Specifications

HDTV become more popular, surround-
processor manufacturers are finally placing
more emphasis on preserving the quality of
the video signal. The AVM 20’s video section
has a claimed bandwidth extending up to
100MHz, which should be more than wide
enough for 1080i/720p HDTV and, in theo-
ry, should be sufficient even for 1080p. To
preserve the purity of the component-video
signal path, the AVM 20 omits OSD from
that path. (OSD is available through the
composite and S-video outputs.)
In addition to serving as a control center
for audio and video sources, the AVM 20 is
also an FM/AM tuner and includes a high-
quality headphone output. The FM/AM
tuner has manual or automatic tuning, pre-
sets for 18 FM and six AM stations, and
simulcast capability. The headphone out-
put has its own discrete amplifier, and the
AVM 20 allows optional muting of the main
speakers when the headphone plug is
inserted. The front panel of the AVM 20 has
a logical layout, with a large volume control
and buttons arranged in groups according
to their function. The remote is the dis-
crete-button type, with backlighting, a
learning mode, and the ability to control
five different components.
Anthem PVA 7:
Description and Design
The AVM 20’s companion PVA 7 amplifier is
claimed to offer “both the finesse and the
instantaneous output power needed to
effortlessly reproduce the challenging vari-
ety of special effects in movies, or demand-
ing musical passages.” In keeping with con-
temporary thinking in amplifier design, it
uses the fewest number of parts in the sig-
nal path. The power supply has a 800VA
toroidal transformer, and low-ESL, low-ESR
filter capacitors with “an incredible 100,000
microfarads of storage capacity.” While I
don’t mean to imply that the PVA 7’s power
supply is in any way inadequate, I think this
description in the PVA 7’s product literature
represents a bit of hyperbole. By way of
comparison, the Rotel RMB-1075 is a 5-
channel, 120Wpc amplifier that uses a
1500VA toroidal transformer with a filter
capacity of 80,000µF, which, on a per-chan-
nel basis, is higher than that of the PVA 7.
In keeping with its relatively modest
price, the PVA 7 does not include balanced
inputs, but it does feature a socket for a
detachable power cord, input/output trig-
gers, and the option of being turned on
manually via the trigger input or, in the Auto
On mode, by any audio signal in one of the
channels. (In this mode, the amp turns off if
no signal is detected for some time.)
One of the challenges of designing an
amplifier for home-theater use is that peo-
ple tend to listen to movie soundtracks at
higher levels than music, and all those
explosions and car crashes place great
demands on the amplifier’s output capabil-
ity. To protect the output devices, the PVA 7
features a circuit called Advanced Load
Monitoring (ALM), which monitors tem-
perature, current, and voltage to ensure
that they stay within the safe operating
area. The ALM circuit is not in the signal
path, and does nothing unless it detects the
onset of unsafe operation, in which case it
limits the power output or, if the tempera-
ture is high enough, turns off the amplifier.
The AVM 20 and the PVA 7 both impress as
attractive, solid, well-built pieces of equip-
ment, their silver finish adding a touch of
elegance. (They’re also available in black.)
Setup
The AVM 20’s operating manual claims that
the factory defaults are such that system
hookup is basically “plug’n’play,” and this is
true to the extent that it’s not too difficult to
set up the unit so that you have some sort of
sound and picture. But to get anything like
the optimal performance will require read-
ing the manual and setting up the best
input/output configurations and selection
of various parameters. The manual—bet-
ter-written than most—has a section called
“Advanced Setup.” Though this sounds like
something only the most tweaky audio/
videophiles would want to bother with,
most of the setup instructions in this sec-
tion are essential to getting the AVM 20 to
work properly.
Like most surround preamp-processors,
the AVM 20 requires that you calibrate over-
all volume and individual channel levels
with the aid of an SPL meter, and set delays
SONIC FRONTIERS ANTHEM AVM 20 & ANTHEM PVA 7
Stereophile Guide to Home Theater