Attempting to configure 5.1 with current gear and new Anthem unit-

I am confused.  Do you have all 5 speakers in the system currently?  Was the set up guy using the ARC (with the microphone, etc)?

Was the previous Arcam a 5.1 HT Receiver? Is the new Anthem also a 5.1 HT receiver? Model numbers might help too....

Does the 2-channel system, i.e. pre-amp, amp, phono and CD work independently, without the need to use the HT receiver?

Sound like you may have had a "combo HT/2-channel system" previously, where the 2-channel components powered the front L&R speakers. If that is the case, the 2-channel rig would be able to play completely independent of the HT 5.1 channel portion of the system. Then the HT receiver would power the center channel speaker, and rear surrounds. It would also do all of the 5.1 channel decoding, etc., when playing DVDs and TV, etc.

Does that sound like what you had previously?

Keep the 2 channel as is and connect the OPPO and Cable box to the Anthem. Connect the Anthem to the ore with interconnects.  The rest is using the Anthem's menu to configure which speakers are connected. I'm assuming your pre has a home theater bypass because it worked before. Or you just bypassed that and manually did it. I see both ways will work.

Good luck, I'm just passing along what I've learned from here. Someone can correct any misinformation if need be.

You need an HT bypass on the CJ 2 channel. When playing 5.1 via your Arcam, passing through the CJ. That said, you can like I did make an XLR switch box. It lets me direct what plays out of the L&R with a flip of a switch. They exist commercially but found I could make a DIY version that is better quality.

Thanks for all thoughts. Previous Arcam was indeed a 5.1. as is the brand new Anthem model- Currently, the way the tech was attempting to set up---he was using the CJ Pre and Power amps to power left and right Vandersteen Quatros.  Attempting to use Anthem for Center and rears.  Hasn't worked out so well.  He is having issues getting Anthem to direct sound to left and right in surround mode. Will not switch.
Again, attempting to use Anthem for switching, as I did with previous Arcam. There is no customer support I can call for Anthem.  Again, my recollection is that Arcam had a different configuration??  I may be wrong.  Unless Arcam was set up to power all speakers for video and dvd, and I was only using CJ units for 2 channel. I did not have any peripheral hardware ---as I said, I am not a tech, and 
hoping to figure this out so I can get five channel sound.  One thing--we did not EQ room---not sure this matters as again, cannot figure out how to use the Anthem to direct sound to all five speakers I am using in that room.   Thanks.

What is the model of your CJ Pre-amp? Just curious if it has an HT Bypass/Processor Loop input?

If it worked before, it is likely that there was a pair of RCA interconnects running from the L&R front pre-out channels on the Arcam, into some input on the CJ Pre-amp (HT bypass input, Processor Loop Input, or other vacent analog input). When that input was selected on the CJ Pre-Amp, the front L&R channel signal from the Arcam would go into the CJ setup and the sound would come out of the speakers connected to the CJ 2-channel rig.

It can be done, it's just a matter of "how simple is it to operate". A unity gain HT bypass or Processor Loop simplifies things.

No time to add more at the moment. But I'm happy to answer questions later in the weekend. Gotta go for now......

Thanks for all input----again, not being a tech person, a lot of this is way beyond me.  And will consult with my tech assist, with all people have shared.   He is very good----I am just baffled as to what changed from previous work around with CJ equipment, and where I am now---of course I have no recognition of what was done previously, and/or the Arcam could do something in relationship to the CJ gear that the Anthem cannot?  Not thinking so.   
As a part time musician, I still prefer a real piano to any of the keyboards I play--

Unless the Anthem is not working properly, this should be no problem for any “tech” person to figure out.  It’s just not that hard.  Call Anthem — they should be willing/able to help. 

I wonder if he is using the ARC.  I am not sure how that would
d work with 2 amps in the system.  I think the OP is a bit clueless here and probably should seek out an installer who has familiarity with Anthem, as I suspect his does not and is probably unwilling to admit this to his customer