Anthem 225 Integrated Initial Impressions

[Jack in Wilmington]

I picked up the Anthem on Friday night and spent that night listening to some of my audition material on the Jolida. On Saturday morning, I began the task of taking the Jolida out and putting the Anthem into the mix. Neither of these amps are light by the way. I got the Anthem about 3/4's of the way onto the shelf and with mirror and flashlight got all the connections hooked up.

First up I played Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 from HD Tracks. This is a new addition to my audition music in the last couple months. I noticed right away that the music had more body and presence. What really floored me in the 4th movement was a part where the orchestra is building to a very moving part of the piece and a strong bass line comes in from the right speaker that I always thought was from the horn section and now I hear it and it's actually the kettle drums. Ummmm.

Next up some female vocals. I choose some Shirley Horn from her "You Won't Forget Me" CD. Shirley's voice was its usual mellow self, maybe not as warm as through the Jolida, but her piano was definitely on the same part of the stage as she was. That was not the case with the Jolida as her piano always sounded farther back in the soundstage.

Next I was back to Beethoven for his Piano Concerto No. 4. The 3rd movement is always one of my favorites. I played my two of my favorites. First was Jiri Belohlavek conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra with Paul Lewis at the piano and the second is Christoph Eschenbach conducting the Orchestre De Paris with Lang Lang at the piano. Both different renditions of the same piece and both had a greater command of my listening space as the piano seemed to almost take over the room.

I'm just starting to get into some sax pieces and clarinet. Trumpet should be interesting as I find it can be blaring sometimes, depending on the equipment.

When I listened to Renaissance for instance I preferred the Jolida's presentation. Some of the piano came across as harsh. Like John was banging on the keys rather then just playing them.

Lots more to listen to, but so far it's been quite eye (or ear )opening.