Marantz AV10 and AMP20 - should I consider something else?

[Tjf120]

I'm looking at a new processor/Amp. The AV10 measures pretty nicely by Amir. Looking at pairing with an AMP20 and upgrading my current HT room.

For that price range (~13 k for combo), is there anything else I should be seriously looking at? It's difficult to make these decisions without hearing/seeing the equipment first - but I'd be buying online for best price. I'd transfer my current gear to the upstairs HT room.

Dealer suggested a Hyperion AVP16 and SMA8300 (JBL) - but no reviews of the Hyperion, and the other JBL stuff I've looked at - not a ton of independent reviews.

Thoughts?
thanks

 

[staticV3]

For HT, it's difficult to look past the Tide16 and a multichannel Amp from one of these integrators:

Power Amplifier Vendors using Hypex or Purifi technology

Here is the list, please review for completeness. Will update as needed. Apollon Audio: https://apollonaudio.com/apollonaudio.com ATI (Amplifier Technologies Inc.): https://ati-amp.com/ Audiophonics: https://www.audiophonics.fr/ boXem Audio: https://www.boxem-audio.eu/ Buckeye Amps...

www.audiosciencereview.com

miniDSP has a matching Amp as well, the Amp-8.

 

[Golfx]

There is an aesthetic attraction to buying the matching Amp20. It houses everything in one chassis that looks like your Prepo.

But, all the channels share the same power supply and if one amp channel goes down, poof, you are out all of your sound until “returned/repaired/shipped back” happens.
You can get newer model Class D purifi amps that will measure better and give you modular arrangements. Such as a 3 channel amp (or mono blocks) for your LCR speakers and an 8 channel for your surrounds and atmos channels. Even these can be broken into other amps to suit the speakers as well.

For instance a 3 channel purifi from buckeye would cost 1600 and yield clean power 450W @4ohms https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/amplifiers/purifi/1et6525sa/3_channel

And an 8 channel from buckeye would cost 1675 and yield clean power 250W @4ohms

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

So these two options are cheaper and measure better than the single Amp 20. Buckeye amps have measured very well here on ASR. Something to consider.

 

[Vincentponcet]

Or Cinema30 for prepro and amp for all channels except LCR and a purifi/ncx500 just for LCR.
Would be way cheaper

 

[peng]

I'm looking at a new processor/Amp. The AV10 measures pretty nicely by Amir. Looking at pairing with an AMP20 and upgrading my current HT room.

For that price range (~13 k for combo), is there anything else I should be seriously looking at? It's difficult to make these decisions without hearing/seeing the equipment first - but I'd be buying online for best price. I'd transfer my current gear to the upstairs HT room.

Dealer suggested a Hyperion AVP16 and SMA8300 (JBL) - but no reviews of the Hyperion, and the other JBL stuff I've looked at - not a ton of independent reviews.

Thoughts?
thanks

The AMP20's look matches well with the AV10 but other than that it doesn't seem like a good value, and besides, do you really need that much "power" for your surround/height channels. If the matchin look is not too important to you, then you could just get the well measured Hypex or Purifi modules based power amps by buckeyeamp, Apollon, Audiophonics etc., and you can mix and match channels rated 200 to 300 W 8 ohms, with smaller ones rated half that, depending on your actual need.