Take a look at Pioneer Elite SC line. They have nice quality Class D3 Amps and sound very good. Big fan of Pioneer Elite AV Amps here. Used are a bargain too!
Reliable Mid-Priced 7.2 Channel Receiver
We're near move-in to a new home, sold the ancient Onkyo 5.1 receiver and am looking at 7.2 channel new options. I was looking at the Denon S960H, generally seems good power and currently down to $599, plus $50 coupon.
The bad news...reading reviews. I look at the 1 & 2-stars (of 5) reviews on Amazon and Best Buy and it gets scary...lots of issues. So I looked at Yamaha (next) and Sony and Pioneer in that price range. Almost all have numerous, serious complaints, some also poor customer support.
This will be used in the main room with 75" tv (streaming), Blu-Ray and old CD player. I would love to use it as the source selector (is that ARC?) but if an issue I would usually use just the TV sound, and if source selection became an issue, just send the sound to the receiver via optical and turn on the receiver sound / source manually as I did with the old Onkyo.
So, I am most interested in how to select a reliable 7.2 receiver in my price range. Perhaps best to order with a place with good return policy, like Best Buy, versus some random Amazon provider?
All input is most appreciated.
Paul
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Receiver’s Preamp Out: make sure it has Front L and Front R preamp outs for future options. NO WAY are you going to use the TV’s speakers. 7.2? are you going to buy/install all those speakers and then use the TV speakers? I recommend a simpler and effective 5.1 system (7.2 AVRs have 5.1 modes), with a real center speaker, horizontal, located just below the TV so dialog is from the TV. Mine, no rear ports https://www.klipsch.com/products/r-34c-center-channel-speaker rear surround, just enough to add something, not aware of them until you turn them off, or, obviously rear content like helicopter in Black Halk Down, that sort of thing. I use a small pair on their backs, using the space between the rear wall and back of sofa kind of like a horn. I stuffed their rear ports Sub, not too big, but add some dinosaur stomp like Jurassic Park. Now, the most important: Front. Efficency close to center channel’s efficency to easily balance their respective volumes. ....................................... ARC is Audio Return Channel, so equipment works together tricky to understand, but you want it. Some devices use two HDMI cables, one for viseo, 1 for audio. I got mine working, with help from Sony. Your maker will help you get it all working. ............................................... Always Video? or sometimes 2 channel music? More to say about that if dual use.
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Also a fan of Denon. But for that matter, would not discount any of the other brands (Sony, Yamaha, Pioneer...) based on reviews you see on websites. The totality reviews on BB's website of the S960H shouldn't give cause for alarm. 4.5 of 5 rating off of 605 total reviews? If you look at the distribution, 445 of those reviews are rated five; you could probably consider the 1's (and possibly 2's) as outliers and completely disregard them. I'm sure Denon's receiver (and the competitors mentioned) would perform just fine. Also, I echo @elliottbnewcombjr thoughts on the speakers: definitely start auditioning now for a full setup, minimum 5.1. While not electronics, and buying used is a viable proposition - speakers are the more subjective (but arguably the most fun) choice in setting up a new HT system. |
I worked for Magnolia and got to audition several AVRs back to back driving B&W 804D3s, and compared to Arcam, Marantz, and Denon the Yamaha was by far the one that reminded me most of my $10k separate stereo amp/preamp. Not even close. Also, Yamaha is the most reliable of the bunch. If you have the extra $$$ absolutely go for an Anthem AVR, but if not buy a Yammy, and you can get a huge discount if you buy from accessories4less.com. Just my $0.02 FWIW. |
- 27 posts total