Oppo 105 and Cary 11 Surround Processor

I had the Cary 11a in my system and it never sounded very "alive". I was disappointed. There were issues with HDMI compatability with my Panasonic TV and if I remember correctly the Cary doesn't do any video processing. On the otherhand with the Anthem AVM 50 I have (not the v version) along with the ARC (Anthem Room Correction) all my cable channels are upped to 1080p from their standard 480i or best case 1080i. I have Fios which is excellent BTW. The Anthem room correction is much more sophisticated than the Cary's version as well, and it also works! The only downside some may have with the Anthem is it only has 5.1 analog inputs. I use HDMI from both my cable and Oppo 95 so it is not an issue for me. One other issue is that with the basic AVM 50 you cannot pass a 3d signal through it so you need to use one of the HDMI outs on your Oppo for video only to the TV and the other HDMI output to the Anthem for audio only. That being said if this is an issue just move up the line and spend a few more bucks and the Anthem will do the 3d.

I have had many different processors in all price ranges and to me the Anthem provides the best sound and flexability. I have never had an uber hi end processor though.

Just as a side note.....it seems a lot of people are stuck on the idea that they need to get a multi channel amp for HT. I have been using 3 McCormack stereo amps and love them. I bi-amp my center channel with one of them. MUCH better sound for the money!!! imo.

with the HDMI inputs you can have 2 other sources, besides the Oppo.

I recently did a similar switch out, but I don't have a processor at all. I use the oppo to process the HDMI from my cable and AppleTV, and send the analog signal to my power amps. The video goes out the a projector, and I think the processing form the Oppo is better than the reciever it replaced, or the DVDO duo I previously used.

I use a tube preamp for 2 channel listening with HT passthrough. It's a simple and v good set up. I'm using the OPPO 105 as a DAC for my AppleTV and a 400 disc Sony DVD/SACD player.

BTW, HT is not my focus at all, it's really secondary, but I do like movies through the projector.

I wouldn't argue for either the Anthem or Cary processors if the Oppo 105 provides sufficient ports. I doubt the Anthem provides room correction if the input is analog and re-digitization bypassed.

I use a Velodyne SMS-1 bass manager to provide room correction for my two HGS-15 subs where wave lengths make correction most critical.

If cost is important and OP needs more ports than a 105 offers, I'd look for a previous model Integra like an 80.1 to use with a 103 and go HDMI all the way from source to amp.

By the way, I use multichannel amp generically to mean multiple amps. I use Proceed HPA 2, HPA 3, and an Amp 2 that's rarely powered up, because it drives two rear speakers. The HPAs are 500 watts per channel into 4 ohms, the Amp 2 250 watts. The speakers are KEF Reference 107/2 mains and 102 center and surrounds.

db

Elescher, how are the HDMI incompatibility issues related to the Cary which doesn't do HDMI?

Sgr, I use an Oppo BDP-95 with a Cary 12 and it is a great combination. I am using the 7.1 bypass with the Cary even though it does decode all the formats via HDMI.

The Cary 11 is a very good sounding unit but it is a little old. You may want to consider another older non-HDMI unit with your Oppo.