Your explanation doesn't mean much and your description of "plenty of power, clarity and bass handling" means what? I've seen bench tests of the "power" and it's not impressive. I do hear nice things about ARC. I certainly agree this is not something I'd travel extra for nor pay extra for (maybe a tad for ARC if everything else were relatively equivalent). They just aren't exciting values in avr world. My avr has wonderful sound reproduction already.
I have no doubt that your AVR would be most enjoyable to me. I am not an equipment SNOB and do not consider an AVR as being sub par.
A part from AV receivers. Have you listened to anything above the $1k price range? Gone to a factory floor and seen how the equipment is made, listened to a reference/test system? Do you have any experience with cost no object systems that have been meticulously set up to put their best sonic foot forward? In short, to have experience with somebody's attempt to set up the most musically accurate system possible? Second to none. I recommend that you do not limit things to just your power meter and oscilloscope alone there is a bigger world to explore.You are missing out.
As far as the MRX720 is concerned. Forgive me, I cannot describe something in objective terms that is an subjective experience. You have to compare and contrast one for yourself. Even then I have serious doubts that you would see any merit to my claim as to what the Anthem has to offer. Hopefully I am wrong, so strong is your apparent bias that receivers that measure the same sound the same. An $2k plus receivers is a waste of money for you. I seriously doubt you would allow yourself to perceive any difference, let alone hear how it would over achieve when compared to other product in its category.
I may be reading too much into this, you heavily lean on bench test results to determine the merits of a design and its sonic Prowse? Unfair to put words in your mouth, but the point you are trying to make... If it measures the same/good, it will sound the same/good.
We will never see eye to eye on that one. I refer to measurements sure, as proof of concept and solid engineering principles. They are invaluable piece of information for me in that regard, but they are not the ending point. I go to factory floors and boutique showrooms and listen. What I hear determines what I spend my money on.
I see why measurement need to be so heavy a factor for you. Having limited access to what is out there, I would want something that gives me some modicum of protection against purchasing a disappointment. Measurement are good starting point for avoiding such a disaster. Especially if I cannot readily take it back. So I think I get it.
I on the other hand I am not limited in such a way. I will look at a measurements to build interest but before buying. I make sure to have to have face time with the product itself. The dealers I work with lets you audition expensive pieces of gear first. I seldom do business with anybody that does not.
For what its worth.
I have pretty much made the same observations about measurements as Dan D’Agostino.
Here is an example of how I formed my own bias about the value of measurements, and how now days they do not have as much sway over me that perhaps they should.
Back in the day there was an Audio Darling that use put ads in all the audio rags with following tag line. (I am paraphrasing)
Measures so well, we see no need to listen.
Today, you do not see that product around. Why? Many found the company's offerings to be awful, if I remember right the company eventually wound up defunct. My own personal experience with one of their amps is it did not sound as good as the measurements indicated. I, along with so many others, did not like the sound.
