Re: Anthem/Anthem x, if you go down that route or any in fact try before you buy. I bought an anthem x two years ago, it was the single most horrible bike I have ever used! But loads and loads of people like them but just goes to show what one person like the other doesn't.
I always felt like it was too neutral, had no life or character to it, and also felt too slack going up and too steep when going down (and I used to ride a klein with a 71.5 head angle with a fork that had lost 90% of it's squish so was probably more like a 72.5 head angle, had no issue with that!).
I really liked my old santa cruz blur xc, apart from the bearings which weren't too bad but not super long lived, it was great. You should be able to find one for not too much, the old aluminium frame, the new carbon one are insanly costly.
Other than that a trek fuel or specialized epic? Or if less proper xc an orange 5 would be at the top of my list.
Edit:Although if it was me and only personal choice and depends what terrain you regularly ride on, I would just get a well sorted hardtail. After returning to a hardtail after being left rather poor after the stupid anthem purchase I wouldn't go back (although I said I would never go back to a hardtail after the blur!) for normal xc riding. A well made high volume tyre gives me more than enough comfort for most things although if I had the cash I would buy a set of tubulars, then my current bike would be perfect.
Also could think about 29er's bit of extra comfort, no 29er advocate but could be worth looking into...I might have made things more complicated for you, if you have listened to this advice (nonsense!). Good luck finding something you like.