help replace my Anthem AVM20

If $3k is your limit I'd go used and get an AVM 50 or D2 with ARC.

If you need more than 4 HDMI ports I'd get a receiver like the Denon 4311 or Yamaha 2010 for around $1K and use it as a prepro, or the Marants Av7005 if you need balanced.

I don't think there are any processors worth buying inbetween.

If you don't need more than 4 HDMI inputs/one output and don't care about bells and whistles, look at the Anthem MRX300 to use just as a pre/pro.

Either AVR-as-a-processor, I like Yamaha personally (I'm a sucker for CinemaDSP), or Denon/Marantz. If you go this route, I'd get either the top-dog Yamaha (RX-A3010; around $1700) or the Denon 4311 (around $2000) or Marantz SR7005 (I believe around $1500). Or there are a few SSPs that would be equally competent, like the Marantz AV7005 (around $1600 as I recall), or the Onkyo 5509 (something like $2400) (there's bound to be an Integra rebrand of this - I don't follow their model naming scheme though); the Onkyo gets you a better (more precise) version of Audyssey and more inputs/outputs. Both of those have XLR outputs. I think they both do 3D as well (I know the Onkyo does; the Marantz is getting a bit dated).

Consider keeping the AVM-20 and let your new TV switch the video. Then get an excellent blu-ray source such as the Oppo BDP-95 to handle hi-res decoding and feed your anthem with interconnects. Total cost is $1k plus whatever you spend for interconnects. Your AVM-20 is still fine for Dolby Digital from cable/satellite boxes.

I was in the same pickle and bought an Anthem D2V, but if I could've done it over again I would've extracted more life from my AVM-20.

I have this setup with an Oppo 83 SE using multi chanel inputs to the AVM 20, and HDMI to the TV, and HDMI from the cable box to the TV, using either coax or Toslink from the box to the AVM 20. The AVM 20 has the ability to insert up to 85 ms of delay into any of the inputs individually (page 55 of owners manual) I have set up macros in my universal remote to handle switching the inputs for watching TV or Blue ray or playing CDs

The above is workable, but I can't help feeling that (my advice about buying used aside) the suggestion of one of the Anthem receivers makes more sense given the whole point is to make the system simple enough that your wife can use it.

You should be able to sell your AVM 30 for about what you'd pay for a MRX-300 and if most of your sources are digital I doubt you will suffer from any sonic degradation.

warning: d&m fanboy opinion ahead...

imo, if the op doesn't "need" balanced connections, it's rather tough to beat the denon 4311 for this usage... commonly available for close to the lower end of his budget range...

i had an av7005... while it is a wonderful unit, and virtualiy flawless in operation, the a100 (anniversary edition of the 4311) i have now is a better unit, due to the superior dsp...

it also has a few other goodies as well...

I thought my recent upgrade was worth it to be able to decode high-resolution, lossless audio from Blu-ray. I like the suggestion of selling the AVM-20 for what you could buy the MRX300 for.

He could still take advantage of the high resolution and lossless Bluray audio keeping his AVM-20. Just connect the Oppo BDP-83's analog outputs to the AVM-20's analog multichannel inputs, lets the Oppo do the decoding, which, I believe would sound as good, if not better, then buying a MRX-300, or, even buying a new Anthem D2. It wouldn't be as convenient, but, its a whole hell of a lot cheaper and could be set up to be very simple to use. Simple enough that any wife could or would have no trouble using it.

That's a good point.
It does simplify things to just use HDMI.
Another advantage to keeping everything digital is the ability to use room correction software, like Anthem's ARC.

@marty...

he could, but it's highly doubtful it would sound "better"... putting aside for a moment that the difference between the lossless and the high bit rate lossy codecs are very subtle on the very best of systems, a "new" avr would allow him to use room correction and bass management, which definitely is a more than subtle difference....

your mileage will not vary..,

^^^

fwiw... your heart is right, and your head is wrong... the player will make far less of an impact on your listening experience than a "modern" avr will...

if you are going to stay with what you have, just connect your existing player (or whatever player you get, and as much as i'm an oppo fanboy, don't throw your money away on a 95, get a 93 if you go that direction) via spdif for movies/redbook cd* and call it a day...

*and analog for sacd, should you so desire...

Agreed. You aren't gonna notice much (if anything) going Analog MCH (if you lose bass management or time alignment you'll notice something - not in a good way), over S/PDIF and legacy extraction.

I think a new AVR makes sense; sure, what you have was super expensive when it was new, and it's "exclusive," so I get the stigma around replacing it with a "lesser" unit - that said, it's old and newer stuff can do the same task better.

^^^

yup... it is very safe to say that i would not trade my current avr for my old avm30... VERY safe...

Well, I actually did trade a modern AVR (MRX-500) for an older prepro (Anthem AVM-40) and the only thing I miss is the Onscreen Display.

I have a similar setup (oppo, anthem avm20) and use the analog multi channel output from the oppo to feed the prepro. I let the projector switch hdmi for video. One extra button to push when you switch sources but works well. At least for me and my wife.

fair enough... i'd never try to tell anyone what they prefer...

The AVM-20 was likely the finest piece of audio gear that I ever owned. When the technology moved to HDMI and the new audio codes I was faced with the same dilemma. For a year or so I went with the OPPO analog out solution with great results, but it always bugged me that I couldn't get true seven channels (not that there is much available) and that I had to use all of these cables.

Eventually I "upgraded" to the Marantz AV7005. I am very happy with this product. I don't think it is quite as good from a pure SQ perspective as the AVM-20 but it more than makes up for it with configuration simplicity and room correction. I did consider using a receiver as a pre-pro but I hate the idea of leaving the amps unused (even if I didn't have to pay extra for them). And I certainly wasn't about to pull out my Bryston and Anthem amps and go back to receiver amps at 1/3 the power.