Anthem Monoblock Power Amplifier - M1

State-of-the-Art Monaural Amplifier

The highest sound quality at all volume levels, flat frequency response into any load, and stable into the most difficult loads. The Statement M1 is a state-of-the-art monaural amplifier delivering 1,000 watts into 8 ohms and 2,000 watts into 4 ohms or less with THD remaining under 0.1% from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Designed and engineered in our advanced research center in Ottawa, Canada, the M1 is manufactured in our Toronto facility.

More than just a slim, technologically advanced monaural design, the M1 demonstrates that Class D architecture isn't fundamentally flawed, it simply hasn't been implemented well in the past, mainly because it required such a heavy commitment to R&D. We’re fortunate to have the in-house resources to create such a groundbreaking product and one listen will reveal the truly extraordinary nature of this amplifier.

Cutting Edge Technology & Design

• 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.

Best Value in the Market

The M1 enjoys all of the attributes of our award-winning Statement Class AB amplifiers but through exclusive Anthem technologies, goes far beyond the current capabilities of Class A, Class AB and prior Class D amplifiers in the market.

The proprietary design employs all of the advantages of a Class D amplifier — high output, high efficiency, compact size — while avoiding the typical Class D limitations such as difficulty driving low-impedance (high-end) speakers, power line contamination, reliability issues and substandard audio quality. The absence of accurate dynamics is so common that it frequently goes unnoticed, but through the M1, music and movies are delivered with breathtaking realism.

Addressing the Class D bias

The “D” in Class D does not stand for digital. It was simply the fourth type of amp recognized and classified by the IEEE. The first was Class A, the second Class B, the third Class C, etc.

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. However the M1 uses Class D amplification of a different ilk (see later section on Class D for a full discussion).

The M1 is not a digital amp!

There are no A/D or D/A converters in the signal path. The amplifier’s control system continuously varies the width of the output pulse train in direct relation to the analog input signal. In essence, a side-to-side variation in width is analogous to a signal’s more familiar up-and-down amplitude variation, not at all the same as a digital string of 1s and 0s where all pulses have the same width.

Exceptional efficiency

Much has been written about Class D amps having twice the efficiency of conventional amplifiers at full output, but there's more to this. Under normal conditions an amplifier operates at only a fraction of its full output capability. At 1/8th of its maximum output (the typical working level of an amplifier), our M1 is six times more efficient than a conventional amplifier.

Slim Size, Beefy Power!

Never judge an amp by its size or its rack space

Amplifiers are often judged by their size and weight, the beefier the better since more power requires a physically heavier, larger amplifier. Or does it? It all depends on the design. When rack-mounted, the 20-kb M1 occupies only one rack space but despite its size can deliver 1,000W into 8 ohms and 2,000W into 4 ohms.

Cool running

The M1’s cooling system quickly and efficiently moves heat from the interior of the amplifier to exterior heat sinks. Sealed copper pipes within the amp contain a small amount of special fluid held under a vacuum. When the temperature at one end of the pipe rises — the end adjacent to the amplifier's heat sources — the fluid in that end evaporates. This vapor is then naturally drawn to the cooler end of the pipe, along the heat sink on the side of the amp’s chassis where it condenses. From there a copper wick returns the fluid to the hotter end of the pipe. This heat transfer process is many thousands of times faster and more efficient than cooling through metal heat sinks alone. This system eliminates the need for fans, allowing multiple M1s to be stacked with no danger of overheating. It also means the amplifier is so mechanically quiet it will suit even the quietest listening rooms.

No noise is good news

With an absence of noisy fans and a noise floor well below that of a high-end preamplifier, the M1 is a critical listener's dream.

Advanced Load Monitoring & Power Factor Correction

Proprietary Load Monitoring

The M1 has a very sophisticated load monitoring system. Two 100A Hall-Effect sensors monitor the output current. A Digital Signal Processor, outside the signal path, is used for power sequencing and to monitor various amplifier and power supply functions including line voltage, output current, ground fault detection, temperature and DC voltage at the output.

The M1’s output stage does not interact with the load. A hysteric PID controller which uses past, present and a predicted future to make adjustments keeps the amp load independent. Hundreds of computer simulations were used to test and optimize this system so that it is able to handle all possible loads. This is a significant design achievement. Whether you are running the M1 from a 120V circuit or a 240V circuit, the amplifier will be delivering the highest output possible according to the operating conditions.

Left: Power supply without PFC. Current flows in short bursts and ends up much higher than it needs to be, limiting available power and increasing the chance of tripping a breaker.