Affordable Processor with Fabulous 2 Channel ?

SO do you think, at this level, that this is comparable to or better than the Anthem AVM 60?

McIntosh MX121, nuff said.

The Anthem AVM60 is a great HT processor and has exceptional ARC2 (Anthem Room Correction) and is priced at $3k new, which imo is a total bargain. And it supports and decodes those latest surround sound formats & codecs eg Dolby Atmos, DTS-X. It is excellent for HT use.

I've found myself back in this same boat recently.  My listening habits change all the time and right now, they're back at maybe 80/20 HT/records.  Earlier this year, it was 90/10 records/HT.  I used a Marantz AV7005 for several years and then decided to try an 'old' Krell HTS 7.1. It was perfect for what I needed.  Balanced outs, 5.1 analog inputs (for my Oppo Bluray player) a zone 2 for my Tascam recorder, etc.  I always ran video sources directly into the TV, so no need for HDMI inputs.  Needless to say, I donated the Marantz within a week to my father.  The Krell is substantially better on everything over the Marantz.  I don't need an EQ because I have a pretty well treated room.  The Marantz had sloppier bass, muddy highs and veiled/muffled midrange.  Anyway, now that I'm into streaming movies/shows a lot more and cut the cord on cable, I am ready to move up to Atmos/dts;X.  Otherwise I wouldn't bother upgrading.  I found the best advice which has also been mentioned in this thread - buy a 2-channel preamp with HT bypass.  My sights are on an Anthem AV60 and Rogue Audio Perseus for stereo (LPs and CDs) listening.  The X-2.5 mentioned earlier looks very temping.  I demo'd an XP-15 phono preamp and it was very impressive.

I have a question since this thread has been dominated by the Classe sigma ssp.

I have been using the Oppo 103d with a NAD m51 as part of my 2 channel setup. I was going to get a Oppo 205 and use it as a source and processor, but we all know what happened there as I wont get ripped off by the price gougers at this point and time.

So after all, I am stuck with the processor route as this forum has been wonderful for a lurker like myself! I have ZERO interest in atmos and just want a high quality 5 channel surround processor as 2 channel and sound quality are utmost importance.

So, with that all said, one of the Classe ssp units seem to be the right choice.

My question is does anyone know what would be a better sounding setup. The Oppo 103d to the NAD m51 dac and then to the Pass labs amp or the Oppo 103d to the Classe ssp and then to the Pass labs amp?

I'm concerned I will degrade the 2 channel going from the Oppo 103d to Classe ssp opposed to going to the NAD m51 dac from the Oppo.

Thanks!