Anthem D2

[hockeyboy]

I couldn't find a thread reviewing the Anthem D2, and if my bonus is good I might be considering an upgrade. Can anyone tell me their likes and dis-likes of this expensive pre?

[Ferres]

Heres a review link for the D2;
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_13_3/anthem-statement-d2-8-2006-page1.html
Some would recommend the Integra DTC 9.8 instead. Performance is close to the D2 for far less. With the money you save you can then add a dedicated Stereo pre for music.

[hockeyboy]

In researching this, I just don't see that much bang for my buck compared to my Marantz SR8001. If I have a Blu-Ray player that is 1.3 compliant and my Marantz is 1.1 compliant it doesn't look like I get a huge value in changing to either.

Am I missing something?

[Ferres]

It will depend on the stuff you connect with the pre-pro. Power amp, interconnects, cables etc.

If you're not going hi-def yet, you should stay with your SR8001 :)

[mantis]

Heres a review link for the D2;
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_13_3/anthem-statement-d2-8-2006-page1.html
Some would recommend the Integra DTC 9.8 instead. Performance is close to the D2 for far less. With the money you save you can then add a dedicated Stereo pre for music.

Thats an intresting statement. The price difference alone is extreme. Anthem Statement can be compared to Krell, McIntosh , Lexicon etc and the Integra is a Japanese new preamp that has all the nessary processing for todays new audio formats. It's not much better then there receiver line. Actually it's not even in the same league.

But I get why one would say go for that preamp. I'm in that boat right now. I plan on testing the shit out of the Integra(try to leave my past experience with there products at the door). There is nothing else on the market today yet that has it's abilities. The next few months should be fun.

Dan

[cheddar]

I think one of the most interesting things is the point about being able to buy the 9.8 and a quality stereo pre for the cost savings. Kind of the best of both worlds giving a new meaning to the argument for separates...;)

[venomclan]

I would think it really depends on what the D2 would be essentially used for - HT, 2 channel, etc...

So far the 9.8 seems to be weak in the 2 channel arena. The D2 is a nice piece, but it better be at $6800.00. You can get a great performing pre/pro for HT and 2 channel for far less.
Venom

[mantis]

I would think it really depends on what the D2 would be essentially used for - HT, 2 channel, etc...

So far the 9.8 seems to be weak in the 2 channel arena. The D2 is a nice piece, but it better be at $6800.00. You can get a great performing pre/pro for HT and 2 channel for far less.
Venom

I so agree with you.

[Ferres]

Most of the complaints with the 9.8 is related to 2 channel. That's why I would recommend a dedicated 2 channel pre. :)

You could also take a different none digital processing path. Get 3 descent stereo pre-amps for pure analog, will work as long as the player can do all the audio codec processing. You will lose a lot of control as well as video processing but you'll get less of that digital sound some dislike. :)

[wingnut4772]

I used to have one. It was awesome.