Should I buy Anthem 1120 for a 11 speaker system or Sony 5000 ES

I am OP. I just stumbled on to this 2 year old thread. I just want to give an update on what I did two years ago.
After weeks of going into my local store and listening to Sony and Anthem and getting estimates I decided on the Anthem 1120 for 5.1.4 system. The co-owner was very insulting to me about not trusting their knowledge about the Sony. He told me that I know nothing and that I need to listen to them. I walked out and found another company that sold Anthem and Paradigm. I wound up buying the 1120 with Paradigm 85F's and the 55C. I wound up selling my sub and replacing with the Paradigm X-15 Defiance. I am in the process now of upgrading that system. I am replacing my 4 Sonance ceiling speakers with Paradigm, replacing my Paradigm Surround speakers and also adding a Sim 330A amp for my front two speakers and I am replacing my Node 2i with a better streamer

That's great.  I was going to start posting, until I saw it was from 2 years ago, lol.  Historically, Sony equipment has always sounded cold and unfeeling for me.  I just never heard Sony equipment that really sounded good (except for a high end Sony receiver and tape deck from 1977 - that stuff was really excellent!).

It worked out really well for me. I am very happy with my 1120. I was considering upgrading to AVM 70and two Anthem 525amps but my dealer convinced me that the 1120 did not need to be upgraded and that I would be better off with new Surround and Atmos speakers

Wise choice.