I had thought I'd gotten this one pretty much pinned down. Since I have had experience with Denon products before and felt I could trust them not to exhibit unexpected limitations (currently using a 5803 MKII), I was recommending to my parents that they pick up the AVR-4306 for their 7.1 system. I knew that the model was within half a year of being replaced, but I also knew that the replacement would be more expensive.
The things the 4306 covered which I need: At least three HDMI inputs. HDMI output. Conversion of analog to HDMI. 24Hz support (at least passthrough). Unambiguous support for all typical resolutions and refresh rates up to and including 1080p60. 7.1 channel support with decent power per channel (for a small room). Correct (10dB) handling of LFE. Ability to utilize 5.1 audio in a 7.1 capacity. The price is also right at sub-$2k - actually closer to $1500 at this point - and, most importantly, it can be acquired new-in-box.
Known limitations of the unit / things that might have been nice: More HDMI inputs (never know). Two HDMI outputs (the parents will eventually be alternating between a projector and plasma). On-screen interface in HD and without limitations such as the occasional inability to display anything at all on some resolutions / refresh rates. High quality audio D/A & amplification (according to most audiophiles, very few if any AV receivers achieve good results with audio, but certainly none of the Denons). I'll mention other stuff if I recall it later.
The lack of two HDMI outputs is a hangup that will eventually require a solution I won't like, such as an HDMI splitter that we can only hope doesn't introduce latency or have handshaking issues. Also a problem is the lack of more than three HDMI inputs, as I already have at least three devices planned which will take up all three inputs, leaving no room for whatever I might have forgotten or might come later.
Here's the deal. I know that competing models from other makers tend to be cheaper, simply because Denon has been moving their prices up and away lately, and seems set to really break banks with their newest models, all because of their name. That bugs me. I appreciate that their hardware has been, in my experience, reasonably stable, without nitty-gritty shortcomings that one would generally discover too late. I am dubious of the likelihood that other makers have gotten everything down as pat. For example: I think I read that Pioneer models have only recently started to properly boost the LFE. That's the sort of oversight that does not lend confidence to a manufacturer. Still, it is very true that the 4306 has shortcomings that will irritate me, mostly having to do with how long ago it was introduced. The trouble is that the closest thing to a proper improvement over the 4306 in Denon's lineup is a model costing effectively more than twice the price of the 4306!
So I'm here to seek options. I have basically no true familiarity with other makers, owing to my lack of experience with / trust in them. I'll research anything that sounds good. Thanks in advance!
The things the 4306 covered which I need: At least three HDMI inputs. HDMI output. Conversion of analog to HDMI. 24Hz support (at least passthrough). Unambiguous support for all typical resolutions and refresh rates up to and including 1080p60. 7.1 channel support with decent power per channel (for a small room). Correct (10dB) handling of LFE. Ability to utilize 5.1 audio in a 7.1 capacity. The price is also right at sub-$2k - actually closer to $1500 at this point - and, most importantly, it can be acquired new-in-box.
Known limitations of the unit / things that might have been nice: More HDMI inputs (never know). Two HDMI outputs (the parents will eventually be alternating between a projector and plasma). On-screen interface in HD and without limitations such as the occasional inability to display anything at all on some resolutions / refresh rates. High quality audio D/A & amplification (according to most audiophiles, very few if any AV receivers achieve good results with audio, but certainly none of the Denons). I'll mention other stuff if I recall it later.
The lack of two HDMI outputs is a hangup that will eventually require a solution I won't like, such as an HDMI splitter that we can only hope doesn't introduce latency or have handshaking issues. Also a problem is the lack of more than three HDMI inputs, as I already have at least three devices planned which will take up all three inputs, leaving no room for whatever I might have forgotten or might come later.
Here's the deal. I know that competing models from other makers tend to be cheaper, simply because Denon has been moving their prices up and away lately, and seems set to really break banks with their newest models, all because of their name. That bugs me. I appreciate that their hardware has been, in my experience, reasonably stable, without nitty-gritty shortcomings that one would generally discover too late. I am dubious of the likelihood that other makers have gotten everything down as pat. For example: I think I read that Pioneer models have only recently started to properly boost the LFE. That's the sort of oversight that does not lend confidence to a manufacturer. Still, it is very true that the 4306 has shortcomings that will irritate me, mostly having to do with how long ago it was introduced. The trouble is that the closest thing to a proper improvement over the 4306 in Denon's lineup is a model costing effectively more than twice the price of the 4306!
So I'm here to seek options. I have basically no true familiarity with other makers, owing to my lack of experience with / trust in them. I'll research anything that sounds good. Thanks in advance!
