Your Next AV receiver and why?

Yamaha has done well for me, but I admit I have not owned other gear - perhaps some other brands are better in some way, like HDMI working better with more sources.

Onkyo (since I just ordered one).

I've actually never owned anything from Onkyo before, so it will be a test drive of sorts. For whatever reason, I don't feel much brand loyalty when it comes to receivers. Every mass-market brand seems to be ready to whore themselves out to the latest licensed (or equivalent in-house) technology instead of doing a better job at the basics. Marketing drives product development.

On the other hand, I could've voted with my dollars for another approach by going with a boutique brand that emphasizes the basics, so I guess I'm just as at fault. Don't say I'm not cynical, though.

Other brands I have owned are Pioneer and Sherwood. I don't get the same itch to upgrade receivers that I do for other gear...just now doing it for the convenience of HDMI and a powered 2nd zone in what will be my most permanent home theater yet. Had those features not been a factor, I think I would've been fine with my 10+ year old Pioneer for several more years.

I have yet to experience a jump in home theater sound quality (independent of speakers) equivalent to the switch from Pro Logic to AC3/DTS. Lossless codecs and 7+ speakers don't do much for me, I'm afraid.

I think they all do a good job at the basics, Noah.

Where some fall short, is in some of the following areas -
* Usability (Some are harder to use)
* HDMI ( some seem to work better than others with some gear)
* Value ( some receivers are pricey for what you are getting)
* Quality (some models from some brands and a bad rep for breaking)
* Power (some models may lack enough power for some users)

I liked the Audyssey MultEq feature, and Denon and Onkyo both had it. Onkyo tends to have lower levels of MultEq, so my Denon is on the way.

I am saving for one of the new ANTHEM AVR's!!

Had a Denon. Now very satisfied with a Marantz SR8002.

For the next receiver I'm looking for a sub $300 deal on a NR1501 for the game room. No need for 3D.

What makes you say that?

Both brands offer up to MultEQ XT32.

Choosing options on this poll is kind of like deciding what brand of car to buy and limiting yourself to models from that brand.

You'll probably be better off picking a price range and level of features within that price range and then looking at specific models from various manufacturers that fall into that range. Every one of those brands has good receivers to choose from, and they've also all got junk.

Denon for me...

XT32..dual sub controls.. 11 channels

unless some really nice pre/pro comes out soon, this denon wil last me awhile.

I have a Yamaha V-RX765 which I like, but I think I am saving my pennies for either a Denon 3311CI or possibly a Denon 4311CI once the new models (presumably 3312 and 4312) come out and the current models go into clearance/discontinued pricing.

I like the presence feature on the Yamaha and YPAO has done a decent job in my room, but I think my next receiver will have Audsessy MultiEQ XT or higher, primarily for the possibility of enabling Audsessy Pro and having a pro calibration done at some point down the road. That is the primary reason my next unit probably won't be a Yamaha.

Other than that, I'm mostly looking for a unit with the advanced controls with regards to cross over points and amp configurations, etc. My heart isn't set on a Denon, just that the 3311CI seems to fit the bill at the moment.

Pioneer. Last years (1019?) model is the cheapest solution that has pre outs that I know of. Under $400 at the big river.

Integra. I just bought one. Will be test driving it to compare with my current Yamaha V663.

I chose Pioneer because I was recently shopping for a sub $500 AVR for a 2nd setup. The 1120 easily seemed to be a top pick there.

My next is Onkyo 508 3D ready refurbished. Club Onkyo is having 20% off with free shipping. With my 15 points it was <130.

Just picked up the SR8002 this morning!

Bought the Onkyo TX-NR708, mostly for connectivity (I have some legacy gear, and the Onkyo doesn't skimp on s-video, etc.), & feature/price ratio.

I didn't think I'd use the network features much, but I do; it comes with commercial-free Pandora at no charge.

I recently bought the Onk 3008 for one big reason; it's the least expensive AVR on the market with MultiEQXT32 (and therefore, with the SubEQ technology). I'm looking to run 2 subwoofers in my theater, and having SubEQ onboard is a huge cost savings to me (the external processors are all about 400-600 dollars). Also, the MultiEQXT32 is a big upgrade from my older Pioneer room correction software.

Finally, it has HDMI overlay (as does almost everything now) which was another must have for me.

If you want the newest Audessey (which I think has a bigger impact on SQ than almost anything else they can put in an AVR today), you really only have a few options. Denon 4311, Onk 3008/5008, and then some of the CI gear (Integra, for example).

^^^

don't kid yourself... looks are far more important than you give them credit for... if your eyes aren't happy, your ears are pre-disposed to be unhappy...

looks are likely more important to your "happiness" than what chips are in the box, regardless of all the hullaballoo about this dac and that one...

Any new receiver that can put out more than 5 watts per channel with all channels driven would definitely be a keeper in my book. Sadly, I'm not sure I will find one available in today's market anytime soon.

Thank goodness for pre-outs and pro amps, right?

My next receiver, not replacing but supplementing my mighty Denon 3808 (it will put out over 100w/ch all driven), is a Marantz NR-1501. Why? Size, price, Marantz sound

My trusted Yamaha lasted me 8 years without a hick-up and sure will last another 8, but in a bedroom setup or at friends house.

However - I decided to try Denon this time, mostly because of the chance to snap one perfect open box for $529 at local BB (although was eying the Yamaha RX -A2000, still like it very much).
So far - love the Denon, even though I have not run Audyssey MultiXT yet - I like what I'm hearing.

Onkyo TX-NR808 here

After much reading I came to the conclusion that audyssey multeq was the room correction mode I'd go with. Not sure that it's the best, but it seemed to make the most sense to me. I finally got an Onkyo ht-r270 because it also had networking and zone 2 and was the cheapest receiver I could find that had what I wanted. In 5 or 10 yrs when I talk myself into getting the must have features I'll probably get the cheapest one that has it all again.

cconenj, Unfortunately this is true more than I'd like to admit.

I will say that my old Emotiva amp and pre were so cool it was hard not to like. But alas, I needed networking and audyssey. But I am going to keep the amp with the Onkyo.

Over the past 15 years I have had a (Chronologically) Pioneer (OK but underpowered) a Denon (broke down and had to be replaced) a Yamaha (still doing service well, but no HDMI) and most recently an Onkyo which is still doing service as well and has HDMI. My preference for the future would be probably another Onkyo.

My next AVR is an Anthem MRX-300. Reason is the Anthem Room Correction software (ARC) makes it sound good and Anthem makes good amps also.