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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
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. 

 

christian's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
christian
78 posts
 

denons typically do NOT have front pre-out

Yamaha's typically DO have front pre-out.

Always check the back panel, pre-out

Hmmmm... this had me scratching my head, thinking it was untrue.  But it is indeed the case - interesting; learned something today:

You get Front Pre-Outs on the Yamahas at a much cheaper price point.  Same with the Multi Pre-Outs at $50 difference (don't really count the X4700H as it's discounted due to phase out).

Denon AVR-X4700H $1500 Multi Pre-Out ($600 Discount, model phasing out)
Denon AVR-X3800H $1700 Multi Pre-Out

Yamaha RX-V6A $850 Front Pre-Out
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2A $1150 Front Pre-Out
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A4A $1650 Multi Pre-Out

kobebar's avatar
kobebar
4 posts
 

If the sound of your system is the most important thing to you, get an Anthem, they have a great seven channel system and its very reasonably priced, I have had mine for three years now and love it, powers my AV123 GR Research LS6 Line Source speakers perfectly. 

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