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

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.
Coltrane, In that prior thread, you accused me of not having heard the Sunfire you said will replace a high end two channel system. I saw the thing shut down trying to drive the Martin Logan speakers. The dealer had to give the customer a power amp paid out of his pocket, because it wasn't capable. You also said that Pioneer won't compare to the Sunfire. Now your recommending a Pioneer to a person that has nice equipment, and is used to high quality sound. He also has a good size budget. So why recommend something you say is bad,and cost $500. Give the OP a recommendation to something high quality as he is used to. I would like to see him get something he will enjoy. That is my purpose. Thank You. Sorry to catch to catch you with your drawers down again.
Anyone ever A/B the Anthem AVRs vs their pre/pros or the Integra AVRs vs their pre/pros? The AVRs are usually quite a bit cheaper than the comparably feature laden pre/pros. It seems that you give up the third or fourth HDMI and balanced outs (plus some premium internal parts, I assume) in exchange for 7 channels of amplification and a big (50+% at Anthem) discount.

It's hard to reconcile the pricing vs feature set relationship in these offerings. We're talking about the same manufacturer, so this isn't quite like comparing a 2 channel ARC preamp to a Pioneer stereo receiver, either. A Mac receiver might be less than the combo their equivalent preamp plus amp, but it's likely to cost more than the preamp alone. Not so with Anthem.

Not sure that I get it - do you?

Marty