[SUOrangeman]

 AVR comparison chart and other files on Google Docs


{Original message from January 2009}


Like some fellow readers, I'm beginning the search for a new receiver. I've been browsing the AMPs/Receivers/Procs threads here for a few weeks. I see that there are plenty of "Official" owners' threads for a particular model/line. I also see quite a few "best AVR for {some price}?" threads (three or four near the top of the heap right now).

Is there a single, somewhat-unified resource that lets us compare AVR *specs* across manufacturers? I realize that there are a bazillion AVR models available and some vendor/price search sites do a fair job of refining searches based on specs. However, I think there's room for improvement.


Here's my personal example:


I'm in the market for a 7.1-capable receiver that supports all of the latest codecs and has 3 (minimum)/4+ (preferred) HDMI inputs and some sort of Audyessy-like calibration. Other optional niceties would be support for HD Radio tuning, multiple zones ... possibly from multiple HDMI outputs). Of course, I'd want all of this at the lowest price possible.

Sure enough, my research has uncovered some nice offerings like the Denon AVR-4308CI and the Yamaha RX-V3900 that would meet all of my needs and then some. At the moment, I'm not too willing to pay for the extras that I'll likely never use.


However, it would be great if some site would let me plug in some of those specific desires and spit out a list of capable units. I'm not aware of such a tool.


To that end, I've created an AVR comparison chart on Google Docs that I intend to help me in my search. At the moment, I've populated that chart with very little data. However, anyone should be able to edit this chart ... even without having a Google Docs account. I hope that some of the owners and experts here are willing to add some information to help complete the chart. I invite you all to add any piece of AVR hardware you want, as well as any "data column" you'd like to see. I don't intend for this document to be the one-and-only AVR comparison chart ever, but I'm hoping it can be the start of something useful.

FYI: If you are prompted to sign into Google Docs to simply view the file, chances are that you are blocking cookies or your browser is in some weird state. This file is supposed to be editable by anyone. I only ask that you not delete any information unless it is absolutely incorrect.


Enjoy!


-SUO

 

[SUOrangeman]

Any worthwhile inputs?

 

[k huntin]

I have been looking for a kind of "one stop" comparison site for weeks now to no avail.


I'm in the same boat you are. I'm glad I did not go into research for a living because this driving me nuts.


I noticed you do not have Onkyo on your list. That seems to be all the rage here of late; do you have reasons for omitting Onkyo?


I have actually purchased and returned 3 receiver in the past 3 months. I want and need my 4th to be the winner but my time and patients are running out. Harmon Kardon and Yamaha are off my list.


My experience over the past 3 months has taught me that you can look at all the specs in the world but is it going to be compatible w/your other equip.


All my other equip. is new (with in 6 months) and the receiver is going to have to work with it.


I am now looking at the Onkyo 706 or 805 or possibly the 606 for a lot of the same concerns you have - Am I going to use or even miss all the extra "stuff".


Sorry about the long winded post.

 

[jasenj1]

Very nice idea. If people respect it, you should be able to develop a reasonably useful chart there.


- Jasen.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Thank you both for the encouragement. Hopefully, some happy owners will contribute their findings to the chart and really make it useful.


For the moment, I am purposely leaving off Onkyo models for *my personal* search. Although my current recevier (and 10-year-old rebadged by Toshiba) is an Onkyo, some of the comments on the newer models that I've read here make it seem like the company is *NOT* meeting customer needs. Admittedly, I don't think these issues are present with the "older" models, but some mentions of heat and lack of firmware updates (Integra) force me to proceed cautiously. There are certainly some models in the 876-to-906 range that would meet nearly all of my needs and desires.


Feel free to add Onkyo and other models to that spreadsheet if you wish!


-SUO

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

I added some Onkyo models with some notes on features not featured in your columns. Should there maybe be columns for video scaling/upconverting features as well as what chipsets are used? Also, maybe a column for what DACs are used? Maybe weight as well? I didn't want to add these without the OP's permission.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Thanks for the additions. I have no problems if you want to add columns. The more information we have, the better the decisions that can be made.


I added some placeholders for more models today (HK, Rotel, Sony) merely because I saw glanced through the threads.


-SUO

 

[SUOrangeman]

Small update! We're up to almost 30 receivers in the chart. I know that there's hundreds more we could add. If each reader would add just one model

(perhaps, the one you own!), I know that I ... and others ... would appreciate it.


-SUO

 

[MichaelJHuman]

Great idea, but know that new receivers are coming out quite often.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Indeed, I'm sure new models are announced or released all of the time. However, I'd bet that many of them coincide with events like CES, so we can expect bursts of announcements at a given time of the year.


Nonetheless, I hope this chart gives viewers an at-a-glance AVR comparison that apparently doesn't exist elsewhere. I guess we'll have to see how useful it is once we get to a hundred or so AVRs listed.

I pushed the AVR count over 30 yesterday.


-SUO

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

Adding a column for LPCM over HDMI would be very helpful for folks looking for an older or lower-end AVR to handle source decoded audio over HDMI (i.e. PS3 and BD players with internal decoders).

 

[SUOrangeman]

Per request, I've added a second worksheet to this chart to cover some of the features you guys have suggested. These new colums are:


LPCM over HDMI

Video Chipset

Video Scaling

Upconvert

DACs Used


Since I cannot claim to be any kind of expert, I'll presume that the LPCM and Upconvert columns will likely contain YES or NO values; DACs Used will be a number. Of course, those aren't madates, just my own assumption. Once we get a good amount of data on the second sheet, I'll add the columns to the main worksheet. Feel free to add/suggest more columns for tracking.


I'm also taking requests for more AVRs to add to the chart. I just bought the Panasonic unit, so I'm out of the market for a while. Doesn't mean that I won't keep tabs on the latest and greatest hardware.


-SUO

 

[jayhawk11]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SUOrangeman /forum/post/15804263


Per request, I've added a second worksheet to this chart to cover some of the features you guys have suggested. These new colums are:


LPCM over HDMI

Video Chipset

Video Scaling

Upconvert

DACs Used


Since I cannot claim to be any kind of expert, I'll presume that the LPCM and Upconvert columns will likely contain YES or NO values; DACs Used will be a number. Of course, those aren't madates, just my own assumption. Once we get a good amount of data on the second sheet, I'll add the columns to the main worksheet. Feel free to add/suggest more columns for tracking.


I'm also taking requests for more AVRs to add to the chart. I just bought the Panasonic unit, so I'm out of the market for a while. Doesn't mean that I won't keep tabs on the latest and greatest hardware.


-SUO

I can give you whatever info you need on the AVR 254 and 354 from Harman/Kardon. Let me know what you need...and keep up the good work. The version of this for Blu Ray players is immensely helpful for me and my employees at work.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Thanks for the offer, jayhawk11. I just added those two models to the chart. Please verify my findings.


FYI, the webpage for the AVR-254 explicitly mentiones the audio decoding capabilities, but there is no information for the AVR-354. Can I assume that the 354, at a minimum, matches the 254?


I'd also appreciate any information on the last worksheet for those model (i.e., LPCM over HDMI, any video processing infor beyond the mention of Faroudja).


-SUO

 

[SUOrangeman]

Added two of the forthcoming Yamaha units (RX-V665 and RX-V765).


-SUO

 

[SUOrangeman]

Added Sony STR-DH500/STR-DH700/STR-DH800/STR-DN1000


-SUO

 

[jayhawk11]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SUOrangeman /forum/post/15834270


Thanks for the offer, jayhawk11. I just added those two models to the chart. Please verify my findings.


FYI, the webpage for the AVR-254 explicitly mentiones the audio decoding capabilities, but there is no information for the AVR-354. Can I assume that the 354, at a minimum, matches the 254?


I'd also appreciate any information on the last worksheet for those model (i.e., LPCM over HDMI, any video processing infor beyond the mention of Faroudja).


-SUO

Sorry about the delay. I updated the AVR 254/354 info for you. The 354 can decode all HD audio codecs, same as the 254. Both can also accept LPCM over HDMI, and use the Faroudja Torino chipset. They also upconvert all analog sources to 1080p over HDMI. Hope that helps!

 

[SUOrangeman]

Excellent input! Thanks.


I've also added a few more models (mostly from Sherwood, I think).


Anyone finding this chart useful? What would make it better?


07 March update: Approaching 50 AVRs on the chart and we've started tracking network and DSD capabilities


-SUO

 

[cyphrex]

I think the chart is very useful and encourage owners of late model receivers that are still on the market to input their units specs upon this chart. This chart reminds me of how Crutchfield puts a comparison chart for their products they sell. I have always found that a useful resource. The more input we get, I think this will make it easier for people to look at and make a decision on a model that will fit their needs best.


Cyphrex


So far, I updated some Denon and Onkyo models and added a power rating column.

 

[SUOrangeman]

I'm happy to annouce that the Onkyo TX-SR607 is the 50th AVR added to the chart. Thanks to everyone who has contributed thus far!


(Back to you regularly-scheduled March Madness

)


-SUO