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Need help in choosing an AV Receiver

1K views 12 replies 5 participants last post by  Theresa 
#1 ·
Hi all,


I am looking for a high quality AV Receiver.


My requirements are (in order of importance):

1. Sound performance!!!

2. HD decoders (including DTS HD MA)

3. Power enough for 30 square meters room

4. Ability to pass audio via HDMI through output

5. 3D

6. ARC

7. Automatic calibration

8. Standby Through

9. Ability to connect safely 4ohm speakers



Video upscaling, upconversion, USB, Apple, DLNA, LAN features are not deciding factors. Although nice to have, I am in a tight budget. However, I can overpay for the sound performance.

Source is gonna be a PC (80% - HD movies, 20% - lossless music)


And here's the list of available models in our local stores from which I can choose (sorted by local prices):


Yamaha RX-V371 - $333 - no Standby Through, no GUI, no automatic calibration

Yamaha RX-V471 - $482

Pioneer VSX-S300 - $495 - natively supports 4ohm speakers

Denon AVR-1713 - $547

Yamaha RX-V571 - $579

Pioneer VSX-826 - $595

Pioneer VSX-921 - $702

Denon AVR-2113 - $803

Yamaha RX-V767 - $821 - 4ohm (front only)

Yamaha RX-A810 - $981 - 4ohm (front only)

Onkyo TX-NR609 - $1004 - natively supports 4ohm speakers, THX certified

Pioneer VSX-LX53 - $1048

Denon AVR-2313 - $1105


What's your take? Which one is a winner quality/price wise?

I am leaning toward Onkyo TX-NR609? Would there be any great difference soundwise between this and, for instance, Yamaha RX-V371?


Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
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#2 ·
Sound preference is very subjective. If those are US dollars, those prices are ridiculous. (Judging by what I am seeing, you are not in North America) The Onkyo is particularly overpriced in relation to the other ones listed. That Onkyo model has a history of reliablity problems and has already been replaced by the NR616. Refurbs of it regularly go for $250 here in the states. Yamaha is probably the most reliable of the choices, but the lower models like the 371 and 471 use chip amps instead of discrete amps. Denon's have a rep of pretty good sound quality, often seen as better sounding than Onkyo (but again, its subjective) and are generally a tad more reliable than average. I'd take the Denon 2113 before the Onkyo, especially if its $200 cheaper (I'd be surprised if it has any more trouble driving 4-ohms than the Onkyo). The other model I'd probably look at out of these choices is the Yamaha RX-A810 which is a model from their higher end Aventage line. There are threads for both of these receivers on the forum so definitely read through them.


With that said, if you are looking at driving low efficiency 4-ohm speakers, I would be seriously looking at a separate dedicated amp built for it rather than home theater receivers, unless you can find something like a Harman Kardon 660/760 somewhere.
 
#3 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by bargugl  /t/1444849/need-help-in-choosing-an-av-receiver#post_22693331


Sound preference is very subjective.

However, preference only makes sense if there are actual audible differences. As amps, preamps, DSPs, and DACs that is unlikely with modern equipment.
Quote:
If those are US dollars, those prices are ridiculous. (Judging by what I am seeing, you are not in North America) The Onkyo is particularly overpriced in relation to the other ones listed. That Onkyo model has a history of reliablity problems and has already been replaced by the NR616. Refurbs of it regularly go for $250 here in the states.

Agreed. For example the last price I saw for the Yamaha V371 was under $170.
Quote:
Yamaha is probably the most reliable of the choices, but the lower models like the 371 and 471 use chip amps instead of discrete amps.

Actually all SS amps use chip amps. In some cases the chip is a single chip that is the whole power amp minus a few bulky parts. In other cases the amp is a encapsulated piece of ceramic or metal substrate with a number of chips bonded to it. In other cases there is a messy and potentially unreliable plastic circuit board with many parts bonded to it but open to the air, and some of the parts are themselves a single encapsulated chip bonded to a substrate.


Obviously, the performance of the amp is based on the amp's components and configuration with the packaging taking a big back seat. That is why I always say judge components based on how they perform, not the unimportant details of how they are made.
Quote:
Denon's have a rep of pretty good sound quality, often seen as better sounding than Onkyo (but again, its subjective) and are generally a tad more reliable than average. I'd take the Denon 2113 before the Onkyo, especially if its $200 cheaper (I'd be surprised if it has any more trouble driving 4-ohms than the Onkyo). The other model I'd probably look at out of these choices is the Yamaha RX-A810 which is a model from their higher end Aventage line. There are threads for both of these receivers on the forum so definitely read through them.


With that said, if you are looking at driving low efficiency 4-ohm speakers, I would be seriously looking at a separate dedicated amp built for it rather than home theater receivers, unless you can find something like a Harman Kardon 660/760 somewhere.

The idea that all receivers or all receivers except those from a single manufacturer can't drive 4 ohm low efficiency speakers is yet another audiophile myth. Many audiophile power amps aren't any more robust than the AVRs once you get under the covers. Note for example the common but not universal absence of ratings for 2 ohm loads. Furthermore some AVRs, like many of those from Yamaha do have 2 ohm ratings...


The lesson is that all generalities are false, even maybe this one! ;-)
 
#4 ·
I of course meant IC on the lower Yamaha vs discrete on the higher end, pardon my lazy vocabulary/writing. I should be more careful so its clear. As to whether different receivers sound different or not, that argument can go on forever so let's not start another thread on it. What's your opinion on what receiver the OP should look at?
 
#5 ·

Quote:
If those are US dollars, those prices are ridiculous. (Judging by what I am seeing, you are not in North America)
I know, right? These are prices in Kazakhstan, Almaty.
Quote:
The Onkyo is particularly overpriced in relation to the other ones listed.
Quote:
I'd take the Denon 2113
Quote:
The other model I'd probably look at out of these choices is the Yamaha RX-A810
Great, extremely helpful, thank you.

I am definitely narrowing down the list to these two then. Denon sounds about right and seems to offer more in terms of automatic calibration than Yamaha.

From what I gather, there isn't much/no difference in audio performance between Denon AVR-2113 and Denon AVR-2313, is that right?
 
#7 ·
Yamaha seems to be out of the race now.


How about comparing these two:

Denon AVR-2113 - $803

Marantz SR-5007 - $1105 (found it here for the same price as Denon AVR-2313)


I take it, these are almost twins (coming from sister producers), aside from cosmetic differences (Marantz sure looks classier), legacy connectivity, second subwoofer output.

I am not really planning to have external amp too. Is it worth paying $300 more?
 
#8 ·
Yes, sound characteristics between the two should be very similar. Regarding the 4-ohm requirement .... if you only plan on average level volumes (eg. -30db), the 2113 would be a good choice, however, if you prefer louder (ie. reference level) movie volumes, you may need to add an external amp and for that the 5007 has a full set of pre-outs whereas the 2113 does not.
 
#11 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by bargugl  /t/1444849/need-help-in-choosing-an-av-receiver#post_22693555



As to whether different receivers sound different or not, that argument can go on forever

That's where you are wrong. The question of whether or not different receivers can be spiked in almost no time with some properly-done listening tests.


Believe it or not, the application of good Science can provide superior results to dueling opinions. ;-)


I'd love to do it, but not being independently wealthy, I'm not about to repeat what I did with PCAVTech and PCABX - give expensive (to me) free gifts of knowledge to the world in the name of Science.


And, there's no reason for any commercial entity to spend one dime supporting any effort to develop true knowledge in this area because it runs counter to their salesmanship.
Quote:
What's your opinion on what receiver the OP should look at?

Pick the one from a mainstream manufacturer that has the features they want on the grounds that as far as the basic amplifiers DACs and DSPs go, sonically its pretty much all the same. Yeah they measure different, but so what?


If I was formally researching the AVR market I'd start out by trying to figure out what the alphabet soup in the area of automated system optimization (YPAO, MCACC and Audyssey) means in terms of final listening SQ for the AVR's owner.


Right now it appears that far and away the strongest SQ differences among AVRs are related to the effectiveness of their (generally misnamed and missold) system optimization facilities.
 
#12 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aizhas  /t/1444849/need-help-in-choosing-an-av-receiver#post_22697550


Great, Denon it is then. Do you think Wharfedale Diamond 10.7 fronts would sound any good with this amp?

A whole different line of inquiry from my previous comment about AVRs is why pay the big bucks for yet another 2-way system with one or more 5 or 6 inch woofer/midrange(s) and a dome tweeter? (yes I know both these speakers we're talking about now are 3-ways and also have 2-4" midranges)


The Wharfdales are about $650 each, while the fairly similar Primus P363s are $200 each. What do you get for the other $450 each other than name and locality?


I admit it, I'm against both of them on the grounds that floorstanders are somewhat overkill if there is a good sub, which there must be for optimal SQ.


Presumably the midranges give smoother transitions in the area of directivity control through the critical midrange region, and the extra woofer grants a little more dynamic range in the upper bass.
 
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