Anthem AVM 20 vs AMV 30

Well, following is what I could find...
Seems like nothing major is different...
I'll probably try to find bargain AVM20 at this point...

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Ripped from MarketNews.ca (http://www.marketnews.ca/news_homee.cgi#1090873141) :

"Mississauga, ON, July 26, 2004: Anthem Electronics has announced the debut of the AVN 30 preamp/processor/tuner, built on the same platform as the AVM 20, but offering double the number of component video inputs and outputs, and new aesthetics, including a finer-grained brushed metal front panel with blue vacuum fluorescent front-panel display, and blue and red LEDs.

Like its predecessor, the AVM 30 is a preamplifier, digital-to-analog (DAC) and analog-to-digital (DAC) converter, surround-sound processor (SSP), HDTV video switcher, multi-room/whole-house entertainment control centre, AM/FM tuner, and headphone preamplifier.

The AVM 30’s whole home focus makes it possible to direct and select audio and video program material throughout the home. The 12-volt trigger options allow users to automate as much of their system as they choose. A system can operate in four separate areas of a home simultaneously; and any source can play in any of the four paths, allowing users to watch one source while listening to another. This pre/pro can also operate two complete 7.1 home theatre systems playing concurrently.

The Main Path, Anthem notes, provides video and multichannel audio for the main music and home theatre room. Zone 2 and 3 paths provide two component video outputs and two-channel audio outputs with volume, bass, treble, and balance controls operating independently of the Main Path, and of each other. The fourth path, Record, provides video, two-channel analog-audio and digital-audio record outputs, selectable by source. With the addition of an external preamplifier or receiver, the Record Path can be used as a fourth independent audio/video zone.

Like the ’20, the AVM 30 features Anthem’s precision Digital Signal Processing design, and uses the Motorola 56367 DSP chip. It heads a full slate of surround-sound decoding, a package that includes the Company’s own Anthem-Logic Music and Anthem Logic-Cinema, Dilby Pro Logic II, Dolby EX, DTS Neo: 6, EX Matrix, ES Discrete, and THX Ultra2/THX Surround EX with four optional modes. Dolby Pro Logic IIx software will also soon be available as a free download from Anthem’s Website (www.anthemAV.com).

The AVM design also includes THX Audio Setup, allowing consumers to adjust rear-speaker delay in a 7.1 setup; and a Boundary Gain Compensation features that Anthem claims to improve bass balance in rooms where subwoofer placement causes a “boomy” bass, and disables Re-EQ when THX is on.

According to Anthem, the increase to one-Mbit memory on the motherboard in the AVM 30 provides double the memory for storing code for the DSP, and provides flexibility for any future software upgrades.

The AVM 30 is currently available in Canada for a retail price of $3,999.

For more information, contact Paradigm Electronics Inc., 205 Annagem Blvd., Mississauga, ON L5T 2V1; (905) 564-1994. www.paradigm.com."

And for the ones that have not seen it, here it goes ! :p

http://pics.xs.to/pics/04081/avm-30.jpg

So, you get more component inputs (needed), more memory for future upgrades, and different color LEDs. Well if you only have one or two component sources, pick up a used AVM2 or 20 and take the extra cash and treat yourself to a weekend at DisneyLand.

Good luck,

I agree with Prpixel. I have have owned the AVM-20 for almost two years now. I would not sell this unit unless there was an emergency. The sound just keeps getting better and better over time....two channel analog direct/or digital and HT. I would highly recommend the AVM-20 if there is a cost savings involved in regards to choosing between the 30 versus the 20.

Good luck on your choice.

Ok, Ok...someone point me to some links to some REAL REVIEWS BY PROFESSIONAL REVIEWERS!
yeah I know it's sometimes not accurate, and often biased. yet I'd really like to here some real reviews for myself.
Then I'll try to hunt down a deal with one of these things setup and see if I can make anything of it.
Personally, I'd like to think the AVM20/30 whatever is killer! It looks like a good piece, and has lots of features...and comes from a company with a history(old SF) of good gear originally. Hummmm..maybe I'll call Paradigm and ask em who's dealing Anthem in my area, and who's got one set up for demo'ing.

onhometheater.com reviews it in their August, 2004 issue:
http://www.onhometheater.com/product.shtml