Anthem General Technical FAQ

Welcome to the Anthem General Technical FAQ. Here, we address common questions about connections, power, interference, and real-world performance for our amplifiers, preamps, and home theater systems. Whether you’re troubleshooting noise, choosing the right cable, or understanding system behavior, these answers are designed to give you clear, practical guidance so you can get the most from your Anthem equipment.

Table of Contents

• 1. Connections & Signal Paths
  • Q: Are the XLR connections on Anthem amps and preamps truly balanced?
  • Q: Which analog audio connection should I use: RCA or XLR?
  • Q: I want to bi-amp my speakers. Can I use RCA outputs for some amp channels and XLR outputs for others from the same preamp?
  • Q: Does Y-splitting the preamp’s audio output damage the signal?
  • Q: Which digital audio connection should I use: optical (TOSLINK) or coaxial (RCA)?
  • Q: Can I keep the front L/R outputs analog-direct while a sub channel is processed in DSP?
• 2. Power, Consumption & AC Circuits
  • Q: The specs say the amp uses “X watts.” Does that mean it draws that much power all the time?
  • Q: The power amp and subwoofer are rated at 15A each, but my room only has one 15A circuit. Is that a problem?
  • Q: Why do Anthem power cords have two prongs instead of three?
• 3. Ground Loops, Noise & Interference
  • Q: I’m getting a hum/buzz in the speakers, or horizontal bars in the video. What’s causing this?
  • Q: I can hear excessive buzzing from the transformer or speakers from a distance. What could be causing this?
• 4. Content, Dynamics & Listening Experience
  • Q: When I watch movie channels, some movies are much louder than others even with the same volume setting. Why?

1. Connections & Signal Paths

Q: Are the XLR connections on Anthem amps and preamps truly balanced?

Yes. Our XLR connections are fully balanced—all three pins are active and part of the circuit.

If pin 3 is tied to ground or left open (as is sometimes done on other products), the XLR jack is effectively an adapter, not a true balanced input.

The purpose of a balanced connection is to cancel out noise, interference, and certain types of ground loops, especially over longer cable runs.

Q: Which analog audio connection should I use: RCA or XLR?

• For short runs (around 3–6 feet) in a typical environment, RCA is usually fine.

• For longer runs or noise-prone environments, XLR is preferred because its balanced design offers better noise rejection.

General guideline:

• Short, clean runs → RCA is okay.
• Long or noisy runs → Use XLR when available.

Avoid running low-voltage audio cables parallel to AC power lines wherever possible.

Q: I want to bi-amp my speakers. Can I use RCA outputs for some amp channels and XLR outputs for others from the same preamp?

We don’t recommend mixing RCA and XLR for bi-amplification.

Although RCA and XLR outputs are active simultaneously, XLR outputs are typically louder than RCA. Using both together will cause level imbalance between the amps.

For bi-amping:

• Use a single connection type (all RCA or all XLR).

• If you need to feed multiple amp channels, use Y-splitters on that one type rather than mixing outputs.

Q: Does Y-splitting the preamp’s audio output damage the signal?

No. Proper Y-splitting at line level is generally safe and common practice.

Concerns usually come from other contexts:

• Splitting cable TV can degrade picture quality.

• Sharing headphone outputs can reduce level due to load.

Line-level outputs from a preamp are different; their impedance is designed so they can be split without harm. Functionally, this is similar to preamps that offer parallel outputs—the “split” just occurs inside the chassis instead of through an external Y-adapter.

Q: Which digital audio connection should I use: optical (TOSLINK) or coaxial (RCA)?

Both can work well. Each has strengths:

Coaxial (RCA, 75-ohm):

• Often lower cost

• Can handle longer runs

• Easy to custom-length

• Possible downside: can participate in a ground loop, since it’s an electrical connection

Optical (TOSLINK):

• Immune to ground loops (light-based, not conductive)

• Useful for breaking stubborn ground loop paths

If you’re chasing ground loop hum, optical is often the better choice. For very long runs in a clean system, coax can be more robust.

Q: Can I keep the front L/R outputs analog-direct while a sub channel is processed in DSP?

This is not recommended, because it causes timing misalignment between the main speakers and the subwoofer.

• A/D conversion → DSP → D/A conversion all add delay.

• If only the subwoofer passes through DSP, its output will lag behind the main analog-direct channels.

For proper alignment:

• If DSP is applied to the subwoofer, it should also be applied to the main L/R channels, so all signals share a consistent delay and can be time-aligned using the distance settings in the setup menu.

All filters add some noise and delay; well-designed digital filters offer excellent performance and precise control.

2. Power, Consumption & AC Circuits

Q: The specs say the amp uses “X watts.” Does that mean it draws that much power all the time?

No. The published wattage and power consumption figures are maximum ratings, typically under conditions where all channels are driven to peak simultaneously.

In real-world listening, the average power draw is much lower, because music and movie content is dynamic and rarely demands full power from every channel at once.

Q: The power amp and subwoofer are rated at 15A each, but my room only has one 15A circuit. Is that a problem?

In most home setups, it’s acceptable.

• The 15A (or 1800W/VA) figure is a maximum, not a continuous draw.

• Breakers take time to heat up and trip. Short peaks (explosions, big hits in soundtracks) usually don’t last long enough to trip a 15A breaker.

• Long-term bass-heavy listening at very high levels could eventually trip the breaker—but at that point, sound pressure is likely far beyond safe listening levels in a smaller room.

If you consistently trip breakers or are planning extremely high-output systems, a licensed electrician can install a dedicated circuit.

Q: Why do Anthem power cords have two prongs instead of three?

We use two-prong cords with double-insulated designs to help reduce the chance of ground loops, which occur when multiple paths to ground exist.

Instead of relying on a third safety ground prong:

• We employ double insulation to prevent the chassis from becoming live, a proven method also used in many power tools and appliances.

This maintains safety while minimizing ground-related noise issues, and avoids unsafe workarounds like “cheater plugs” that defeat proper grounding in other gear.

3. Ground Loops, Noise & Interference

Q: I’m getting a hum/buzz in the speakers, or horizontal bars in the video. What’s causing this?

This is almost always a ground loop.

It can show up as:

• Hum or buzz in the speakers

• Horizontal bars or noise in the video image

To troubleshoot:

1. Disconnect source devices one by one from the preamp/processor.

   • When the hum/buzz disappears, the last device you removed is usually involved in the loop.

2. Try plugging that device into a different AC outlet.

3. If the noise sounds more like a buzz, start by disconnecting cable TV.

   • If it stops, you may need a cable isolation transformer on the incoming cable; contact your cable provider or home theater installer.

4. Where available, switching from RCA to balanced XLR connections can help reduce ground loop sensitivity.

Q: I can hear excessive buzzing from the transformer or speakers from a distance. What could be causing this?

A very common culprit is a dimmer switch somewhere in the home.

Try:

1. Turning all dimmable lights fully off, not just in the theater room.

2. Unplugging any automatic night-lights.

3. If the buzzing stops, turn dimmers back on one at a time to identify the problematic unit.

Once identified, consider replacing the dimmer with one that’s suitable for A/V environments. A home theater retailer/installer can recommend low-noise, A/V-friendly dimmers (even with remote control).

4. Content, Dynamics & Listening Experience

Q: When I watch movie channels, some movies are much louder than others even with the same volume setting. Why?

This comes down to dynamic range and mixing differences between soundtracks.

• Some movies, especially with 5.1-channel mixes, have wide dynamic range—soft dialogue and very loud effects.

• During dialogue, these can sound quieter than 2.0 (stereo) sources, even though peak levels are similar.

• When the action starts, those same 5.1 tracks can deliver very strong peaks, easily “catching up” or exceeding the perceived loudness of other content.

Your preamp is simply playing what it receives; the difference lies in how each soundtrack has been mixed and mastered.

Still need help? Our team is here to assist. If your question isn’t answered in this FAQ, please contact your authorized Anthem dealer or reach out directly to Anthem Technical Support. We’re continuously refining and expanding our resources to ensure your experience with Anthem products is as seamless, high-performing, and enjoyable as possible.