Hi-Fi Receiver Dead - Buy New, or Soundbar?

Laustin777 on 21/05/2022 - 14:57
Last edited 21/05/2022 - 15:21 by 1 other user

I’ve got a simple budget hi-Fi setup of consisting of a Yamaha RX-V373 receiver and a JBL 5.1 speaker setup.

My receiver stopped working, and is basically dead as I can’t get sound out of the front left / right channels.

Wondering if I should try to replace the receiver, or get a 2.1 Soundbar setup?

The speakers sound good, so my preference was to replace the receiver but it’s definitely more expensive. Essentially I don’t need any other functions of the receiver, only optical audio to 5.1 and the amplifier, the speakers aren’t large. I was hoping to find a budget receiver that just had this functionality but taking a look at what’s available it seems everything is the all in one receivers with heaps of functionality I don’t need.

Any recommendations for a budget receiver that will do the trick? Or might it be better to swap to a 2.1 Soundbar then look to sell the speakers or use them somewhere else?

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  solidussnake on 21/05/2022 - 15:15

  If you can find a basic Sony 5.1 or something similar receiver for $350ish do that, I had a look at JB and HN and cheapest was $600 so would go the soundbar route unless you like dedicated rear speakers ?

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  AndyC1 on 21/05/2022 - 15:24

  +1

  Do the other speakers work? If they do then it's probably cheaper to replace the drivers than get a new receiver.

  Why do you need optical? Last time I used optical was 20 years ago and since I updated to use HDMI ARC it's gone the way of the NZ dodo bird.

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    austin777 on 21/05/2022 - 17:39

    Yep speakers work fine and sound good. I would prefer to use HDMI but there was some reason (receiver related) that it was easier for me to use optical between Tv, PS5 and reviewer.

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  sloppyjoe34 on 21/05/2022 - 15:25

  I went soundbar after my last receiver.

  Very happy. Less clutter. Great Sound.

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  AustriaBargain on 21/05/2022 - 15:28

  Two good bookshelf speakers and a sub should sound great with anything you play on it. Just don't put them on a bookshelf.

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  oscargamer on 21/05/2022 - 15:36

  +9

  If you like your current speakers, get a used receiver

  If you don't like current speakers….either complete new set up or soundbar

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  Mechz on 21/05/2022 - 16:57

  +1

  Have a look at excelhifi for refurbs or even second hand on marketplace or gumtree. Heaps of crazy people going for soundbars when their amps are still much better sounding.

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  lachhelix on 21/05/2022 - 17:01

  +1

  If you're in Vic I have an AVR you're welcome to have

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  Drakesy on 21/05/2022 - 19:10

  +3

  Second hand denom/onkyo/sony/pioneer/marantz
  Else something new with atmos
  Hifi gear will always sound better than a soundbar