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Anthem Integrated 225 $1600
(225x2)
Who says we can’t get full flavored music for mid-fi money? The Anthem I-225 integrated amp is an important product introduction. With a typical clipping performance of over 250x2, the conservatively rated I-225 provides major league gusto and quality at less than a stratospheric price. We’re going to assume you have some fine speakers already. If not, we’re going to assume you’ll soon visit Audio Emporium to get some! As we look to get the most from any speaker, all things being equal, there are only advantages to higher power. We offer fine amps from a variety of vendors, but there’s nothing quite like the I-225. The I-225 provides a combination of Herculean horsepower and fine nuance- at a very reasonable price. Before going further, just to get comparable performance in a power amp alone will run you $1500. The Rotel RB-1582 (200x2) would be such an alternative. The Anthem MCA-225 (225x2) runs $1500 as well. When you consider I-225 gives you comparable power and includes a fine preamp with MM phono, you can feel your pulse race a bit. The truth is, all speakers sound noticeably cleaner and more dynamic with boatloads of power. That’s what I-225 gives you better than anything else for $1500. It runs pretty cool too. I-225 is a full analog product. Both the pre and power sections are analog. The phono is analog. The volume control is motorized analog. The back lit remote is a smartie and will control other products. The power cable is detachable in case you want to go there. I-225 weighs 43 lbs. It’s a tank! Its heart is a massive Advanced Generation Toroidal Transformer. It has filter capacitance of 30,000uF. These are very low ESL-ESR Nichicon filter caps. These are fed by two precision voltage regulators. Amplifier topology is fully symmetrical complementary Class AB. It runs 6 bipolar output transistors per channel. Think 12 cylinders instead of the 4 most competitors use. It has MM phono in, one set of XLR ins and 5 other high level ins. It has two outputs, one is a preamp out, the other is a line level out. It has tone controls with a tone defeat switch. It has a ¼” headphone jack. It has an IPOD mini input jack on the front. The speaker connecting is done through heavy duty binding posts. 5 7/8h, 17 1/4w, 18d. It is currently available in black or silver. But silver is being phased out because black sells better 10-1. From GoodSound! Comparing I-225 to the NAD C372 (150x2 $1000): “The build qualities aren’t in the same league. The I-225 is 15 pounds heavier, and looks and feels like it. With its thicker, sturdier chassis and faceplate, it’s a far more substantial component that makes the C372 feel flimsy in comparison. The NAD sounded fatter and more rounded, whereas the Anthem had more bite and seemingly better control. The NAD C372 has a warm, friendly sound, but it’s not as refined or as precise as the Anthem. The Anthem costs 50% more, but in the final analysis was a clear step up from the C372, particularly when you factor in the features (including the excellent phono stage) build quality and power output. To me, that’s all worth it.”
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