the bass for the first time. I know that the Anthem P5, made this movie experiance possible, on my system in my HT. The P5, gave my system real power, depth and quality.
IMHO, I believe, it is truly, the best purchase, I have made since purchasing, most of my ML's, alittle over a year ago...
I am sooooo tried though (in a good way), as I was up all night last night, listening to music and watching movies. I am tired and very happy, with my new Anthem Statement P5, amplifier. Somehow, I feel light and airy..., and then, I realize it's beacuse, I'm $5000.00 (USD) lighter...
PS - I really want to take the time to again, thank - Jeff, Dan, Roberto, Mark, Tom D, SugarMedia, EricE and especially Zip3k07 (Joe), and all the rest of the wonderful folk here, on the greatest web-site in the world, for all of your excellent advice , support and encouragement... I really appreciate it.
Now, it's off to dream land where I can start dreaming of a, Shanling SACD T200C, tubed CD player,
with visions of a CJ tubed per-amp., or a new pair of ML Summits Sweet dreams...
-Robin
