Anthem Statement M1 Class D Monobloc Preview

In the world of high-end audio, Class D amplifiers hold a very strange place. They've been on top for a while when they were brand new and everyone wanted one. Then they sort of fell out of favor and everyone went back to their Class A or A/B amps. But the fact is that there is a lot going for a Class D amp typology. They are smaller, lighter, and much more efficient than their brethren. But, according to Anthem, the problem with Class D has not been the technology, but the implementation. From their website:

Contrary to the bias that exists among high-end enthusiasts and across the industry in general, the Class D design is not inherently flawed. The truth is that no existing designs have been able to reach the Class D's inherent potential for performance. It is not the technology that yields fine audio performance but rather the implementation of the technology. At Anthem, we agree that most Class D amplifiers are poor performers.

Of course, the Anthem solution is different and resolves these problems. First, let's take a look at the amplifier.

The traditional high quality five-way binding posts for speaker connection is available on the back of the Statement M1 as are RCA and XLR inputs. The Statement M1 can be activated by the incoming signal (auto-sensing) or by 12volt triggers. There is a circuit-breaker reset on the back as well as a port for the power cord. Interestingly, the Statement M1 uses a two-prong power cord. While that may seem odd to some users, it is something we prefer. While more difficult to design for, the two-prong power cord means you won't have to worry about ground-loops.

Of course, the thinness of the Statement M1 will immediately strike the consumer. With deep heat sink fins on the sides, the Statement M1 manages to be only a single rack space thick and can be stacked. This makes it very easy for installers to put together a system for a potential customer. Given it's size (2 1/4 inches high with feet, 19 1/4 inches wide, and 18 3/4 inches deep), the M1 weighs a hefty 20 pounds.

As you might expect from a Class D amplifier, the Statement M1 is no slouch in the power department. At 2000 watts into 4 ohms, 1000 watts into 8 ohms, and rated continuous from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at less than 0.1% THD+N, those numbers gain additional significance. According to Anthem, the M1 can deliver 2 kW continuously when fed by 240V mains and 2 kW for several seconds when fed by a dedicated 120V 15A line. It is also rated stable into any load (though it may go into protection mode rather than allow itself to be damaged). Unlike other Class D amps, the M1 is perfectly stable into an open circuit and operates perfectly into a short circuit until the current limit is reached. When it is, the M1 will simply shut down and resume playing a few seconds later.

Anthem spends a good deal of their website explaining why their Class D amp doesn't suffer from the problems of other Class D designs. Basically, these are the design goals they were looking to achieve (and, according to them, succeeded):

• Full resolution of all of the sonic subtleties and complexities in the input signal.
• Accurate reproduction of the full dynamic range of the signal
• Output stage is never allowed to clip
• No compression as output increases
• Flat frequency response into any load, without having to resort to digital conversion or equalization to compensate
• Stable into all loads including open circuit and short circuit
• A low noise floor
• Exceptional efficiency with low heat output
• An amp so mechanically silent it will suit even the quietest listening room
• A design that allows multiple units to be stacked with no danger of overheating
• All of the above delivered at a price point that while not inexpensive, delivers virtually limitless dynamic fidelity!

That last bit is probably going to be the sticking point for consumers. At $3500 each, Anthem is certainly making a Statement with the M1. And that statement is that they believe that they've made the best Class D amp on the market. While you could use a more inefficient Amp that might cost less, you'd be dealing with a much larger box, a lot more heat, and, potentially, much less power at your fingertips.

Conclusion

While we're not sure how well the Statement M1 will sell, it certainly looks good on paper. Given the 2000 watts of power with a highly efficient Class D design, it certainly will turn heads. Anthem set an impressive list of design goals for themselves and they believe they've achieved them. If so, you may be looking at an amp that will require much less space, can be stacked, outputs more power with less heat, is stable into any load, and sounds as good as any analogue amp. Is that worth $3500 per channel? We're guessing to many high-end users, it is.

For more information, please visit www.anthemav.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.