Description

The Anthem STR Preamp has a wide array of I/O connectivity for a two-channel preamp. A full complement of balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs, Toslink and coax, as well as a USB DAC and balanced digital input (rare option) are bestowed upon this product. A network connection is included, which is there for firmware updates but more importantly it makes Anthem ARC room correction setup a breeze by allowing you to network to it without having to connect the calibration microphone directly to the unit. Very slick.  The top plate is more rigid than it looks. This thing just spews great build quality with no details left unturned including the radiused edges on the front panel.

The user interface is accessible via the 4-inch TFT display that boots up with the Anthem logo during power up that is akin to watching Window 95 boot up on a PC, although much quicker in Anthem’s favor. The menu options are extensive, allowing virtually endless configurations for speaker and bass management settings including level and delay control, and tone control. You can customize inputs source levels and assignments, as well as create virtual inputs (for a total of 32), to enable ARC on/off allowing for easy on-the-fly comparisons. The remote control has no backlight or display, but has all of necessary buttons to navigate the front panel OSD. It’s small enough to be mistaken for an Amazon FireTV remote which I’ve done in my theater room several times while reaching for it in the dark.

Some features that stood out to me as unique in this genre of product include:

• Advanced bass management options to accommodate 2 subwoofer outputs with independent level and delay adjustments (something not even their AV processor or receivers offer).
• Anthem ARC room correction.
• High-resolution ADC and DAC convertors with upsampling to 32 bit / 192 kHz resolution.
• Asynchronous USB Audio Input supports 32-bit/384kHz PCM, and DSD 2.8 / 5.6 MHz sources
• Six pre-RIAA curves plus adjustable settings for playing older records accurately.
• Home Theater Bypass Mode works without having to turn power on and includes RCA/XLR input for two subs.

STR Preamplifier
Type: Two-channel solid-state preamplifier with DAC

Analog inputs: Two balanced, both configurable for home-theater bypass; four RCA, two configurable for home-theater bypass
Digital inputs: Coaxial (2), optical (2), AES/EBU, USB

Phono inputs: Low-output moving-coil (100 ohm impedance, 61dB gain); high-output moving-coil/moving-magnet (47k ohms impedance, 41dB gain)
Formats supported: Asynchronous USB input: 32-bit/192kHz PCM and DSD 2.8/5.6MHz; coaxial, optical, and AES/EBU inputs up to 192kHz PCM

POWER CONSUMPTION
Standby: 0.38 W (120V), 0.45 W (240V)
Standby + Network: 1.1 W (120V), 1.2 W (240V)
Typical Use: 10 W

DIMENSIONS
Height: 3-8/9” (9.93 cm)
Width: 17” (43.2 cm)
Depth (not including power cord): 14-5/6” (37.69 cm)
Weight (unpacked): 16.8 lb (7.6 kg)