You can get an Anthem AVM20 even cheaper and the difference between that and the avm30 is an additional component out and on the AVM20 on screen menu for setup is via s-video. I've had the AVM20 for years and cannot say enough good things about it for both multichannel and 2-channel.
Moreover you can set the Anthem to auto-detect an LFE channel.
You also get separate bass management not only for each speaker channel but also by source so you can set both "music" and "movie" settings and set different crossovers for the CD input and the DVD input. The anthem also has a notch filter to help tame a bad frequency range. It works GREAT. While it is not full blown room correction it helps tame a bad frequency which every system will have. Especially in the bass it works great. You also have 2 sub and 2 center channel outputs that offer you a ton of flexibility and growth.
The anthem will even take an analog source, apply DSP bass management to it and you get all the benefits of digital processing and bass management through the analog ports!
I also use my LP on the tape inputs of the anthem. You can set the input volume levels of each analog source and you get a real-time bar showing you the input signal.
So, everyone has their preferences and you will get 5 different recommendations. They will likely all be good if not great. But if you are looking for great, granular control the Anthem is my system of choice. It does what it does extremely well with solid, quality parts, service and support.
Finally there are some dealers who still have AVM30 demo models within your price range and therefore they would still potentially be under warranty. Email me offline if you want one that I know of that has an anthem AVM30 and AVM40 for sale.
Have fun with the process. You are looking at great brands and you'll have fun no matter what you choose.
Moreover you can set the Anthem to auto-detect an LFE channel.
You also get separate bass management not only for each speaker channel but also by source so you can set both "music" and "movie" settings and set different crossovers for the CD input and the DVD input. The anthem also has a notch filter to help tame a bad frequency range. It works GREAT. While it is not full blown room correction it helps tame a bad frequency which every system will have. Especially in the bass it works great. You also have 2 sub and 2 center channel outputs that offer you a ton of flexibility and growth.
The anthem will even take an analog source, apply DSP bass management to it and you get all the benefits of digital processing and bass management through the analog ports!
I also use my LP on the tape inputs of the anthem. You can set the input volume levels of each analog source and you get a real-time bar showing you the input signal.
So, everyone has their preferences and you will get 5 different recommendations. They will likely all be good if not great. But if you are looking for great, granular control the Anthem is my system of choice. It does what it does extremely well with solid, quality parts, service and support.
Finally there are some dealers who still have AVM30 demo models within your price range and therefore they would still potentially be under warranty. Email me offline if you want one that I know of that has an anthem AVM30 and AVM40 for sale.
Have fun with the process. You are looking at great brands and you'll have fun no matter what you choose.
