Anthem AVM/20 upgrade to Integra or Marantz??

Thanks to both for your input. Everything I'm reading ironically is pushing me to the Marantz even though its a slightly older unit and doesn't' have the latest Audyssey (though MultiEQ Pro had advantages over the XT32 version).

I was reading on one review of a user of Krell and Anthem AVM20 who upgraded to the Marantz and loved it. So, I know you'll always find those types; but given the age of the Anthem AVM20, the advancements in D/A converters, etc. if a $1,500 preamp today truly trounces a $3,000 preamp from 10 years ago. My gut is telling me "yes" more and more.

Additionally, the integration of AirPlay, which is now a free upgrade is also a nice to have feature as I do tend to like the Apple ecosystem and also love to have the flexibility of DLNA as I do have a prototype server setup for sending FLAC files over the network.

I have also thought about the Anthem 50v but at 5k am I getting that much more for audio quality?? It appears that there is now only one major difference (at least on specs) between the D2 and the AVM50v if I recall correctly and it was something to do with the analog input or output. Listen, I love my Anthem, but I just can't afford 5k for a preamp at this point.

Finally, let me confirm what you said about Revel and Harman support. They rival Apple with their rabid (in a good sense) focus on customer service. Questions about my Revels and an issue with DC Offset with my Lexicon were handled in ways I just cannot begin to explain. Just the highest, highest praise for Jason and the team over at Harman tech support. You are not just buying a stellar product, you are getting incredible, personal support after that for as long as you have the product. I do have to say that Anthem tech support has been A+++ as well.

So, if I'm to summarize here, from an audio quality perspective, I basically should here no real difference between the Marantz and the Integra in terms of audio quality and processing in both two channel and multichannel.

The Marantz at that price point is looking better and better all the time. I do truly appreciate and welcome any other thoughts and comments on this! It's our hobby and we love it, breathe it, and take any opportunity we can to talk about it :-)

I just got an Onkyo 5508 (AKA the nearly identical cousin of the Integra 80.1) to replace an ARC LS25 + NHT X-2 + Velodyne SMS-1 + Cambridge DacMagic in a music only 2.2 system. One box vs 4 and very, very good sound thru Maggie SMG or Ohm 100s with a pair of 12" Rythmik subs. I'm very happy with that decision.

FWIW.

Marty

Neat, Marty. The thing really works!

BTW, the 5508 is equivalent to an 80.2; just what I use.

Kal

Sorry, Kal. 80.2 instead of 70.2 :-) So my recollection was correct on that one.

Don't mean to put you on the spot, but is it a fair shot to say that either the Marantz or Integra would do me well for my purposes going from an Anthem PrePro? I don't need the extra HDMI settings of the Integra and I don't need the added streaming services like Spotify, etc.

The only nice feature that I do use is separate crossover settings between music and movies. I run my M22s down to about 50Hz with the music setting and I pretty much leave the M22s close to 80Hz for movies. I also use the notch filter in the Anthem, but that would likely be taken care of via Audyssey.

Yesterday I auditioned a Marantz AV7005 with the aim of replacing my Cary 11a, Velodyne SMS-1, and DVDO Edge with a single processor. I took several discs, then played the discs again when I returned home about a half hour later. In every case I preferred the sound of my system. But I couldn't attribute that to the difference between the 11a and the AV7005, because the ancillary equipment was also different.

The setup in my HT started as a 2.1 music system before the addition of front projection and surround speakers. The setup at the dealer seems aimed at very elaborate HT. The disc player was a video server with a name something like Kaleidoscope; the speakers were large B&Ws.

So I conclude that an audition at a dealer is of limited value, unless the dealer has the same equipment you have. So much for don't rely on reviews, listen for yourself advice. I can only go by Michael Fremer's review of the AV7005 in which he concludes that the AV7005 is an excellent value with very good sound, but not quite the equal of the sound of the Cary 11a. I suppose if I had been persistent, I might have borrowed an AV7005 to try at home, but then I would have felt really obligated. With a new lamp in my projector, I will try to it without the video processor. That would be one step toward simplification.

db