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Separates or Receiver to modernize home theater?

My home theater is getting dated. I have what was in at the turn of the millennium a top-of-the-line Sony television, picture tubes and all, and while the image technology is still better than anything on the market today for standard definition, I want high definition and a much bigger flat screen set.

So the television will soon be replaced and so too will our DVD player with an OPPO BDP-95. Now comes the harder part — which electronics will I use to connect to my 5.1 system that features a Velodyne DD-15 and Paradigm Signature speakers?

I already have Anthem separates and the Amp is fine — a MCA 50. The problem is my AVM-20, which has, until now, fit my needs and worked flawlessly. Alas, it has no HDMI inputs, and while Anthem offers an upgrade, I hear it's costly, more than double the AVM-20's current value.

So I could either replace just the AVM-20 with an up-to-date processor or replace both Anthems with a receiver, using the extra cash from selling the Anthem amp. Whatever I bought as a replacement would need XLR-balanced inputs for two-channel play since I use the system for both music and movies; for music I listen to a lot of jazz and some classical, pop and classic rock.

As for budget, while I could afford to buy just about anything, I rather not go over-the-top, especially since video technology is so quickly evolving that what one buys now may be dated before too soon (as in the Anthem AVM-20) So the ceiling would be a lot closer to $3,000 or even $2,000 than to $5,000 and up. I'd be open to new or used.

What would you recommend and why? What features should I consider s must-haves or nice-haves?

Thanks all for the help.

- Jon
jonsher
vicdamone
850 posts
 
It seems unique to AV hardware that the big players manage to equip their mid to upper tier receivers with all the latest innovations. Innovations that the high end pre/pros provide many months later. Yet even after all this updating the actual media is still lagging such as 7.1 or 24/192 produced media.

I recently upgraded a 5.1 receiver and CRT display to my current 7.1, plasma HT only system. We were floored by the overall improvement as well as the individual aspects of the system. I'm all over 7.1, matrixed 5.1 to 7.1, room correction, HDMI, and the modern codecs that are currently widely available.

Since this was an HT only system I wasn't seeking ultimate audio but I did the best I could for a display. I've had this system for well over a year and I have no interest in improving its audio but that's me.

If you follow the reviews of high end pre/pro's they can offer a finer digital audio presentation that would be more noticeable played through finer speaker system and the merry go round spins. The Classe' is reported to offer very good analog.

I would suggest a 7.1 receiver with pre outs or a pre/pro. Keep the amp and speakers and look for another used MCA-50 and enough used Paradigms to round out the seven channels, no dipoles. Room size is not an issue. The biggest plasma you can find which will definitely seem over the top right up until you turn it on-and don't mount it high on a wall. BlueJeans HDMI offers cable by the foot for very tidy cabling.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
I am on AVS aswell so if I can help let me know, I added my thoughts there aswell. cheers
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 
Jonsher,

FWIW. I wholeheartedly agree with the above responses. It would be a step backwards, or downwards, to substitute a receiver for your current very good system- like trading in your sweet sportscar for a minivan. Your audio system is fine and the OPPO solves your HDMI and surround issues nicely, so put the money into the new video setup. You may want to check out the new Panasonic plasma HD models, I read on a video forum, I think it was Videogon, that they supposedly bought and use the same technology used on the excellent Kuros plasmas from Pioneer, which recently withdrew from the HDTV market. When I was looking for an HDTV a few years ago, I really liked the Pioneer picture the best but the price was too steep at $10K. I think the Panasonics go for less than half this. Good luck.
dcrugby
96 posts
 
one more vote to keep your present system and run your hdmi straight to the tv unless you absolutely have to have an on-screen function from your preamp (in which case, you could still just switch between inputs on the tv for the pre and the source, but i realize that gets annoying fast).

i tried hdmi switching and i could notice a degredation in picture quality and stability. i am anal about picture, though, so factor that in.
meiwan
399 posts
 
Just to clarify the on screen info issue - HDMI from the Oppo to the TV will carry video only, including onscreen info from the Oppo.
Where you loose is onscreen info from the Anthem. To get it, you need to run a separate video cable (of any quality) from the Anthem to the TV. Then you just have to switch inputs to see the Anthem info. (which is only really relevant when setting up).

Just means switching inputs on the TV to watch TV and movies, rather than routing everything through the Anthem and having only one input on the TV. Many argue multi-channel carries a better audio signal than HDMI anyway. Again, just a convenience issue.
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