I moved from a 507 to an Anthem AVM20. It cost me 1,700. I paired it with two Citation 7.1 amps (cost of 1,800 for 8 channels of amazing 150 watt power), four channels each. Very satisfied with the move, a big step up in sound. The Anthem has a better upgrade path then most at resonable costs, sometimes FREE (i like that). Plans are in the works for HDMI swithing to be backwards compatible to the AVM20 - of course a chassis modification will me a cost involved. That is the only video switching I'd spend money on, so I'm content to wait. My tv monitor, like most, just has one DVI connection.
I will say the B&K is very user friendly and has THE best remote of them all. The sound certainly is fine but nothing compared to having seperate amplification. I did a work-a-round because I missed the B&K remote so much I purchased an MX-850 off e-bay... an even better remote then the B&K oem version. Highly recommended... I even have it controling $125.00 worth of Lutron Spacer System dimmers in my room now... its the best!
B&K will charge a lot for their upgrades. Anthem won't. The Anthem's processing control over virtually every aspect of the sound is amazing... tweak till you drop, if so inclined. And their customer service is terrific, although I enjoyed that with B&K as well.
At $1,800 +- for the AVM20, $800 +- for an MCA-5II (5 channel) your at 2,600. I know you want 7.1, but after making that move myself adding 2 speakers, I wouldn't do it again. Your room may dictate all those speakers and I thought mine needed it but it was a waste. Better off with 5 idealy matched speakers then 7 in my book. By the way... the Anthem will allow you to automatically switch to your rear speakers for SACD/DVDr for instance and back to a standard configuration for 7.1 movies! How's that for control?? So if really want another 2 channels, those amps are around 500 more.
Just my thoughts.
I will say the B&K is very user friendly and has THE best remote of them all. The sound certainly is fine but nothing compared to having seperate amplification. I did a work-a-round because I missed the B&K remote so much I purchased an MX-850 off e-bay... an even better remote then the B&K oem version. Highly recommended... I even have it controling $125.00 worth of Lutron Spacer System dimmers in my room now... its the best!
B&K will charge a lot for their upgrades. Anthem won't. The Anthem's processing control over virtually every aspect of the sound is amazing... tweak till you drop, if so inclined. And their customer service is terrific, although I enjoyed that with B&K as well.
At $1,800 +- for the AVM20, $800 +- for an MCA-5II (5 channel) your at 2,600. I know you want 7.1, but after making that move myself adding 2 speakers, I wouldn't do it again. Your room may dictate all those speakers and I thought mine needed it but it was a waste. Better off with 5 idealy matched speakers then 7 in my book. By the way... the Anthem will allow you to automatically switch to your rear speakers for SACD/DVDr for instance and back to a standard configuration for 7.1 movies! How's that for control?? So if really want another 2 channels, those amps are around 500 more.
Just my thoughts.