Anthem PVA 2
Very stable amp. Using it to drive my DIY subwoofers. Homemade passive crossover with JBL 136A 15-inch woofers. Smooth tight bass with good compliance.
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Anthem PVA 2
Stereo power amplifier
Overview
Our take on the Anthem PVA 2 by Crutchfield's Steve Kindig
The clear, dynamic sound of a power amp
If all your audio systems have been built around a receiver, you might be surprised how much more involving music listening can be when you add a well-made power amplifier like Anthem's PVA 2 to the mix. Its ultra-low noise and distortion let you play your music loud, but comfortably, without fatiguing harshness. Anthem's high-current design keeps a tight grip on your speakers' drivers, delivering wider dynamics and deep, solid bass.
Value-priced performance
The PVA 2 is part of Anthem's value-priced Performance Series. Its rated power is 105 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and 140 watts into 4 ohms. Whenever you see an amplifier with higher output into 4 ohms than 8 ohms, it's usually a good sign. It means the amp has a robust regulated power supply. The ability to drive 4-ohm speakers is a nice benefit because these days there are lots of high-performance 4-ohm speakers that many typical receivers would struggle to drive.
Made in Canada, respected around the world
For more than two decades, Anthem has been making award-winning high-performance audio/video equipment for music and home theater. Anthem power amplifiers are designed, engineered, and built in Canada.
Product Highlights:
- 105 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 140 watts per channel into 4 ohms for compatibility with even difficult-to-drive speakers
- Class AB design with 4 high-current bipolar output transistors per channel for low distortion
- custom low-noise, high-power toroidal transformer for stable, noise-free operation
- Advanced Load Monitoring™ technology monitors internal temperature, current, and voltage to ensure safe, uninterrupted operation
- 3-way on/off operation: manual, triggered, or signal-sensing auto on/off
- stereo unbalanced RCA inputs
- binding post terminals accept bare wire, banana plugs, and spade lugs
- 3.5mm trigger in/out jacks allow the amplifier to be turned on or off remotely
- detachable power cord
- designed, engineered, and manufactured in Canada
- total harmonic distortion: 0.03%
- signal-to-noise ratio: 122 dB
- 17-1/4"W x 5-7/8"H x 11"D
- weight: 26 lbs.
- warranty: 5 years
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
What's in the Box:
- 2-Channel power amplifier
- AC power cord
- Operating Manual
Very stable amp. Using it to drive my DIY subwoofers. Homemade passive crossover with JBL 136A 15-inch woofers. Smooth tight bass with good compliance.
Anonymous, Alhambra, CA
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Anthem PVA 2 Reviews
Average Customer Review(s):
(1 Review)
Details
Hands-on research
Features and Specs
| General | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 2 | |
| Power Output per Channel (8 ohms) | 105 | |
| Power Output per Channel (6 ohms) | --- | |
| Power Output per Channel (4 ohms) | 140 | |
| Frequency Response | 20-20k | |
| THD | 0.03% | |
| Bridged Power per Channel | 0 watts | |
| Speaker Outputs | 2 | |
| THX Certification | No | |
| Width (inches) | 17-1/4 | |
| Height (inches) | 5-7/8 | |
| Depth (inches) | 11 | |
| Weight | 26 pounds | |
| Parts Warranty | 5 Years | |
| Labor Warranty | 5 Years | |
| Inputs & Outputs | ||
| Number of Inputs | 1 | |
| Level Controls | No | |
| Speaker Connectors | Posts | |
Product Research
Features
PVA Series Amplifier: All Anthem PVA series amplifiers are designed to perform flawlessly; offering stunning musicality, tonal neutrality, and incredible dynamics while driving almost any speaker load reliably under real-world conditions. The power supply is conservatively rated and the amplifiers run cool for greater reliability.
High-Quality Construction: PVA amps are designed and built in Canada using the finest quality parts and materials. From military-spec (FR-4-rated) epoxy circuit boards to multiple high-current bipolar-output transistors; from oversized, computer designed heatsinks to Anthem's own custom-designed robust binding posts, the build quality of these amps rank among the finest in the world.
2-Channel Power Amplifier: The Anthem PVA 2 stereo power amplifier is designed to deliver incredible detail and dynamic sound from today's music and movie soundtracks. The PVA 2 stereo amplifier can be used in a distributed audio system for Zone 2, as a dedicated 2ch stereo amplifier for music, as well as the front or rear amplifier channels in a home theater application.
- 8Ω: 105 watts x 2 channel (continuous RMS, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, <1.0% THD)
- 4Ω: 140 watts x 2 channel (continuous RMS, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, <1.0% THD)
Superior Power Supply: The sonic purity of the PVA amplifier design is the result of Anthem's intensive research and development in high-end design. Superior high-end sound begins with a superior power supply. This amplifiers use custom-built, low-noise, high-power toroidal transformers and advanced power supply regulators with high-quality, low-ESL/low-ESR filter capacitors and huge storage capacity.
"Keep-It-Simple" Circuitry: The amplifier's proprietary and patented circuit design follows Anthem's "Keep-It- Simple" principle, using the fewest number of parts in the signal path to maintain the integrity of sound. The PVA series amplifier provides the finesse and instantaneous output power to effortlessly reproduce the challenging variety of special effects in movies and demanding musical passages.
Advanced Load Monitoring (ALM): PVA Series amplifiers feature Anthem's ALM circuitry which protects sensitive output devices by constantly monitoring temperature, current, and voltage to ensure optimum long-term performance. ALM is totally non-invasive; it is not in the signal path and only engages in the most extreme circumstances to protect the amplifier from damage by maintaining the safe operating area of the output devices.
122dB Signal-To-Noise Ratio: Whether it's the subtle (or not-so-subtle) special effects in a movie, or the tonal subtleties produced by the strings of a single violin, the PVA amplifier will capture it all. Ultra-low distortion and a truly incredible signal-to-noise ratio place the PVA series of amplifiers among the cleanest and quietest on the market.
Stereo RCA Input: The Anthem PVA 2 power amplifier is fitted with a left & right stereo RCA input for connecting an external preamplifier (sold separately).
Bind Post Speaker Terminals: The Anthem PVA 2 amplifier features a set of heavy-duty, binding post speaker terminals for connecting a single pair of speakers. Use 4, 6, or 8-ohm speakers.
Trigger Input/Output: The Anthem PVA 2 is equipped with a 12V trigger input (3.5mm) and 12V trigger output (3.5m) to synchronize power on/off with other components that also feature 12V trigger inputs and outputs.
3-Way On/Off: The PVA series amplifier can be powered on or off in three ways - manually with the On/Off switch on the front-panel, remotely via the rear-panel 12-volt trigger input, or automatically with Anthem's patented Auto-On/Off circuit. Via the Auto-On/Off circuit, an incoming audio signal immediately switches it on; and approximately 20 minutes after the audio signal ends, it simply switches off.
LED Indicator: The front-panel LED is lit blue when the amplifier is turned on, red when in standby mode, and not on when the amplifier is removed from the AC power source.
Our Product Research Team
At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team. They verify what’s in the box, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.
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