Help with AV Receiver Choice

cesorg on 03/06/2016 - 10:04

I'm looking to retire a15-year-old Pioneer AV receiver which has served me very well but I think it's time to come into the present age of receiver technology. I'm looking at the so-called "mid range" class of 7.2 channel receivers and I've narrowed my choices down to the following three:

Onkyo TX- NR 646
Yamaha RX-V681
Denon AVRX2200W

I would appreciate any thoughts, comments or experiences with respect to any of these receivers to help me in my decision-making.

If it helps, my current set up revolves around an "old-ish" Series 6 Samsung 55 inch flatscreen (6-7 years old). A 4K screen is in my future but not in the immediate one. My system components include an HD set top box for the flatscreen, a Samsung Blu-ray player, and a Pioneer hard drive recorder. I also have an Apple TV unit set up with the flatscreen, so all four of the available HDMI ports on the TV are in use. I do have two ceiling speakers in addition to my 5.1 surround sound system, so I hope to be able to take advantage of the new Atmos capability that all of these receivers provide.

I look forward to your comments!

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Morien on 03/06/2016 - 10:52

    Used to have a budget Yamaha, liked it.
    Currently have a Denon X4000, like it.
    When I was researching I heard Onkyo have pretty big issues (hdmi handshake, reliability, warranty).

    So out of those three I'd look Yamaha or Denon. Broaden your horizons and look at Sony as well, heard GREAT things about their $1000ish receiver.

  • stretchie on 03/06/2016 - 12:23

    I'm also keen on the x2200w, and waiting for clearance sales to see if I can get it for around 650-700

    • cesorg on 03/06/2016 - 22:36

      Stretchie, any crystal ball predictions on when that might happen?

      • stretchie on 07/06/2016 - 11:18

        The new Denon amps have been announced, but not available for sale yet at the big retailers from their latest catalogs. I'm waiting patiently, hopefully it's not more than a month or two.

  • Voldox on 03/06/2016 - 12:26

    I have a Yamaha Amp (Mid Range) I bought in 2001 and it still works fine!
    http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/a-v-receivers/y…

    Can't comment on that particular model but when I replace it with one that actually has HDMI ports I will be strongly considering another Yamaha.

  • Blackrose on 03/06/2016 - 12:44

    Check out Excel Hi-fi they sell Yamaha refurbs, I know a few people that have bought from there and the item they purchased was as new.
    They currently have the RX-V1079 for $1099 http://www.excelhifi.com.au/rx-v1079-refurbished-latest-seri…

    The refurbs have 1/2 the normal warranty so the RX-V models have 12 month warranty and the Aventage RX-A models have 2 year warranty on refurbs.

  • sane on 03/06/2016 - 14:57

    I think I might be inclined to look at the old EoL Yamaha RX-V679 and see if I could find it for a decent price somewhere. Atmos is fine, but sources that use it are limited and half price for the receiver is a worthwhile discount that would buy a lot of Netflix or Spotify.

    BTW you will find that prices for AV gear in Australia are silly in comparison with other parts of the world. For instance, that RX-V679 can be had for AU$550-600 overseas, whereas here it's still AU$999. It could be worth your while to get it shipped, even with the weight.

    • salem on 03/06/2016 - 15:16

      Yeah pretty sure the next receiver I get will be from Amazon Germany. You'll get VAT removed from the list price being out of Europe, they have the same power voltage as us, and in the unlikely event that something goes wrong and you get no joy from Amazon from warranty (which hasn't been my experience), you could just buy a whole second one and still be ahead.

      eg: https://www.amazon.de/gp/aw/d/B010EB3RZY/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=…

    • stretchie on 07/06/2016 - 11:17

      Try Eastwood hifi, they have one for sale for $699

  • cesorg on 03/06/2016 - 22:45

    Sane/Salem, thanks for your recommendations. Has anyone had any experience buying off the German Amazon site? Are the prices listed inclusive of VAT and if so, how does VAT get removed when going through the online purchasing process? (My Australian mailing address is defaulted on the site).

    A separate question for anyone, how important is 4K upscaling ((for that future 4K TV purchase mentioned above). The Onkyo is the only unit in the list above which does not have this feature. Would anyone think this is a showstopper?

    Thanks to all above for your feedback so far!

    • Blackrose on 03/06/2016 - 23:57

      4K upscaling in the AVR is not really important imo, any 4K TV you buy will have 4K upscaling built in

    • sane on 04/06/2016 - 18:17

      Not bought from the german site, but all the amazon sites are fairly similar.

      VAT gets removed when you go to buy and put in an address outside the EU.

      4K upscaling will get done by any 4K TV, so no real point to it. Rather it's more point to it having full HDMI 2 and HDCP 2.2 so commercial 4K signals will get passed properly.

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