Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Upgrade a 7.1 base level Axiom Set to 11.2

Oh I will agree that proper separates are in another league. I still have a Carver Pre/Pro powering my bar....the sound is unmatched by any Yamaha/Denon etc receiver I've ever owned.

One thing I haven't tried is going with Yamaha or Crown pro audio rack mountable amps for HT. Much much cheaper than hifi gear, crazy wattage for little money. Some don't even have fans running until needed, but the hum and buzz is my worry.

I have read good things about those pro amps and some others as well but my mind wont let me go there other than for subwoofage.

I know that you have gotten a lot of info since your post that I am quoting, but just FYI that the reason why you don't see the big reviews on the Anthem 720 is because most of the professional reviews are about the top end 1120, which has won many, MANY awards over the past year.

I think it's mostly making a highly specialized piece of electronics for a very limited audience and then pricing for what the market will bear. The market for pre-amp processors is smaller, and mostly composed of very high end individuals willing to sink upwards of $20,000 into their setup. They're willing to spend $3500 for what they perceive to be a high end pre-amp and they're willing to pay to play.

The market for receivers is larger and more fragmented with more competition, so prices are lower, especially at the mid end.

You can pick up a mid-end receiver for 7.2 surround sound for $400 to $500. Soon as you go to ATMOS it doubles, and then doubles again to add the 4 overhead speakers.

It's not much different when buying higher end computers. That computer that cost $3000 two years ago is $600 now. The top end of the electronics market is willing to spend a lot more to get the latest computers and phones.

It just depends where on that price vs. time curve you want to play. Typically with computers and phones I buy into the second generation. I'm jumping the gun a bit on 11.2 systems, they're still first generation, but I'm having a weak moment. I'm not having a weak enough moment to contemplate going for pre-amp processor and amps though.

A lot of what you say is true and we all have financial limits. Myself i opted for Emotiva, since there is an upgrade path and the entry fee was quite reasonable at the time since our Canuck dollar wasnt sucking so hard. Emotiva is releasing a HDMI upgrade as well as ATMOS upgrade which doesnt require a wholesale processor change ,plus the HDMI upgrade can be done at home. A receiver requires being replaced everytime a new standard comes out for HDMI,whereas a board replacement is cheap by comparison. Emotiva gets you into highend for a decent price.

Capability to upgrade is an interesting point Socketman. My limited research on Emotiva suggests it costs about $2400 to get a system capable of 7.2, without yet paying for the eventual upgrades for ATMOS and 11.2 or paying for the amps.

A 7.2 receiver without ATMOS is $500 at most these days. My thoughts were I could buy 5 different receivers over time to stay upgraded before even reaching the base initial cost of the Emotiva with the same capability.

Stick with your plan Don. The Denon 6300 is one of the Japan units. It is widely adopted and should be fine. Decent power onboard and extremely flexible when it comes to tuning later.

A couple of the guys on here with the Anthem setups have advanced experience and are in treated rooms. I would get to their level of setup first before you go all out on a separates system. You wont get a full return on your investment until your setup and room are in order.

Just go with your original plan and don't get too hung up on overthinking. It will be great. And totally fun! Share pics!

Also don't forget that's a price drop from it's previous model the AVM50v that was $6500.

I wouldn't worry about it because that puts you way above your budget point. I think this AVM60 only came an issue because, I mentioned Randy just bought Anthem thinking it was the MRXxxx line. I mentioned the MRX720 which is priced in the same ballpark as the Denon.
A few years back I bought a Denon 4313, that was my upgrade from a Pioneer Elite32. I picked up a Anthem MRX500 some guy had a pallet on Canuck Audio Mart , I never asked how or why but, I bought one for $600 they were going for $1300 new. He said, bankruptcy sale he got them. A friend of mine also bought one he had Denon 38xx series, he bought my Pioneer to replace that. When my Anthem arrived I set it up. That Denon made it to the box, never came out and I returned it the next week. I took my Anthem to Halifax with, went over to a my friends place. We set it up and before I left he got on line, bought the Anthem also and listed the Pioneer on Canuck Audio. He, has upgraded to the MRX720. His room is a bit bigger than mine I think he is 19ft long. He's not going ATMOS right away. Uses it for 5.2 setup, but he plans on seeing where this ATMOS goes, theres not alot of ATMOS content. But, his plan like mine is to get the system in place over time.
But, I would seriously check out the MRX720 over the Denon. Specially if only a matter of a few hundred bucks.
You can also, buy try it out and if it is not what you expect, return it and get the Denon

The other reason would be as you suggest, it's something
you can build on gradually. get the reciever and have 7.2, then get the speakers and install and then pick up an amp. I'd just go used

Don i realize you are doing a huge upgrade all at once so funds have to be used accordingly.I wasnt trying to upsell you merely adding my unsolicited 2 cents with hope of helping you reach the nirvana we all seek . My upgrade path was much more gradual but ultimately more expensive since i was never happy with what i was hearing,as if i would say to myself is this what everyone is raging about. I went from HTIB to a sony reciever and axiom speakers. To better speakers and better reciever and then another receiver and seperate LCR amp then better surrounds and THEN. I got another 5 channel emotiva amp and the XMC-1 and i now no longer have the feeling like im missing something, its all there just as it should be. Dont get me wrong it was an interesting journey for sure and i wont deny you your journey just though i might save you a few steps is all. Im sure the Denon will do what its suppose to do so go for it and enjoy.

There must be some nasty scratches and or dents but still...a $1000 discount...grab that EP800 in the refurb store. I know I would if I could.