Upgrading looking for best 9.2 receiver in the 2k range

@rcoe not sure the x3700/x4700 have amp assign to allow you to use the 3 channel amp for LCR and the receiver for the rest? I think you still need a 2 channel amp for the rear height still?

You step up to the x6500 for 11 channels in a single box if you don't need hdmi 2.1, otherwise the x6700 and x8500 can assign but are well above the budget.

x3700 can do 2 zones while the big brother x4700 can do 3 zones, if that is a requirement?

eriksells916 said:

@rcoe not sure the x3700/x4700 have amp assign to allow you to use the 3 channel amp for LCR and the receiver for the rest? I think you still need a 2 channel amp for the rear height still?

You step up to the x6500 for 11 channels in a single box if you don't need hdmi 2.1, otherwise the x6700 and x8500 can assign but are well above the budget.

x3700 can do 2 zones while the big brother x4700 can do 3 zones, if that is a requirement?

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The x3700/x4700 allow you to amp assign the front L/R or rear height and it will do the rest

Source: I’m doing it right now with an Emotiva 3 ch amp for my front stage.

PixelPusher15 said:

The x3700/x4700 allow you to amp assign the front L/R or rear height and it will do the rest

Source: I’m doing it right now with an Emotiva 3 ch amp for my front stage.

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So on the 3700 you can only do front L/R reassinged to the external amp? What about the center? I was thinking the 3700 emotiva combo would be a killer relatively inexpensive route.

If the receiver has a pre-out for the LCR, it must support an external amp for those channels. Otherwise, what's the point of the pre-outs? My guess is you instruct the amp to use rear height instead of LR and hook up the amp to LCR pre-outs. Nothing else would make sense.

rcoe said:

So on the 3700 you can only do front L/R reassinged to the external amp? What about the center? I was thinking the 3700 emotiva combo would be a killer relatively inexpensive route.

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You can't amp assign the center but it has the 11.2 preouts so you can still power the center with the Emotiva. Its just that the x3700 will still be sending power to the terminals for the center. You can shut all the internal amplification down as well but that is an all-or-nothing thing.

I'm just reconciling the thread title - Do you want 11 channel processing with only 9 amplified?
If so, a refurbished AVR-X3600H may be the lowest priced option with a warranty.
Besides Denon AVR-X3x00H/Marantz SR601x or higher, there's Yamaha RX-A3080, the Pioneer SC-LX701/4 (and higher) and Onkyo TX-RZ7x0 (and higher) or all of those brands upcoming models.
There are probably a couple of Integra models as well.

rcoe said:

Finally upgrading the theater to 4k and need a replacement for my trusty Denon 4311ci. Going to be doing an 11.2 system but already have an Emotiva 3 channel for the front stage so thinking I might just need a 9.2 receiver. Was thinking of going with the Denon 3700 but thought I might want to look into other options. Only going to be used for some TV but mainly movies.

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PixelPusher15 said:

You can't amp assign the center but it has the 11.2 preouts so you can still power the center with the Emotiva. Its just that the x3700 will still be sending power to the terminals for the center. You can shut all the internal amplification down as well but that is an all-or-nothing thing.

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Yes I understand now, guess the center channel power off the receiver would just not be used. Then I would re assign the the front L/R to one of the other surround channels. Looks like you have this setup, how do you like yours?

philpoe said:

I'm just reconciling the thread title - Do you want 11 channel processing with only 9 amplified?
If so, a refurbished AVR-X3600H may be the lowest priced option with a warranty.
Besides Denon AVR-X3x00H/Marantz SR601x or higher, there's Yamaha RX-A3080, the Pioneer SC-LX701/4 (and higher) and Onkyo TX-RZ7x0 (and higher) or all of those brands upcoming models.
There are probably a couple of Integra models as well.

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Yes 11 processed channels with 9 amped. I have a 3 channel amp I am planning on using for the front stage.

Concerned if I go with older models I might have hdmi issues with certain 4k inputs, especially moving forward.

rcoe said:

Yes I understand now, guess the center channel power off the receiver would just not be used. Then I would re assign the the front L/R to one of the other surround channels. Looks like you have this setup, how do you like yours?

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I like it. I came from a Yammy RX-A1020 that at that time was in the same price bracket. That thing was for sure built better. Not saying the Denon is cheap feeling, just that the Yammy felt a bit more premium and beefier. It makes sense though, since that 1020 the 1000-1300 price bracket has added a ton of features and more powered channels/preouts in essentially the same chassis.

At the end of the day I like the sound it outputs and I believe most of my complaints are due to room acoustics, not the receiver. I’m actually planning on selling the Emotiva to put toward other HT stuff. I really don’tneed the external amplification and bought it back when I didn’t know better and just thought it was cool lol.

rcoe said:

Yes I understand now, guess the center channel power off the receiver would just not be used. Then I would re assign the the front L/R to one of the other surround channels. Looks like you have this setup, how do you like yours?

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I have an X4300H (2016 model). I'm not 100% sure, but I think that the 3700's setup is the same.

You get to choose whether the L/R fronts or the rear heights don't use the internal amps.

All of the primary zone pre-outs are active all the time in 11 channel mode.

I have a 3 channel amp used for LCR. The amp in the X4300H for the center channel is not used. Frees up a little current for the other 8 amps, used for the surrounds and the four Atmos speakers.

Thanks looks like the 3700 might be the one for me. Going to order it directly from Denon to make sure I get one of the new units that supposedly has the fixed hdmi issues.