Description
By design, P2 and P5 amplifiers are actually powerful independent “monoblock” amplifiers. Each channel is self-contained on its own glass-epoxy circuit board and heat sink. Each channel also benefits from its own independent power supply. Since there is no common audio path between channels there is a complete absence of crosstalk. Regardless of whether one channel or all channels are driven, there is no penalty in performance—even when all channels are operating at maximum output!
Frequency-response channel matching is superb. The musical picture is seamless and exquisitely detailed with a multichannel soundstage that is astonishingly transparent, cohesive and three dimensional.
In the rare event that servicing is required, the modular design allows it to be done quickly and easily by an authorized technician.
Active-Load Cascoded Complementary Feedback Input Stage
P2 and P5 amplifiers benefit from our proprietary input topology—a unique departure from the classical differential input stage. Eight low-noise bipolar input devices, hand-matched for superior balance, are configured in a complementary active-load cascoded feedback arrangement. Heat shrink tubing applied around each critical input pair ensures superior thermal tracking. Designed to reduce distortion, this arrangement not only ensures exceptionally linear response but also superior bandwidth and superb reliability.
Massive Toroidal Transformers: An Audible Difference!
Conservatively rated, in a low-profile design, these low-impedance toroidal power supplies—one per amplifier channel—make no sacrifices when it comes to delivering a continuous supply of pure, clean low-noise power. They are shaped to minimize stray magnetic field radiation and tuned to minimize hum. A sequence-controlled soft turn-on significantly reduces power line transients and in-rush current during start up, preventing accidental tripping of circuit breakers.
Independent Power Supplies Deliver Maximum Power and a Whole New Level of Quiet
Due to the high costs involved in incorporating sophisticated independent power supplies many high-end designs have only one power supply—unregulated and common to the input/driver and output stages. The drawbacks to this design are a reduction in maximum power output and overall efficiency when all channels are operating. The constant charging and discharging of the power supply filtering capacitors can introduce noise into the audio path. Anthem™ Statement designers opted for a more expensive, but ultimately more effective, cleaner and quieter power supply design.
Each amplifier channel features two separate and autonomous power supplies fed from separate transformer windings. A regulated high-power supply used in the driver stage facilitates an overdesigned output stage, allowing for highly efficient use of the unregulated high-power supply. P2 and P5 amplifiers are able to deliver stable, continuous power at maximum output, regardless of the number of channels being driven. Even when challenged by the most demanding musical transients, output remains fluid and continuous. Dynamic bursts of power called for by explosions and various taxing special effects in movies are delivered instantly and effortlessly. While some amplifiers tend to oscillate when driving lower-impedance loads, the P2 and P5 remain perfectly stable under all conditions. If pushed into clipping, our proprietary anti-saturation tracking power supply circuit takes over to ensure seamless recovery.
Since the use of a regulated power supply in the driver stage removes any noise emitted by the bridge rectifier (often heard as an audible hum at 120 Hz and its harmonics), the P2 and P5 achieve an utterly white noise floor.
Fourteen Bipolar Output Devices Per Channel
An amplifier's ultimate performance for music and movies is directly related to the the number of high-quality, high-current devices used in the output stage. The greater the number of devices employed, the lower the dissipated power on each device and the more power available for the crescendos in music and the demanding special effects in movies. While some manufacturers cut corners to save costs in this area, our designers incorporated fourteen rugged bipolar output devices per channel for an overdesigned output stage. This results in tremendous current held in reserve and unsurpassed amplifier reliability.;