Scrap my Anthem AVM-2? How improved is AVM-30

I need a new stereo pre-amp (sold my Classe pre thinking of going to 1 system but am not satisfied). Nothing I've seen is beating the quality of my AVM-2. The AVM-2 has 2 channel bypass, is quite clean sounding, nice tuner and remote. All it lacks is phono and I know that I can get a nice phono stage for not too much.

Do I get a new Theater pre/pro/tuner and move the AVM-2 to my stereo room or do I just find a nice pre-amp for stereo. Are the newer Anthems that much better? All this is lacking for me is DPL IIx. Is video and/or audio improved greatly in the newer models?

A good pre-amp is going to run me in the $800 to $1200 range for my needs. A used Anthem AVM-30, Sunfire, Adcom, B&K or similar will cost me almost double that.

I am not into HDMI yet. My NEC projector was too expensive to replace at this time.

Any advice would be great. Thanks.