Anthem vs Arcam


I am trying to upgrade my receiver. I currently have the Marantz 5015. A lot of folks recommend the Anthem and the Arcam. I have owned Emotiva products in the past and don’t want to own another at the moment. I need something that supports 4K. Do not need 8K. Do not need >7 channels. I am currently only running 3 and will only ever go up to 7 maybe...
I do not need the processor to have any amps as I have an external amp.

I like the look of the Anthem AVM70 but cant find a used one in my budget. The AVM60 looks decent but I saw a poor reviews of its SINAD performance on this thread (https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/anthem-avm60-review-av-processor.20155/)

I then started looking at Arcam receivers but don’t know much yet about them.

I want something that will last a few years. Doesn’t struggle with HDMI issues. Has a clean interface and is relatively easy to setup. Offers the OSD overlaid on 4K content. Has decent room correction. I don’t need XLR outs RCA is fine. Dont need any second zone stuff or multiple monitor outs. I do want Doly Vision support and HDR support. 

 

Any pointers on what to start hunting for would be much appreciated and any feedback on the two brands.

128x128chris_lansman

OP, ASR doesn’t like ANY HT receivers using HDMI. In his reviews, he segments them from the rest of the audio component world. He generally will show how a reviewed item stacks up against other of this type.  Since they are, as a class more noisy with higher distortion, he’s pretty hard on them.  (I’ll note that not all that long ago, those SINAD and THD specs looked pretty good.) ASR has a very good post up explaining how HDMI works and why it’s inherently problematic. 
 

FWIW, I use a Marantz AV 7701 purchased used on eBay at an incredible price. Great reviews in its day. Hits all your points, although it does offer balanced input/output. 

I can only add my experience with Anthem, I had a D2v that I sold and bought a Marantz 8805. I am not sure if you are using this for 2 channel or not, but the Marantz is much more musical and warmer in sound than the Anthem. I mainly use my Processor as multichannel but when my 2 channel was in the shop, I tried listening to the Anthem and decided I would do without music till my pre amp came back. I can’t speak to the Arcam, but the dealer told me that the Marantz fit my needs better. Why aren’t you looking at Marantz, you’d have some traction on the GUI already. Just my opinion of course.

@erik_squires 

Arcam has been acquired by Harman so the they have shared research and resources now. The JBL and Arcam flagship processors are very similar.

Do exactly what Kota1 suggested.  It is exactly what I did - bought an Arcam AVR10.  I was impressed with how well it works.  The streaming is really nice on it.  The sound is better than all the Japanese receivers and better than NAD.  Ive owned all of them but never owned Anthem.  I just purchased a slightly used hegel 590 as the amplifier for the main 2 channels.  That is where I chose to sink my $$$.  The avr10 has pre outs for everything.  Only thing it didn't have is a second zone.