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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
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.
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
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.
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
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.
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