Suggestions for replacement for my old Nuforce AVP-18 surround sound processor


Not really up on the surround sound processor market at all as I concentrate on my two channel rig.
But this is the HT system in the family room which the wife uses 96% of the time.
I bought the Nuforce AVP-18 and matching 8 channel 150w class d amp brand new a few years back and they have performed flawlessly and still do.
Running 7.1 setup and do not intend to change the speakers or power amp.
The only reason looking at upgrading the processor is that there are some newer formats it does not decode like Atmos etc. Email reply from Nuforce reveals they have no intention of ever upgrading the avp18 software any further so no further advancement can be made to it.

So whats out there?

Watch a mix of dvd/bluray from an Oppo 105d and the rest is streaming via netflix or Roku.
Tv is a 4k HD model.
Presently the Oppo is fed into the avp via HDMI and goes out to TV for picture/sound via HDMI.
All I should need are the regular RCA Analog outputs for the 7.1 to go to the power amp and two toslink inputs for a couple other devices as well as the usual HDMI IN/OUTS.

Processor only , not looking for a full on receiver.
Budget $1500 to $2000
Thank you and stay safe
128x128uberwaltz
So Atmos is going to take more speakers... are you looking to add speakers and amps too? :)
Not at present time Eric.
However I do not like not having the option to try an Atmos setup if I decide I wanted to.

And again, there are no future software upgrades for the avp18 ever so it is basically now obsolete if you will.
The AVM 60 does not have amps in it. I have the lower 720 Anthem (with amps) and I would absolutely go with the 60. You also get great room correction.

I've never turned on the amps in the 720 since day one. I immediately hooked up an external amp to my 5.1 system.

Good luck
First thing.  Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround formats are fully backward compatible.  That means that you can play an Atmos movie on a system that does not support Atmos and the movie/sound will play just fine.

Second, the newer 4K processors are only good if you have a 4K source.  Some of the streaming sources will have 4K.  So it's up to you as to whether or not you really want to support 4K.  Some of the newer processors may have some additional video processing chips that could help.  I'm not sure how much. 

If you want both 4K and Atmos support, probably the best processor for the money is Marantz AV7703 (or higher).  Marantz is an excellent processor with discrete analog stages and great power supply, but it is voiced just slightly on the warm side with rolled off high frequencies.  You should be able to get one for under $2k no problem.  They are on ebay all the time (AV7703 / AV7704 / AV7705).  They support the latest HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 standards.

The AVM 60 is going to have much more high frequency response and could sound a lot more exciting, but it could come across a little bright and I don't think it will have as much fullness and body as the Marantz.

If you want to remove your 4K or atmos requirements, there are a lot of options.  Such as Classe SSP800 or an Anthem D2v if you can find one.  Heck, even the $1k Outlaw Audio 976 processor is not bad (I've tested it).

The Nuforce AVP-18 is really a bare bones processor (switching power supply and SMD op amps for output).  There's hardly anything inside and you have a LOT of options for a significantly better processor.
Thanks Auxinput.

Yep the avp18 is a basic boogie box for sure but it has been/ is reliable and has done its job.
Will be looking up the Marantz models although they seem huge and bulky and I do like the slimline look of the avp18 I must admit.
We do have 4k tv and 4k streaming service and not into the Atmos right now but always nice to have options.