Hi Bruce,
If you're looking for a new AVR, there are many great options that still use a class A/B design, though the quality of amplification will vary quite a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer. I own a home theater company in Atlanta, and we sell and install everything from the mainstream Japanese brands (Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Pioneer, etc.) to the more "boutique brands" as they are called, and in my opinion, Arcam and Anthem are head and shoulders above the rest.
In years past, I would have summed it up by saying that Arcam has better amps (by a landslide), and Anthem has better room EQ (also by a landslide), though that is no longer the case now that Arcam has adopted the Dirac Live platform. You really can't go wrong with either brand, but Arcam's amps will still embarrass anything on offer from Anthem at the moment, so depending on how big your room is and/or whether you listen to movies or music more, you might lean one way or the other. If you are not already working with a local dealer, let me know - we have clients all over the country, and I'd be more than happy to work with you on finding the right components at a price that fits within your budget.
Take care,
David Campbell
President - Southern A/V Direct, LLC
404-948-8585
www.SouthernAVDirect.com
If you're looking for a new AVR, there are many great options that still use a class A/B design, though the quality of amplification will vary quite a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer. I own a home theater company in Atlanta, and we sell and install everything from the mainstream Japanese brands (Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Pioneer, etc.) to the more "boutique brands" as they are called, and in my opinion, Arcam and Anthem are head and shoulders above the rest.
In years past, I would have summed it up by saying that Arcam has better amps (by a landslide), and Anthem has better room EQ (also by a landslide), though that is no longer the case now that Arcam has adopted the Dirac Live platform. You really can't go wrong with either brand, but Arcam's amps will still embarrass anything on offer from Anthem at the moment, so depending on how big your room is and/or whether you listen to movies or music more, you might lean one way or the other. If you are not already working with a local dealer, let me know - we have clients all over the country, and I'd be more than happy to work with you on finding the right components at a price that fits within your budget.
Take care,
David Campbell
President - Southern A/V Direct, LLC
404-948-8585
www.SouthernAVDirect.com