Separates or Receiver to modernize home theater?

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.

11-01-10: Coltrane

If we're going to paraphrase in a forum as common courtesy the least we can do is to quote another correctly.

I've emphasized that
A) I used the Ultimate in the context of a home theater setting
B) that I found its performance good enough to stand alone on its own merits and therefore good enough to be used in the context of a 2 channel system and
C) I don't give orders or recommendations what decisions others should make regarding their purchases.

02-23-11: Coltrane1
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.
[quote]
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.

I've only commented on what my personal experience was with this receiver, which by the way cannot be compared or categorized with a run of the mill Pioneer or other traditional type receiver. The Ultimate is anything but a standard receiver.

You put down Pioneer as bad before(prior thread), acting like you heard them and other people *did not*. Now you state you haven't heard one in thirty years. We don't understand what your trying to do

You didn't mention if you wish to stream music. The newest generation of AVRs are starting to add this capability; the processors are a little behind here. In your budget range you can get a very capable receiver. See if a Denon dealer will let you audition one in your system and then instead of the oppo consider using a Denon universal player and using their "D Link"

Hifihvn, you've a habit of derailing threads w/ your diatribe. But since you've dug up a dead reference I made to Pioneer, I was specifically commenting on Pioneer I'd previously heard. I didn't bash Pioneer or anyone's gear. I'm too polite to degrade anyone's gear at any time. You've obviously an axe to grind for whatever reason...move on, let it be, or grow up...take your pick.