Top ‘Mass Market’ Receivers ?

(1) Upgrading "connectivity" implies going from legacy old composite to HDMI . In a general "mass market" $2000++ price-strata, it’s just a "just pick one of ’em" simple selection process in a sea of pretenders generally void of contenders......Nada much to differentiate among them in a crowded arena of brands.

(2) Without prejudice to the above, go look up the tsunami of rant posts both here in AGON and on CANUCKAUDIOMART about the legendary AVR HDMI board failures plaguing virtually all crap build ChiFi AVRs. It’s invariably only a question of "when".... not "if" that they disappoint because they don’t last very long before they become a failed and now useless item that is now a boat anchor.

It affects virtually all the brands but ONKYO appears to be the worst in that their HDMI board failures are so legendary .

Caveat emptor http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=29836

These posts imply ONKYO units are built to a flawed design and cheapest build quality with the HDMI board failure issues are legendary and still continuing with arguably the highest rate of unit HDMI reported complaints re: failures, among the brands. ...AND NO FIX available.

E.g.: Onkyo TX-NR636 .... I’ve extracted another consumer posted review from CNET
98512 Sep 29, 2014

".... Onkyo is not a product I’d recommend as a purchase. Simply google Onkyo problems or Onkyo complaints and you’ll find what lots of us previous Onkyo owners have to say. I purchased one because of it’s features and after 18 months I now have a very expensive black brick which is unusable. Heating problems (my receiver was always on an open shelf with no heat generated above or below it. HDMI problems and a customer service that is unacceptable. While you might get a unit that will work, for the amount you are paying why gamble and have to pay again to send the heavy weight item to California for 2 or 3 [/i]months to get it back and it may still continue to have problems...."

Do some Due Diligence and research all the receivers problems before deciding on their uber-fast obsolescence and indicated current unreliable products.

The mass-marker fare ars all built to their lowest-you-can make pricepoint , so you pretty well have to go to a KRELL, CARY, or top ARCAM et al (all well north of $5000) to have some assurance or comfort of a better build product.

Update to prior post

(1) typo fix: it should read " SUB-$2000 price strata"

(2) inadvertently left out : based on user prior posted comments, the upper level  YAMAHA units appear to be the best of the general consumer "mass-market" fare.

My 10-year old Onkyo TX-SR876 has served me well.

The best combination of sound quality and reliability from what I've read between reviews and customer posts is Yamaha. 

ONKYO now has a restricted / limited relief website for its "loss of connectivity " AKA failed HDMI boards and HDMI ports

Loss of Audio/Network Connection Customer Care Program

https://care.onkyousa.com/na/003_2012.php

ONKYO fesses up to its HDMI and defective chip Failures

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-receivers-amps-processors/1652514-onkyo-acknowledges-failed-units-e...


"...... Onkyo acknowledges failed units and extending warrranties until 2018

Onkyo USA Support Information
08/19/2014

Loss of Audio/Network Connection Customer Care Program

As part of our commitment to quality and customer service we have determined that a limited number of Onkyo Brand receivers manufactured between 2009 and 2012 may experience loss of audio or loss of network connection. This malfunction has been traced back to a defective network chip.

We deeply regret any frustration or inconvenience this situation may have caused.

To address the problem and help people who may have an impacted receiver, Onkyo is launching a special Customer Care Program to remedy this issue for those receivers that may be affected by this loss of audio/network connection issue. This program has three steps:
1. Verify if your Onkyo receiver is impacted
2. Decide how you prefer to address the issue
3. Send us your receiver in a prepaid box and label that we will provide at no cost to you

As part of this program we are also extending our standard limited warranty period to cover this issue for affected receivers through December 31, 2018. All other terms, conditions and limitations of the original limited warranty shall continue to apply for the duration of the original standard limited warranty.

Importantly, please note that the loss of audio/network connection issue will not result in harm to any connected components or speakers since the issue is contained to a single element within the affected receivers.

To determine if your receiver is eligible under this Customer Care Program please click here
Loss of Audio/Network Connection Customer Care Program for US and Canada customers

We thank you for your loyalty!

Onkyo again apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and will provide this repair as expeditiously as possible....."