Of course EVERYTHING is system/setup/acoustics/lifestyle/ taste,etc, dependent. Still, to simply address your answer the easiest, I'm DEFINITELY recommending some higher end offering that includes a HIGH QUALITY EQ of some sort! That said, my first thought goes to the Anthems. Probably as clean of a sound as you could expect from a surround receiver, plus highly regarded EQ for smoothing out the INEVITABLE bass/room/acoustics problems that need EQ'ing out. Otherwise, expect audiophile grade disappointments that a good EQ could otherwise GREATLY ASSIST!
Yes, probably the later model Anthem's.
Yes, probably the later model Anthem's.