Receiver for B&W 702 S2

Caphill, that’s massively helpful. 

I could certainly stretch my budget upto $3k. 

Given half of my consumption is movies, an AVR or a pre/pro becomes a must. I have 3 Sources for video - cable box, Apple TV and my HTPC. 

My speaker setup is indeed 3.1. 

so if my options were:

1. Keep current denon x4200w and add Rotel 1592 for B&W 702 L/R
2. Cambridge Audio CXR200
3. NAD T777 v3
4. Anthem 720

what would be the best path to go?

@marrduk24 

What are your sources for stereo music? 
If your stereo performance for music playbacks is your priority you should definitely go with option #1. Get the Rotel RA-1592 stereo integrated amp for your stereo music playbacks and keep your Denon receiver for HT duties. You can connect your music sources, whatever it is, directly to the Rotel RA-1592 integrated. The RA-1592 has very good DAC. You can connect your computer or NAS using USB cable to the Rotel's USB input and let the DAC in the Rotel does the digital-to-analog conversion. And you control the volume from the Rotel RA-1592. You don't even have to turn on your receiver at all.

However, the Rotel RA-1592 does not specifically have a dedicated HT bypass input but you can use one of its analog input as a fixed input or unity gain for HT bypass. Any of its analog input can configured as unity gain for HT bypass. Just set the volume at 80 and save the setting for that particular analog input. And also bypass the tone control on the Rotel RA-1592 integrated. 
So, every time you select that input the volume will be disabled and will automatically be fixed at 80. Vol 80 (out of 1 to 100) is usually a reference volume setting for unity gain for HT bypass. 
Then you connect your receiver's front L/R channels pre-out using analog audio interconnects (RCA) to this fixed analog audio input that has been configured for HT bypass. So, for HT or surround movie playbacks you simply control the volume from the receiver and console everything from the receiver as the volume on the Rotel RA-1592 is disabled and the analog audio signal from your receiver will be directed straight to the power amplifier section of the Rotel RA-1592 integrated to drive the B&W 702 S2 speakers. But you still need to turn on the Rotel integrated.
Does that make sense?

And for stereo music sources you connect them directly to the inputs on the Rotel, and you don't even have to turn on your AV receiver at all. You can connect your computer using USB cable to the Rotel's rear PC USB DAC input for stereo music playbacks.
The Rotel RA-1592 also has a front USB input port to connect from any IOS or Apple mobile devices such as your iPhone or iPad to stream music directly. 

But if stereo music and HT (movies) are equally important for you then I would say that either the Cambridge CXR200 receiver or the new NAD T777 v3 receiver or the Anthem 1200 receiver or the Arcam AVR550 might suit you better. For HT or surround movie playbacks the Cambridge CXR200 receiver or the NAD T777 v3 receiver or the Anthem MXR 1200 receiver or the Arcam AVR550 receiver will definitely sound better than your Denon x4200w receiver. The Arcam AVR550, with its Dirac Live room correction, and the Anthem 1200 receiver, with its ARC2 room correction calibration software will perform best for HT or surround sound movies when calibrated properly. ARC (Anthem Room Correction) is Anthem's proprietary room calibration software and is considered as one of top notch auto room correction calibration software available for high end HT application. The ARC2 competes directly with Dirac Live and Room Perfect room correction calibration softwares. 
I think the Arcam AVR550 receiver retails for either $3k or $3500. 
The Anthem 1200 receiver retails for $3500. 

However, for stereo music playbacks the Rotel RA-1592 stereo integrated amp will definitely sound better than the Cambridge CXR200 receiver or the NAD T777 v3 receiver or the Anthem 1200 receiver or even the Arcam AVR550 receiver or any if not most high end AV receivers out there. No doubt. 

Caphill, thank you for sharing such through and detailed responses. 

Source of music mostly master quality recordings via htpc. 

I am now trying to decide between CXR200 vs Anthem vs Rotel. 

I am guessing you meant Anthem 1120 because there is no 1200. Given I don’t need 11 channels, do I really need 1120. Wouldn’t Anthem 720 or even 520 be sufficient? Seems only difference between 720 and 1120 is no of channels. 520 has slightly less power, but my music listening is always 20-30 dbs below reference and movie watchinf is 10 dB below reference. 

@marrduk24 

It isn't about numbers of channels of power output ratings. Usually the top of the line receivers have superior power supplies, DAC, preamp processor sections, circuit designs, parts, chassis, amplifier sections aside from having more power, better room correction software version, better circuit isolations, etc; and therefore, will sound and perform better than their lower end series within the same brand or manufacturer. 

Btw, the Rotel RA-1592 that I recommended to you isn't an av receiver. It is a stereo integrated amp with onboard DAC. It sounded really good for the money. Retails for $2500. For stereo listening to music it will sound better than those mentioned high end av receivers. 

Hi,
it looks like the Arcam AVR 550 is discontinued. What is a similar Arcam receiver to the Arcam AVR 550?

Received a pair of the 702 S2 for Christmas and don't know too much about receivers versus stereo preamplifier versus stereo amplifier versus integrated amplifier so I've been researching on forums and articles online. My consumption is probably  60% movies and 40% music and based on what I've read, a receiver is probably the better option for me (versus separates) as it's more user friendly for someone with littler to no experience. After reading this forum, I was kinda set on getting the Arcam AVR 550 but found out it's a discontinued product. What replaced the Arcam AVR 550 or what is a comparable Arcam product? 

Thanks in advance!