Marantz vs. Arcam

Thanks @james633 for your input.

The more time I have to think about it I am leaning towards a Marantz processor.  My center is active and I'm about to convert my L and R to the same kind of configuration, leaving me with only the surround speakers to have to power, and I already have amps for those.

@neoshah I’m not pleased with the EQ settings Anthem’s room correction makes. Unfortunately I didn’t pay more attention to the details. While it has many configuration options it does not let me have what I most desire: Hand crafted parametric EQ settings. As a result I have a pair of miniDSP units behind my Anthem MRX receiver, and have completely disabled the Anthem Room Correction.

I believe that DiracLive lets me hand adjust EQ settings without having to rely on it’s room correction if I wish. I believe the advanced Audyssey EQ in some Marantz units also let me do this. I'm also shifting more towards powered DSP capable speakers as well.

I’m looking to simplify my listening experience which has shifted greatly from music to movies over the past couple of years. One thing I look forward to in doing so is reducing the number of separate devices I have right now from 6 (HT receiver, 2 channel integrated, DAC, streamer, 2x miniDSP) to 1.

@neoshah Thanks. I have a modern Anthem and the EQ limitations is making me look elsewhere. In particular, I want to hand craft what the EQ does, and the Anthem has no such feature.  The more advanced Marantz units and DirecLive should give me full manual parametric EQ capabilities.

Thanks, @soix - As you may have read, I’m trying to avoid the really big mistakes I made before with Onkyo and Emotiva.  Also, the latest offerings from Arcam seem pretty good expecially since I plan to use external amps or powered speakers.  A $2k all in one may very well be my next purchase.