I'd love to hear them. I agree with you on the high levels they might achieve and your hearing.but there are many compression drivers used in home audio, I am right now using a set of speakers with such. The P5 is stable all the way down to 2 Ohm loads and is prodigiously powerful. Have the Halos in cabinet with open back and the front has perforations (to allow IR signal to pass etc). For lower listening levels I prefer the tubed Anthem, but when needing to rock out a bit the PSound has the balls and headroom needed. So what are you asking for the Parasound? The huge transformers make themselves quickly apparent the moment one attempts lifting the MCA 525, which weighs in at a hulking 27.5kg, most of which is distributed at its front end. Anthem has announced the newest versions of its high-end multichannel home theatre and music audio hardware with the launch of the new MRX 540, MRX 740 and MRX 1140 AV Receivers, the AVM 70 and AVM 90 AV Processors and three GEN2 power amplifiers in the form of the MCA 225, MCA 325 and MCA 525 amps. Along with monitoring the internal temperature, Anthems Advanced Load Monitoring technology will also monitor current and voltage to shut down affected channels under clipping conditions, thereby protecting both the amplifier and any speakers attached to it. Related products McIntosh MI254 $ 5,000.00 Meridian G65 $ 5,500.00 Datasat LS10 225 W . Anthem knows a thing or two about building solid, high-current power amplifiers, with conservatively-rated yet still impressive specifications. True though, with the added power you would have plenty of headroom to play insanely loud! The JTRs are rated at 2200 watts, the A51 is only 400 watts at 4 ohms so thought it might be short on power. Look at Anthems AVM60. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Anthem's MCA 525 Gen 2 power amplifier is a sophisticated piece of engineering from the Canadians. Being designed to accompany the AVM series, the MCA 525 will pair perfectly with the new processors, so AVM owners neednt trouble themselves thinking about gain structure. I would, however, be remiss not to point out that, as astonishingly good as the Anthem sounded in my system, its sonic performance was indistinguishable from that of my Hypex NCore amps. Like all Anthem products the MCA 525, MCA 325 and MCA 225 . CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Input impedance 10 k unbalanced; 15 k balanced, Damping factor: 300, 20-1,000 Hz (Note: 300 should be more than high enough). Stereo setup: MSB Select ll DAC w/ 2 separate mono powerbases (PSU) & Femto 33 clock, Taeko Audio SGM Extreme music server; Clearaudio Statement v2 turntable, Statement TT tonearm, Statement Goldfinger cartridge & separate PSU; D'Agostino Momentum phono pre; Naim Statement NAC S1 linestage preamp & Naim Statement NAP S1 monoblock amps; Magico M6. It was probably plugged into a modified Delorean when that test was performed. You at some great distance from the speakers or reaching for ear damage? Parasound is known for its bass extension. Anthem's new MCA Power Amplifiers are available in 2, 3 and 5 channel configurations and would be a great match for the AVM70 and AVM90 A/V Processors that we recently previewed. I currently have and will use the Yamaha CX-A5100 Processor. Anyone wishing to rackmount one of these using the optional 4U rackmount kit will certainly need help unless theyve had their Weetabix. So it seems like all things considered the general opinion is A51 is the better amp, even though its 18 years older in design? Sheeuut! I currently have and will use the Yamaha CX-A5100 Processor. Near Philly. So, if you're looking for more power, the Parasound A21 is the way to go. Both, based on specs are no better than the AVR-X3700H, SR6014, and much worse than the X3600H measured by ASR, but I guess only golden ears know the difference in use. Next, let's take a look at distortion levels. The one notable practical difference was that the MCA 525 has higher voltage gain (29dB) than my amps (26dB), which meant I turned the volume up slightly less for a given SPL. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Hope many more users of these amps will chime in and provide their thoughts. The Anthem Mca 225 has THD+N of 0.05%, while the Parasound A21 has THD+N of 0.03%. Theres a similar duality to its sonic performance, with the Anthem capable of intimately detailed moments on the one hand and astounding dynamic transients on the other. The Anthem amp will integrate nicely with the MRX receiver, but not necessarily better. Sounds lateral and a waste of money to me. Anthem MCA 525 Gen 2 or Parasound A52+ (Decision Made) ar surround Jul 20, 2021 Help Support QuadraphonicQuad: ar surround 2K Club - QQ Super Nova QQ Supporter Joined Apr 3, 2010 Messages 4,255 Location New Joisey Jul 20, 2021 #1 I have decided to purchase a new 5 channel power amp and would like some advice from our forum members. alternates were Cambridge Azur 851 and Halo A21 and Audio Research 150.2.Thanks mancub1 09-10-2017 10:39am .120 dB Vs A51's 112 dB IHF A-weighted (Note: no idea what IHF is, probably an old standard, so this may be be an apples to apples comparison). Have an anthem MCA5 and have an issue with the centre channel right now where the dialogue for movie watching is choppy and cuts in and out when hooked up to my receiver but the same center speaker when hooked up to just the receiver never has that issue at all. Rating: 100 % of 100. . But that had no audible bearing on sound quality. All three share the same core construction and outward appearance, with the only difference being the number of channels. JavaScript is disabled. I have an Anthem AVM 60 with Halo A51 and A23, the Halo sounds great with the Anthem. The Anthem has specs for 2 ohms, the Parasound doesn't. Another good choice is Parasound, the A51 and A21. For evaluation I used the same demo material that Id listened to during my testing of the AVM 90 with my Hypex NCore-based amplifiers. Looking to replace my Yamaha MX-A5000 with one of the above 5 Channel Amplifiers. There is, however, a but as 3,895 is a sizable wad of cash for a five-channel amplifier. To complement the new AVM 90 and 70 A/V Processors, Anthem introduces the new MCA 525, 325 and 225 GEN 2 power amplifiers. The A51 weighs more and is Class A / AB. I would personally look at your preamp before the amp, especially because of the amps youre considering. As to that power, the Anthem is rated at (continuous) 225W into 8 ohms, 400W into 4 ohms, and an impressive 600W into 2 ohms. The amplifiers are all designed, engineered and manufactured in Canada. You must log in or register to reply here. Reality is that with accurate testing methods, good amps/AVRs dont alter the sound of the speakers. Read about our review ethos and the meaning of our review badges. Once hooked up, I started my testing with a bit of music via TIDAL Hi-Fi, namely the 2001 remaster of Fleetwood Macs The Chain. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Planning on using dual Captivator 2400s. Parasound has a great name but with my AVM-708k this should be a perfect match. Europe's busiest forums, with independent news and expert reviews, for TVs, Home Cinema, Hi-Fi, Movies, Gaming, Tech and more. Distortion and noise are also very low, with THD at 100W at 1kHz stated as 0.001% and 0.015% at 20kHz, and a signal-to-noise ratio of 120dB. The ability of the A21 and the A52+ to better render the bass content most likely comes from two things. You must log in or register to reply here. company number 03997482, registered in England and Wales. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Obviously, the McIntosh is considerably more then the other two. The new MCAs are intended to partner either of the superb new AVM processors: the AVM 70 or AVM 90. For Sale: JBL Studio 590's brand new, Local pickup, no separating. The Studio 590 uses the technology that JBL engineers developed for pro-audio loudspeakers to deliver accurate, powerful sound to your living room. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Camel Air Born: The MCA & Decca Years 1973-1984 (box set with 5 albums in 5.1 on blu-ray), MMH - New Atmos Decoder (beta) discussion, Multichannel Media Players, File Storage & Ripping, Tears For Fears "The Hurting" (SDE Blu-Ray #9 with Steven Wilson 5.1 & Dolby Atmos mixes! I don't care about footprint and I don't believe that the sound is better. This second generation of MCA multi-channel Class A/B power amplifiers builds on that reputation, although represents a complete ground-up redesign of the forgoing MCA series. Congrats Bill! Overall, the Anthem MCA 525 was just a little smoother from top to bottom at high volumes, but the NAD does provide two additional channels for only $500 more -- a not insignificant difference if you're contemplating a seven-channel system. Parasound is famous because of John Curl, as for Anthem, they have been in business for a long time. Not really an upgrade. Anthem's MCA 525 Power Amplifier is the flagship of the extraordinary MCA range which focuses on a single goal of obtaining leadership through innovation and technology. I guess you can make the highs softer but will that work to reduce ear fatigue? 1 Home Entertainment Tech Resource. Whilst not exactly A/B side-by-side testing, I reasoned that the comparison might bring to light any obvious differences in audio performance. The new MCA Series delivers lower THD (total harmonic distortion) for more clean, pure sound and lower noise for a supremely quiet background. Anthem MCA 325. If a speaker is naturally fatiguing by nature and design (the Klipsch RF-7 III's come to mind, seemed to have lots of bass and highs but no mids) then can EQ'ing adjust for this? AVForums.com is owned and operated by M2N Limited, Perfect passthrough of Ultra HD signals at up to 18.2 Gbps with Dolby Vision, HDR or Hybrid Log Gamma ensures optimal presentation of your visual media. It is outwardly elegant yet built like a tank. I'm wide open to suggestions. Im going to go out on a limb and say there probably isnt much in existence that is a true upgrade to the Parasound A51. Do you find them fatiguing? The future of Anthem's parent company Sonic Frontiers is a little uncertain. Yet for Anthem fans, particularly AVM 70 or AVM 90 owners, there is a lot to love here. I give Parasound a plug, but sorry I haven't heard both. I had forgotten about these. JavaScript is disabled. That's great feedback. A51 costs me $4K and I can get A5 for around $3K so does $1K is worth for that extra power and what extra or sound quality I am going to get with that extra money. Available in 5, 3 and 2-channel configurations, these new MCA amplifiers feature more robust and efficient power and . Which would be the better way to go and why? Anthem MCA 225 (Gen 2) 2-Channel Power Amplifier. System is kinda in transition right now, but pics to come soon (guts and arse too). Studio 590 | 250-watt, dual 8" floorstanding loudspeaker, Need help with floorspeakers and subwoofer configuration, Recommendations for Side, Rear, and Center Speaker Stands. British company IOTAVX knock it out the park! So not exactly full range. As the BBC Formula 1 bassline kicked in, each note hung in the air momentarily then decayed clearly and with tonal accuracy. What is your PayPal address? "Let our rigorous testing and reviews be your guidelines to A/V equipment not marketing slogans", Get our latest product reviews and AV stories emailed to you weekly. Support your locals eh? I deleted my post because of the comments WRT using the power but I hadn't looked at the specific models. $6,595. I have decided to purchase a 5 channel amp and like the Parasound HCA-2205AT, but haven't quite figured out what the differences are between the Anthem PVA or MCA models. What a difference a clean, high current 250+ watt amp makes with my Mirage! However, having separate Pre and Power usually leads to positive result. I have a full 7.2.4 Canton system, with Ventos 896, 866, 876 + Atelier 900 as Back and 4x Inceiling 980, 2x XTZ 1x12 subs, and a Marantz SR7012 AVR. I voted for Anthem because its the cheaper of the 2 options. It is outwardly elegant yet built like a tank. The new MCA xxx line appears to be more of a cosmetic effort to match the face plate aesthetics of the new AVM 60 than anything else to me. I can't believe they would rate the MCA525 2 ohms, that's not believable, not without caveat. I briefly owned an AVM60 as a potential replacement for my Classe SSP800, but unfortunately was no match in sound quality so I sold it. JavaScript is disabled. Emotiva XPA 3. I have been reading great things about the Parasound A 31 amplifier. Looking purely at the published specifications, I would guess they are more alike than different. It looks like it has 2X10 A slow blo fuses, that indicate it has two transformers with VA rating up to 750 VA each but not larger. ), My wish if I were a 30-40+ year old sealed LP - your latest NOS (New Old Stock) / sealed LP you bought, Dutton Vocalion - Surround SACDs from the UK, Multichannel Albums - Lossy Formats on DVD & CD. Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Class 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2. it did lead me to question the value proposition of the MCA 525. MCA 525 has worse numbers in the following: Slew rate: 30 V /second <1% THD at rated output Channel separation, 100 Hz to 10 kHz >65 dB Vs A51's Inter channel Crosstalk > 78 dB at 1 kHz > 63 dB at 20 kHz so I would say the A51's a lot better based on the typical shapes of XT vs freq., that the MCA's would likely be a few dB worse at 20 kHz. Orotund Desert Theater;11.7.4,Suspended Floor,14'x20'x10',100amp service,JVC-NX9,120" ATwoven Screen,Carada Masquerade Masking,OPPO203 & Panny ub820, Monolith HTP-1 Full DLBC,mini DSP-2X4HD,3 D-sonic Amps 2 M3a-61007ch,28007ch, ACInfinity Fans,L,R Polk SDA SRS-2.3TL,CC RTA-15TL's Fully Mod'd Crossovers,updated tweeters in Custom Cabinets,WS-SS-BSSBS Inwall Triad Silver LCR,4 Atmos Core5, Subs 4x JTR CAP-6000ULF,3xNearfields behind 1st row,2 Rows of 3 Seatcraft Excalibur Lx Seats & more. So theyre not quite telling the whole truth. I'm very happy with the results. Buy both. Yamaha's latest 11-channel power amplifier offers serious amounts of power to drive your Atmos home cinema system, but it also adds in the ability to bridge the front channels to add even more grunt to your two-channel music. Ive replaced them with a Rotel Rmb-1077. Not too impressed by that. Just a different look. The MCA 525 may cut out due to thermal protection if it gets too hot, and its just generally a bad idea to mix heat and electronics. So, for example, an 8 ohm speaker might have impedance dips below 4 ohms, or a 4 ohm speaker might dip below that, which can prove challenging for some amplifiers. Copyright 2000-2023 M2N Limited E. & O.E. I'll give you fifty bucks. It is a beautiful, muscle car of an amplifier, with sports car engineering. Or? Any input? "Let our rigorous testing and reviews be your guidelines to A/V equipment not marketing slogans", Get our latest product reviews and AV stories emailed to you weekly. You will go farther in performance doing it this way than the latter. Please Help! Of the three, go with the Parasound A51 to match with the Studios.. Having owned several Paradigm speakers and Parasound amps in different configurations, they are a near perfect match. A51's Inter channel Crosstalk > 78 dB at 1 kHz > 63 dB at 20 kHz so I would say the A51's a lot better based on the typical shapes of XT vs freq., that the MCA's would likely be a few dB worse at 20 kHz. What's not to like? MCA Amplifiers. . You must log in or register to reply here. another amp in the price range works great with M&K. That sort of collaborate with 2X750 VA transformers. And though the Anthems performance is truly wonderful, I'm not convinced that the same sonic performance couldnt be had for considerably less than the Anthems relatively steep asking price. Thanks for the feedback. Thank you for the adviceit is appreciated. I had the AVM50 processor and MCA-50 amp (older model). Theres also the expected 12V trigger option, as well a useful auto-on facility which powers on the MCA 525 when a signal is sensed. Obviously, the McIntosh is considerably more then the other two. Anthem 225 vs Parasound A21 vs Emotiva Xpa 7 Gen 2 Hey guys, I am looking for a very detailed sounding amp for Sacd playback.I am not interested in power output ,just smooth natural sound.These are my choices so far. I bought the Parasound Halo A52+. It is a slightly more capable amp it seems. . The Anthem Mca 225 has a power output of 225 watts per channel, while the Parasound A21 has a power output of 250 watts per channel. In addition, compression drivers aren't made for residential use. None of this will tax the MCA 525. To complement the NEW AVM 90 and AVM 70 A/V Processors, Anthem introduces the new MCA 525, 325, and 225 GEN 2 power amplifiers. Whether that's worth the change to you, don't know. I've got both and love them both. Add to Cart. Lots of other choices if youre thinking about buying one but if youve already got it and it functions well leave it to your kids when you die! Available in 5, 3, and 2-channel configurations, these new MCA amplifiers feature more robust and efficient power and heavy-duty reliability. All sounds good, I too really enjoy my Parasound amps. I would personally look at your preamp before the amp, especially because of the amps youre considering.