Will you be using a sub? Center? Surrounds?

What are your main speakers?

You can find an AVR under $200 that handles all those things but not an amp.

 

I have a 5.2 system.

Sounds like the alternative would be a amplifier, and those are more expensive than an AVR (which include features that aren't needed by most people, but are included because they helps with the marketing).

 

One thing to consider is a slimline AVR from Marantz with a smaller profile than standard AVRs.

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...gory/avreceiver/home-audio/receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html?brand_f[]=MARANTZ

 

How is a slimline avr a good alternative to a avr? What am I missing?

 

Well, first off, many of those features you list didn't cost much to put in the AVR IMHO. In my Yamaha, some of them like Pandora, Airplay aren't reliable anyway, so I use my TV or Apple TV. They're just gimmicks they included that you can get better from another device.

Phono and analog inputs .. well, those will probably be with us a while longer. Vinyl's making a comeback. What you possibly can avoid are the higher end units with HDMI, USB, DisplayPort/MiniDP inputs on the front.

Secondly, you can get a very capable, affordable AVR sold as open box, refurb, or old model on close out, at places like accessories4less or NewEgg. If the MSRPs are the primary complaint, that will mitigate your complaint.

If you want awesome sound from your 5.2 system ... consumer grade AVRs are possibly the best you can do. Who knows, you might get a feature in one you didn't realize you'd like, e.g support for an iOS or Android app so you don't have to use the supplied button-crazy remote.

Since you have two subs (5.2), this model seems like a good future-proof purchase.

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...nr1506/marantz-nr1506-slimline-5.2-ch-x-50-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

 

So are there any good alternatives to an audio visual receiver? Something that takes an hdmi and powers speakers (without unneeded features)?

If you have a 5.2 setup and want to power all of those speakers there is no alternative to an AVR except a pre pro and external amp which would be more costly. And its called Audio/Video Receiver not audio visual.

Integrated amps don't do 5.1 and if they did they'd cost more than an AVR anyway.

So if you don't want all the streaming and internet apps try buying an older non networked AVR. Yes it'll still be an AVR but you can't get around that for cheap.

 

I think what you'll come to find out that in your case, there is no a good alternative to an avr. Buy a cheap avr like entry level models from yamaha denon onkyo and be done with it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Buy yourself an Oppo bluray player. Make sure it has the 7 channel analog jacks out and volume control enabled over those analog jacks. Connect the 5. channels to a 5 channel amplifier and the .1 to your sub. Sit back and enjoy the sounds. I've done this with my Oppo 103 for a time but soon found that even the most basic AVR's are a much more flexible choice. Once I got the speaker distances and levels where I wanted them it sounded pretty good.

FWIW AVR manufacturers aren't going to start making AVR's with less - for every voice like yours asking for less there are 500 voices clamoring for more. Who do you think is going to get the manufacturer's attention?

 

I think you will find most people want Bluetooth, wifi and all of those features you deem useless

 

Alright, I'm convinced - in my case, there is no good alternative to a audio video receiver (avr). Appreciate you all.