Anthem Electronics has just released the next generation of the company’s popular home-theater-electronics lineup, including their newest high-end preamplifier-processor, the AVM 60. According to the company's October 14 press release: "added features for the AVM 60 include Dolby Atmos immersive audio decoding and future upgrade for DTS:X immersive audio decoding, support for UHD Blu-ray and 4K60 through HDMI 2.0a with HDR, HDCP 2.2 and 18.2Gbps switching. Other AVM 60 improvements include any source downmix to Zone 2 and the fixed-level line outputs, as well as expanded menu options for convenience and ease of setup. The AVM 60 includes two subwoofer jacks and a front USB port for software updates. The front HDMI input supports MHL, as does one of the seven HDMI inputs on the back."
The natural partnering electronics for the AVM 60 are the new MCA-series amplifiers. The new models are the MCA 525, MCA 325, and MCA 225, in five-, three-, and two-channel configurations, respectively. The new MCAs have been "completely redesigned for improved audio performance and reliability, and cosmetic matching. Careful attention was paid to every area for the new series resulting in upgrades such as using eight bipolar output devices for less stress on each device, no relays in signal path to reduce the number of moving parts which can fail, much reduced in-rush current on power-up with less line disturbance and reduced stress on internal components, and higher-quality connectors. For audio quality improvements, damping factor is considerably higher to eliminate the effect of speaker impedance variations on frequency response, and distortion is lower thanks to many improvements throughout including higher current output which is suitable for demanding low-impedance speakers."
If separates aren't your thing, Anthem has also released brand-new versions of their MRX-series home-theater receivers. According to Anthem: "the new generation of MRX A/V receivers feature many improvements over previous generations, such as Dolby Atmos immersive audio decoding, DTS Play-Fi and readiness for DTS:X immersive audio decoding. Additional channels of processing and amplification are also supplementary as you move up the line. Just as the model names suggest, MRX 520 includes five channels of amplification, MRX 720 includes seven channels of amplification and MRX 1120 includes eleven channels of amplification."
Estimated availability for all seven products is January 2016. The prices are as follows:
AVM 60: $2999 USD
MCA 525: $3499
MCA 325: $2499
MCA 225: $1999
MRX 1120: $3499
MRX 720: $2499
MRX 520: $1399
