Audio Video News

Never a company to rest on its previous accomplishments, Mississauga, Ontario-based Sonic Frontiers International is pushing the limits of home theater performance with the Anthem AVM 20, its newest multi-zone preamplifier /processor/tuner. With inputs for up to 7.1 channels of audio, and full bass management capabilities, the AVM ("Audio Video Master") is certain to please the most exacting movie and music fans.

Shipped to dealers in September, the AVM 20 is THXR-Ultra certified preamp/processor features both Dolby Digital and DTS, as well as Home THX¨ Cinema and THX¨ Surround EXª signal processing. The back panel has both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA connections for up to 7.1 channels. Unlike many surround processors, the AVM 20 is equipped for full bass-management of all DVD-Audio and multi-channel Super Audio CD recordings. Most competing products do not allow users to control the low and high pass crossover frequencies, speaker setup sizes, or subwoofer settings when listening to high-resolution recordings.

The AVM 20 has headphone output, and can be used as a multi-zone controller for up to three separate systems. An internal analog-to-digital converter allows the transfer of analog recordings onto digital media using an external recorder. An outboard phono stage is available as an option. The faceplate can be obtained in either silver or black finish, as buyers prefer.

High-rez video is also supported by the AVM 20, with ultra-wide bandwidth to 100MHz. The new Anthem processor can switch 1080p and other high-definition formats with no image degradation, according to Sonic Frontiers. The heart of the AVM 20 is Motorola Digital DNA 56366 digital signal processing chip capable of operating at 120 million instructions per second ("MIPS"). Programmable settings are password protected to prevent accidental erasure.

The Anthem AVM 20 retails for US$3199, and is available at Sonic Frontiers dealers throughout North America.