Separates or Receiver to modernize home theater?

Here's a little additional information that might give some insight into why an AVS forum might recommend going with a receiver over seperates.

I have an Integra 50.1 reciever that includes Audyssey as a feature. Having my blu-ray player connected via HDMI give the receiver maximum control over the signal processing. I have multi-channel inputs available, but if I were to use the blu-ray player to decode the signal and output an analog signal to the receiver I'm fairly certain that I'd hear a loss in sound quality. One reason would be that the analog signal might go through an A/D to D/A conversion to allow the receiver process the sound and also I'm not sure how much control Audyssey has on the way the digital signal is decoded in the receiver.

It's possible that your components could sound better than any receiver can no matter how it's hooked up. I'm not sure that using analog connections is really an apples to apples comparison when talking about a receiver vs. seperates.

One would expect an AVS forum to recommend a receiver almost as much as one should expect the opposite recommendation on this forum where receivers are deemed Mid Fi at best.

I think that if you use a receiver with Audyssey built in you'll get the best possible home theater sound, but might not have quite the same sound quality for stereo listening.

Personally, I like the idea of having a receiver to process the home theater stuff that is connected to a seperate amplifier for the main channels in a home theater bypass. If that same amplifier had a 2nd set of inputs you could connect your stereo equipment direct to the amplifier and bypass the receiver. The system would only share the amplifier and main speakers.

I would suggest considering selling the AVM 20 and replacing it with a receiver that is capable of decoding all the latest formats and include Audyssey or something similar and also a dedicated 2 channel amplifier for stereo listening. I think your amplifier would allow for both components to be connected.

Maybe someone will laugh at me and provide a reason as to why this is way off the mark. I could be way off, but something to think about and discuss.

I would vote to keep your system as is and use the Oppo analoge 5.1 outputs. You can always upgrade the analoge 5.1 outputs from someone like Modwright now or later on if you want too.

The value of receivers and surround sound processors always drop like a rock. You can always wait a couple of years and pick up one at a good price.

This way you do not have to change your setup.

Enjoy!

I'll chime in.
I have the excact same Anthem set-up. MANY times I have thought about going the modern receiver route (HDMI, decoding all the new Blu-ray formats, etc.). After listening to numerous receivers at dealers and friends' houses, you really can't beat the Anthem sound quality.
So,I use the already decoded analog outputs from my Blu-ray player to AVM20 and HDMI from player to TV. I also run an S video cable from AVM20 to TV when I need to do any set-up changes to the AVM20.
Bottom line: Anthem is great and keep it.

I was in your position with two former 7 year old equipment components used for HT. I finally decided to blow them out in order to upgrade to HDMI integration in addition to Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio.

I chose to invest a modest amount into a current Pioneer Elite VSX-32 receiver because my HT volume demands are now very minimal. The Mrs. crashes early and I'm usually doing late night viewing at modest volume levels. Anyway, having not owned a Pioneer product or receiver for over 30 years I wasn't prepared for what this current line of products does.

The performance in HT is at least as good if not superior to my former separates. Perhaps because my former processor didn't perform Dolby True HD or DTS Master Audio. I'm mighty impressed with the capacity of the Elite VSX-32 to bring movie tracks to life. Its got Anchor Bay Video processing, and its bag of tricks doesn't end there. Some of the features I'm now experiencing as a result of the newer technology in this unit are internet radio, full iPod and iPhone integration, and other bonus features I'd never experienced before. It's a seamless plug and play operation now to watch downloaded movies from my iPhone processed through the receiver and reproduced over the plasma. I've had tons of you tube videos on my phone that are now easily brought to life on a big screen...all for $525 delivered ($800 retail).

Sure, this wouldn't work for someone with huge power demands, but if you're like me and are only pushing a Martin Logan Logos center with Infinity Quadropoles for surrounds, this is an awful lot of bang for the buck. I couldn't be happier with this unit, and I'd heartily recommend it for someone with modest power demands who is seeking to finally upgrade to the latest processors. My only reservation was weather or not it would sufficiently drive my electrostatic center channel without distorting because of it's lower impedance load. That hasn't been an issue, and frankly I've yet to even push it and my ears generally have me reducing the volume during times when I'm viewing movies alone during the day...retirement has its benefits what can I say :)

Audio prudes might scoff at the idea of using a receiver for HT reproduction, but I'll go on record by saying the 110 watt amps of the Elite VSX-32 delivers HT performance with all the accuracy and sonic integrity of the $5k unit it replaced, and then some. I'm very impressed, and I'm not easily impressed.