Recommendations for a New AV Receiver

[ShokWaveRider]

I am looking for a new (or used) AVR Receiver. I do have specific requirements but do not want to spend a fortune. My trusty Onkyo 875 just gave up the ghost after 12 years, and I really do not want to bother to repair it. This thing weighs a ton anyway and needs a crane to move it...

My requirements are:

7.x channels as I need at least 1 powered Zone for the whole house speaker system (Normally channels 6 and 7)
I think I need 100w per channel as I have some up market B&W Kevlar Speakers (6 ohm)
HDMI inputs only are needed and would prefer HDMI 2
IR In and out jacks (I use a URC single remote RF - IR Central Remote system)

A Want but do not absolutely need is an Auxiliary Power plug that comes on when the Amp comes on line (Out of standby) as I have exhaust fans in the Cabinet that I would like to not have to manually turn on.

I have been out of the HiFi loop for years and really do not know what is available that fits my needs. I certainly do not want a Top of the line, model, or anywhere near one really. (the Onkyo was one of the best at the time, and I paid dearly for that). My Poor old ears cannot tell the difference now.

Any help would be appreciate.

Here is a pic of my setup.

 

[golfnut]

Quite a setup you have. Suggest you join the avs.com forum and post your inquiry there. Lots of audio experts/info on that site.

 

[kcowan]

I would check craigslist because the market for high end equipment has disappeared. We can no longer count on young people buying.

I got a Pioneer 5 channel receiver for $75 a few years ago.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Yes, looking at craigslist and all the local boards, even eBay has some options. I was hoping someone here would have done some recent legwork. I have seen some Sony and Denon devices that sort of fit the bill. But there are so many to choose from.

 

[Jerry1]

Quite a setup you have. Suggest you join the avs.com forum and post your inquiry there. Lots of audio experts/info on that site.

I agree with checking another site. I have a Yahama and really like it. It was a good price unit for the features I wanted at the time. It’s been several years now though so like you, I’d be hard pressed to know what to buy today. It sounds like you know what you need in terms of features. I’d just go buy the least expensive unit I could find that met your specks. I don’t think it matters to the majority of us. I never could really tell the difference unless the unit was complete garbage.

 

[eytonxav]

I have always had good luck with Yamaha and Denon over the years and there should be plenty of models/prices to choose from with either brand.

 

[OldShooter]

Personally, I would want a receiver that had HD radio capabilities. The HD train has kind of left the station but there are still a couple of stations in our metro area that I like to listen to. One continuously broadcasts the BBC. Both our cars have HD and we have an HD radio in our bedroom set up with a timer as a clock radio.

I would also want a receiver with an RJ-45/Cat 5 jack and capability to connect to streaming audio. This could be over the internet or simply over your local network from a media server.

 

[camfused]

This place always seemed like a decent place to get last year's models Denon (and others) receivers, refurbished, for a good price: https://www.accessories4less.com/ma.../receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html

I personally would consider the Denon X line.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

The Pioneer Elite VSX-LX-104 seems to have the features I need to drive all my speakers. I am looking for a Denon equivalent.

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

I've had Yamaha and Onkyo home theater receivers the last 10-15 years and been really happy with them.

 

[upupandaway]

ShokWaveRider - I just want to say you have a very nice looking setup. I will have to post a picture of my theatre so you can see what I went with. I love the built in speaker look. This time around I went with Denon. I feel the reciever works well and I have had good luck with it. HDMI switching is much better then it used to be. The Denon app stinks but the alexa integration is rock solid.

 

[upupandaway]

If it helps this is what I went with after a lot of research.

ITEMS ORDERED
SKU Description Qty Unit Price Subtotal
DENAVRS940H DENON AVR-S940H 7.2-Ch x 90 Watts Networking A/V Receiver w/HEOS (DENAVRS940H)
1
Denon Factory Refurbished $319.99 $319.99
Order Subtotal: $319.99
Shipping: $0.00
Tax: $0.00
GRAND TOTAL: $319.99

 

[SAinMinn]

I am a two-channel audio guy, watching TV rarely and just playing it through my two-channel system when I do.

But I would recommend checking out NAD's AV products. As I was getting into audiophile type stuff, NAD was what I started with and I got some good value for the money. I think you'll find some deals on used gear because it's sort of entry-level audiophile stuff.

I have bought and sold several things on Audiogon.com. This is an interesting listing:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/l...-home-theater-receiver-remote-18550-receivers

 

[HFWR]

My $300 Sony works for me.

High-efficiency speakers may not need 100w/ch to do the job.

 

[upupandaway]

A Want but do not absolutely need is an Auxiliary Power plug that comes on when the Amp comes on line (Out of standby) as I have exhaust fans in the Cabinet that I would like to not have to manually turn on.

Here is a pic of my setup.

If your reciever doesnt have this it's not a show stopper you can achieve the same thing with these power strips for $25. Our power company gave them to us for free for doing an energy assessment. They also changed out all of our bulbs in the entire house to LED and changed our shower heads. What a weird too good to be true program but I'm not arguing with free stuff that continues to save me money.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JPDYYSM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8GzFDbYGNYJ8K

 

[RobbieB]

I like my Cambridge Audio receiver.

 

[explanade]

They’re about to roll out HDMI 2.1, a major upgrade.

You may or may not need the features. For instance it supports higher bandwidth for things like high frame rates and 8k resolution.

Products will get announced at CES in January and ship throughout next year.

They may start with high end models at first though, as they typically have more powerful processors for the bandwidth.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

If it helps this is what I went with after a lot of research.

ITEMS ORDERED
SKU Description Qty Unit Price Subtotal
DENAVRS940H DENON AVR-S940H 7.2-Ch x 90 Watts Networking A/V Receiver w/HEOS (DENAVRS940H)
1
Denon Factory Refurbished $319.99 $319.99
Order Subtotal: $319.99
Shipping: $0.00
Tax: $0.00
GRAND TOTAL: $319.99

Thanks, I will check it out also.

 

[camfused]

If your reciever doesnt have this it's not a show stopper you can achieve the same thing with these power strips for $25. Our power company gave them to us for free for doing an energy assessment. They also changed out all of our bulbs in the entire house to LED and changed our shower heads. What a weird too good to be true program but I'm not arguing with free stuff that continues to save me money.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JPDYYSM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8GzFDbYGNYJ8K

I have similar. It turns my cooling fans and subwoofer off/on when the receiver turns off/on. Works flawlessly.

I have two silent 120mm PC case fans that blow on my equipment in my cabinet.

 

[Dawg52]

Quite a setup you have. Suggest you join the avs.com forum and post your inquiry there. Lots of audio experts/info on that site.

Or take a look at this site.

https://www.avforums.com/homecinema/reviews/

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Just for additional Info, I have all the devices themselves in an "Audio" Closet. It is basically our hall closet but happens to be conveniently behind the Right Bookshelves. I ran all the cables to the closet and installed a whole house URC Universal RF Remote system. I use the URC MX-880 series, I have 4 of them at the moment with MRF 350 Controllers. The MX-880 is not the latest and greatest, but I have tried a few and like them the best, easy to program and very flexible. I prefer "Hard" button remotes to the "Soft" touch screen type. They are really cheap to find used also. I have the programming software which is also handy.

I have no real need for HDMI 2.1, at least not now and probably never will.

$300 seems fair for a decent Receiver. I borrowed a Sony STR DH800 from a friend to get me by, but it does not have a Zone 2 setting, so my whole house speakers are currently dormant. But the Sony was the right price, at lease so far.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I am a two-channel audio guy, watching TV rarely and just playing it through my two-channel system when I do.

But I would recommend checking out NAD's AV products. As I was getting into audiophile type stuff, NAD was what I started with and I got some good value for the money. I think you'll find some deals on used gear because it's sort of entry-level audiophile stuff.

I have bought and sold several things on Audiogon.com. This is an interesting listing:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/l...-home-theater-receiver-remote-18550-receivers

That NAD has no HDMI

 

[RonBoyd]

I am on my second Yamaha (1st lasted over ten years). I am really pleased with the Aventage RX-A3080. https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx-a3080_u/index.html

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I think I "may" have found a 2018 Denon AVR X3300W locally on Craig's List for around $300. It fits the bill, Was wondering if it is a good deal?

 

[Animorph]

This place always seemed like a decent place to get last year's models Denon (and others) receivers, refurbished, for a good price: https://www.accessories4less.com/ma.../receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html

I personally would consider the Denon X line.

This is what I did. Refurbished Denon and Marantz receivers. Couldn't tell they weren't new. Officially approved by the manufacturer so there is a warranty. No problems after a few years now. The Denon was our cheap one for a second room TV with our first shot at Dolby Atmos.

I'd check for the latest HDMI specs since they've been changing at a pretty fast rate.

Other than that, find the Denon that meets your needs, find a low price, then read reviews and see if any of them compare it to other brands. That might give you a short list of receivers to look at in depth and price.

The 12V trigger output might work to control your fan. Otherwise some smart home stuff (Echo Dot and a smart plug) and a Logitech Harmony Hub would let you say "Alexa, turn on the TV" and turn on everything including the fan. Great for switching inputs at my house, something we used to have problems with.