Mlopardi, Not sure what you mean by Audio, are you talking audio for two channel or home theater. If it is two channel, I have never heard a surround processor sound better than a fair preamp. So if your goal is to combine the two I think you will be dissapointed. If you simply want decent audio for home theater, then there are several older processors that will give you good sound. Like Meridian 568 or 568.2, Krell 5.1, Proceed or McIntosh, I am not familiar with Anthem or Marantz.
If you want to keep the cost down I understand Marantz top of the line receiver is suppose to be good. You can save a lot of money on interconnects, separate amps and space.