Anthem AVM 60 vs Classe SSP 800

I have a 2.2 system. I recently replaced a Classé CP-800 with an Anthem STR preamp, and I like it a lot. The automated DSP is far quicker to set up than the Classé's manual PEQ. Although it is slightly less flexible, it is more powerful, and to my ears more transparent. On balance, I prefer the sound in my system with the Anthem.

If you're thinking of a new AVM 60, you probably could find it online with a trial period. Listening in your own system is the approach I'd recommend.

Have you thought of the MRX 520 ?? Same preamp, but no balanced out.

Thanks Mike & Erik for your responses. Mike you provided exactly the information I was looking for. Erik I want to stay with separates even though the MRX 520 is a good buy. Larry 

I replaced my Classe SSP800 with a Lyngdorf MP50.   I love the Lyngdorf room correction and neutral presentation for movies; however, I truly miss my SSP800.  What a wonderfully musical processor.  I feel it was able to pull me in to movies better than the Lyngdorf due to its ability play the music scores so much better.

My vote would be the SSP800.

Thanks rshad0000 ! 

Have you considered Classe Sigma SSP MkII? Supports latest audio codecs, such as Atmos. This little prepro is purported to be CP-800 with processor capability and in Simga chassis. That is, processor optimized for music. I would consider it, but I really want 4 Atmos speaker capability and SSP only supports 2.

Classe is rumored to be developing new Delta series SSP, but judging by their new Delta Mono and Pre models, it will be very expensive. 

Classe SSP 800 will be superior sounding and lot more refined sounding than the Anthem AVM60. If you don't care about 4K video, Dolby Atmos, DTS-X setup, go with a used SSP 800. 
However, the Anthem has a phenomenal ARC2 (Anthem Room Correction). If you want superior room correction go with the Anthem AVM60.

For both stereo & multi-channel music the Classe will be way superior more musical sounding preamp processor than the Anthem AVM60......hands down. Especially you mentioned earlier that you like to listen to 5.1 SACD off the Oppo. But the Classe SSP 800's DAC does not decode or support DSD via HDMI, so you will have to run multi-channel analog audio out of the Oppo into multi-channel analog audio inputs on the SSP 800 and set the SSP 800 in analog bypass mode. The SSP 800 is a superb sounding preamp when used as an analog preamp especially coming from an AV pre pro. This is the advantage of the Classe over the Anthem AVM60. 

For movies only, still the SSP 800 will perform better when properly calibrated using its manual PEQ (not my favorite) and make sure your room is well treated and speaker placements are spot on. 

The newer Classe Sigma SSP that was recommended by dmk_hifi is great but lacks multi-channel analog audio inputs that will be needed for your multi-channel SACD playbacks since the Classe Sigma SSP's DAC also does not decode or support DSD. And I wouldn't recommend converting DSD signal to PCM in your Oppo and output it in PCM via HDMI. 

Fyi, in my dedicated reference high end home theater room I used to have the SSP 800 for numbers of years and have had thoroughly enjoyed its sound quality so much for surround sound movies which also includes bluray concert films as well as bluray/4K UHD musical films/movies. But then I wanted Dolby Atmos & DTS-X setup so I sold the SSP 800 and got a Lyngdorf MP-50 instead. While the MP-50 is equipped with phenomenal Room Perfect room correction but I preferred the SSP 800 especially for those bluray concert films & bluray/4K UHD musical films. The SSP 800 sounded more musical. As rshad0000 has stated earlier that the SSP 800 was able to pull you in more into musical scores in the movies better than the Lyngdorf. In comparison to the Lyngdorf the SSP 800 sounded fuller & had more body to the sound smoother  and more refined and tonally the SSP 800 was more balanced compared to the Lyngdorf. 

I didn’t realize Sigma SSP didn’t have multi channel input. I’m also a big fan of m/ch SACD so Classe processor is off my list. Will look for Marantz 8805 or 8802a. 

@dmk_hifi  

The Marantz AV8805 or 8802 are great choices when used for surround sound movies (home theater) but would not sound as good or as musical sounding as the Classe SSP 800 or Sigma SSP for music (both stereo & mc music). 
I suggest you look for a used Classe SSP 800 as it has multi-channel analog audio inputs (7.1) as well as stereo (XLR & RCA). The Sigma SSP has only stereo analog audio inputs (XLR & RCA) since the Sigma SSP is optimized for stereo and its stereo front LR channels were derived from Classe CP-800 stereo preamp/DAC. 

@dmk_hifi 

You could convert DSD to PCM in your Oppo and output multimately-channel PCM via HDMI to the Sigma SSP but I wouldn't recommend doing that as it would degrade the sound quality of your SACD. SACD (DSD) should be outputted in native DSD. So the Classe Sigma SSP isn't for you if you want to listen to multi-channel SACD. You should definitely look for a used Classe SSP 800 as it has multi-channel analog audio inputs (7.1).

Besides the SSP 800 would sound better for surrounds or multi-channel processor than the Sigma SSP. All channels on the SSP 800 are true differential or fully balanced design all the way whereas on the Sigma SSP only its front LR channels are true differential or fully balanced design and were derived from Classe's own CP 800 stereo preamp/DAC. 

While the Marantz AV8805/8802 provide XLR balanced analog outputs for all channels but they aren't true differential or fully balanced design. The Marantz uses its proprietary HDAM circuitry for its analog output stages for all channels but they aren't true differential or fully balanced design processors like the SSP 800 or the Lyngdorf MP-50.