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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

peahrens
kota1
2,706 posts
 

Congrats. the Denon has a lot of nice features and they are reliable. You may want to consider an after market power cord with any budget you have left, maybe Pangea or Signal cable for around $100.

soix
8,680 posts
 

You can get the Denon for $500 from accessories4less.  You might also take a look at the Yamaha RX-A780 from their higher Avantage line for only $450. 
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs960h/denon-avr-s960h-7.2-ch-x-90-watts-8k-a/v-receiver-w/heos/1.html

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa780bl-rb/yamaha-rx-a780-7.2-ch-x-95-watts-a/v-receiver/1.html

elliottbnewcombjr
5,139 posts
 

denons typically do NOT have front pre-out

Yamaha's typically DO have front pre-out.

Always check the back panel, pre-out

moonwatcher
337 posts
 

I have an OLD Denon 5.1 AVR in the den and it does everything I could hope. Yeah, my old TV is only 4K, not one of the newer 8K models. 

I can only comment that the Denon just works and this after more than a few firmware updates where I held my breath and hoped it never got bricked. 

Yeah, when playing FLACs or ALACs from a USB flashdrive I have had it act a bit flaky, but unplugging it for an hour seemed to resolve that. 

Just wish more 7.2 AVRs (less than $1500) had preamp outs for each channel on the back so we could add outboard amps if we ever wanted. Good luck. 

soundseeker810
11 posts
 

I agree with the above statement regarding amp pre-outs. Future proof so to speak. During covid I bought a Denon AVR 2700. Awesome receiver. At the time I didn't think about pre-outs or the fact that a almost $1000 receiver wouldn't have them. Now I've got into running amps and the Denon just sits in the storage room. Had to buy a used Onkyo TX- RZ 810 for half of what the Denon cost. I also agree with the 5.1 set up over the 7.1. actually I'd personally go 5.2 depending on the size of your room. 

 

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