Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
#176285 09/11/07 07:29 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
Has anyone heard or is currently using a Anthem MCA 20? I'm considering buying one after I get my hands on a set of M80's. It's either the Anthem or Emotiva RPA-1. I prefer the Anthem over the Emotiva, solely because I have a local dealer.

Thanks


The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
Ya_basta #176286 09/11/07 08:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
What are you going to use as a Prepro?


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
SirQuack #176287 09/11/07 08:50 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
Denon AVR-3801


The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
Ya_basta #176288 09/11/07 09:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
I can't help you with the Anthem/M80's compatiblity. I know Chesseroo has m60's, but the m80's are a different animal. Most likely you will be fine. I had to exchange my Emotiva MPS-1 back in and I now own Odyssey monoblocks, could not be more happy.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
SirQuack #176289 09/12/07 02:51 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
What did you pay for a set of Odyssey Mono blocks? They are pricey amps direct from Odyssey audio. What is the wattage rating with a 4 ohm load? What do you think about the 2200 Outlaw Mono block?

Thanks


The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
Ya_basta #176290 09/12/07 08:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
I had Klaus build me some Khartago Extreme Mono's custom. It is not all about watts, current and capacitance is important as well. Basically they are Stratos Extremes in Khartago cases. For the quality of amp your receiving, they are very affordable. They are basically the same thing as the German Symphonic Line, and my same amps would cost US$4-5,000 in Germany.

I really don't want to disclose the price I received from Klaus, but it was a great deal for what I received. Can't help you with Outlaw, I looked at them once, but never purchased them once I found Odyssey.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
Ya_basta #176291 09/12/07 09:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 683
aficionado
Offline
aficionado
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 683
I've got the Outlaw monoblocks powering my M80's and I'm happy with them. No issues with shutdowns. I HAVE driven them to clipping while testing their limits, but no shutdowns to date.


Epic 80 / SVS PB13 Ultra
Denon 3805 / M2200 Outlaw Monos /
Sammy 55" LED
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
Spoiler #176292 09/13/07 03:19 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
I listen to music virtually all day in the background at very loud levels, although I don't think I've strained my Denon which is currently driving Paradigm Monitor 9's (until I get my hands on a set of M80s). It's never shut down anyway. Did your amp's start clipping at an insane level? Do you listen to music for extended periods of time? Sorry for all the questions, but the help is very much appreciated. So much to consider and available when making an investment.

Thanks


The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
Ya_basta #176293 09/13/07 07:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 683
aficionado
Offline
aficionado
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 683
Hi Wheelz. I don't listen for 'extended' periods of time. Mostly in the evenings when I'm home, cranking it up only occasionally. When I was testing the clipping occured at approx. 120db at 10ft., with the speakers set to large (full range), and no sub. Mind you, that's a very uncomfortable level at that distance. The clipping was in the form of 'popping' from the woofers on bass drum hits.

I was able to eliminate the 'popping' by setting the mains to 'small', crossing at 80hz. Again, those are crazy levels for my particular listening area.




Epic 80 / SVS PB13 Ultra
Denon 3805 / M2200 Outlaw Monos /
Sammy 55" LED
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
Spoiler #176294 09/13/07 09:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
And everyone thought I was crazy listening to various music with 110dB dynamic peaks from 13ft away in my 8,000 cu ft room causing my Emotiva MPS-1 to keep shutting down, just should not happen when driving 80's. Anyway, my Odyssey monoblocks just keep going and going and going, wait, that is a battery commercial.

Last edited by sirquack; 09/13/07 09:28 PM.

M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
SirQuack #176295 09/13/07 09:47 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
Just because someone else is insane doesn't prove that you aren't.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
SirQuack #176296 09/13/07 10:53 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
Quote:

And everyone thought I was crazy listening to various music with 110dB dynamic peaks from 13ft away in my 8,000 cu ft room causing my Emotiva MPS-1 to keep shutting down, just should not happen when driving 80's. Anyway, my Odyssey monoblocks just keep going and going and going, wait, that is a battery commercial.




My pockets aren't as deep as yours :-)


The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
Ya_basta #176297 09/13/07 11:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 116
M
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
M
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 116
The higher the SPL, the greater the hearing damage, resulting in a need for a more powerful amp and larger speakers, resulting in more SPL and more hearing damage...well, I think you all get the drift.

Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
Mojo #176298 09/14/07 01:21 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
yes, but no distortion or clipping at higher levels is far less hard on your hearing than the opposite. I have found that I can listen to music at higher levels for hours now with no fatigue, where before good seperates this was not true.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
SirQuack #176299 09/14/07 03:01 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 116
M
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
M
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 116
Randy, very true but you are nevertheless a candidate for this. Just turn it down to a half watt and you'll be fine .

Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
SirQuack #176300 09/14/07 05:28 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
Randy, actually no, that isn't true at all, and can be a dangerous misconception. Hearing damage is caused by the dB level and isn't any less harmful if it happens to be with low distortion. Whatever "fatigue" is(I've never experienced it)it involves a separate question from hearing damage.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
SirQuack #176301 09/14/07 11:03 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 683
aficionado
Offline
aficionado
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 683
Quote:

yes, but no distortion or clipping at higher levels is far less hard on your hearing than the opposite. I have found that I can listen to music at higher levels for hours now with no fatigue, where before good seperates this was not true.




Ok, but remember that I was testing those levels ONCE, shortly after I got the amps. Listening for hours....nope.

90db to 100db for a while maybe...


Epic 80 / SVS PB13 Ultra
Denon 3805 / M2200 Outlaw Monos /
Sammy 55" LED
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
SirQuack #176302 09/14/07 04:17 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745
Likes: 17
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745
Likes: 17
Quote:

I can't help you with the Anthem/M80's compatiblity. I know Chesseroo has m60's, but the m80's are a different animal. Most likely you will be fine.



And indeed you will.

Anthem makes excellent amps and the MCA line is spec'ed for 4 ohm speakers.
http://www.anthemav.com/newsitev2.0/AnthemProduct/MCASeries/MCASpecs/MCASeriesSpecs.html

However, keep in mind that the louder the speakers go, the more power required to keep them out of distortion ranges. KNOW THE LIMIT OF YOUR AMP AND SPEAKER COMBO.
Once you know that limit, never exceed it.
If you want to exceed it, you have to pony up more cash for much larger or more expensive amps. Even the new Axiom amps coming out that tout tons of power will be far more expensive than the Anthem MCA20 which can be found used for $400-600.

You can see my thoughts on choosing between a Parasound Halo and the Anthem MCA amps in this personal review.


"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
chesseroo #176303 09/14/07 04:21 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
To be fair to Parasound, I suspect that those issues have been worked out; I did not hear a hum on either of the sets of Parasound Halos that I have heard (Dennis's or Sunil's).

And they're pretty...


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
Ken.C #176304 09/14/07 04:45 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745
Likes: 17
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745
Likes: 17
Did they have the A23 though or the larger units?
I figured it was noise coming from within the small A23 enclosure. The Halo line actually had similar noise issues with one of their other components which was actually mentioned by Paul over at the Hometheatrespot when he first reviewed the new Halos.
Parasound commented on applying a fix for the noise by adding some internal reflective material but again, this was not for their A23 amp.
I really like the Halo amp and may buy one used at some point so i can do components tests more easily with their line adjustable gains on the rear, something i haven't seen in any other amp yet.
It was truly feature packed for a good price.


"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
chesseroo #176305 09/14/07 05:11 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
Ah, I think they have the larger units.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
JohnK #176306 09/15/07 01:00 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 116
M
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
M
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 116
A square wave contains twice the energy of a sinewave with the equivalent peak. So Randy is correct in saying that a square wave is harder on the ears.

I do agree with Johnk though that listening to "loud" levels with or without distortion is good for all of the audiologists out there .

Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
Mojo #176307 09/15/07 01:25 AM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
With twice the energy, wouldn't a square wave sound -- and actually be -- louder than a sine wave of equivalent amplitude? We are talking about average SPL here, aren't we?

Re: Anyone heard or own a Anthem MCA 20?
pmbuko #176308 09/15/07 01:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 116
M
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
M
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 116
Yes. Since a square wave contains twice the energy, of course it's louder.

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,945
Posts442,484
Members15,617
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
1 members (Cork), 1,306 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4