Quote:
Originally posted by gonk:
As you've noticed, the AVM50's MSRP of $4,700 is more than four times higher than the 990's $1,100 price tag. True, you should be able to get the AVM50 for less than MSRP, but you can also get the 990 for about $200 less when you get the Model 7500 at the same time. That's just the price issue, though...

The AVM platform has been very good for Anthem, and it has rightfully earned a solid reputation for audio performance. The Gennum scaler in the AVM50 and D2 is apparently a great chip, and Anthem seems to have implemented it nicely. Then there's the fact that the AVM50 has HDMI inputs - but they're only HDMI v1.1, so there are some limits: you'll still have to decode the new formats at the player with Blu-ray and HD-DVD, and you can't get SACD over the HDMI connection unless the player converts the DSD to PCM first - which is currently only done by one player (the Oppo 970). I guess the decision boils down to two questions. One, can you afford the AVM50 now? If you can, it will give you a really good scalar, HDMI v1.1 inputs, and a DAC/analog section that is going to be a bit more robust than the 990's (as befits the much higher price). Two, even if you can afford the AVM50, do you want to get it now or do you want to get something like the 990 now and wait another couple years for the format war to go somewhere and the HDMI standard to get a bit more evolved? For better or for worse, there's no right or wrong answer.
I had a thought. I've heard good things about the Oppo 970 DVD player with it's up conversion capabilities. Could I input the HDMI from the Oppo 970 directly into the Mitsubishi WD-57831 HDTV and use the 990 for the audio? Will the quality for both audio/video still be excellent? If this is the case I would do that instead and save a ton of money from not buying the AVM50. One last question about amp power. Is the Earthquake Sound Cinenova Grande Five-Channel Power Amplifier over kill versus the 7500? It's basically 200 watts (7500) against the Earthquake 300 Watts both into 8 Ohms. Sorry about the long winded questions.