Looking for New AV Processor

I realize that you are asking about a processor and not a receiver.  I spent a good bit of time researching before choosing, and I got a Marantz Cinema 30.  I am super pleased with it.  I looked at the Marantz AV 20, that was nearly the choice, but I opted for simplicity over flexibility and 'quality'.   I am very pleased with the Cinema 30.  

Another factor in the choice...   If this were a 'simple' analog pre-amp, amp, phono pre, etc, where the lifespan could be expected to be 10-20 years, maybe more, then moving up the food chain might make more sense.  But there is the advantage of staying in the mortal zone when buying a piece where the technology is constantly changing, and fast.  Any AV processor that is new, now, will likely be obsolete, or dead in 10 years or a little more, and not worth repairing at that time, also.    

My vote would be Cinema 30, or AV 30, or AV 20.   I have the main outs from the Cinema 30  routed through the HT bypass on a ModWright LS99 / KWA99 setup.  

Waiting for the Black Friday sales to add the Dirac processing 

I would simply get a mid-tier AVR like the Onkyo RZ50 and use it strictly for movies. Then use the other part of the budget on a 2 channel preamp for music.

When you want to switch between the two, use a switch like the Little Bear MC3. That's how I'm setup.

I have both Pioneer/Onkyo and Marantz AVR. The Pioneer is much more rich and warm. It filters high frequency static and edges well but at the expense of sounding flat. It pairs great with B&W for music. The Marantz is barely warm, more neutral. You can still hear static and rough edges. In any case, some of the cons is why I recommend using a 2 channel preamp for music.

Lots of progress has been made and setup and integration. It is now simple. Mic and stand is supplied and the process is automated and only takes ten or fifteen minutes. The processor adjusts itself and does a great job.

@Charban

Agree regarding what products evolve with technology updates and which less so. It's one of the reasons I went for separate amp and processor, my amp is now good for 10 - 20 yrs and I just need to update the processor as and when it's justifiable (every 5yrs?). It's also why I'm buying a used processor a generation or so old, I'm getting almost as good gear for less than half price of the new stuff. In fact a leasing option would make sense .