most expensive av receiver
Denon is always a brand you should consider when looking for a new AV receiver. As for the software setup, the on-screen interface does a great job of walking you through the process of connecting speakers, adding source devices, renaming source devices, configuring your home network, and so forth, in a way thats comprehensive without being insulting. If you already own Wi-Fi speakers that use a certain platform (such as AirPlay), you may want to look for a receiver that features the same streaming technology so that all the devices work well together. This receiver is also one of the first models to support IMAX Enhanced. Even if youre an audio geek who loves playing around with microphones, audio software, EQ and the like OK, you got me, Im talking about myself here! Be aware that there is just a single 8K HDMI input. Full processing suites from Dolby and DTS can be found in AV receivers costing as little as $500. You probably noticed that all of our current picks come from Denon. With Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the channel counting gets a little more complicated. But, when they release one, you should always sit up and take notice. The popular voice-control technologies of Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri are also supported. Flat-panel TVs are too thin to house good speakers. The 3 outputs really do give you control over sending content to different zones in your home. For one thing, both models proved far too complicated to install and configure, especially compared with similar offerings from Denon. Yamaha RX-V385 - under $300. Experience the bigger, clearer picture when you upgrade your home theater setup with the STR-DH590. It . The SR range of Marantz receivers is their top-end model and the SR8015 is the flagship receiver. Read a review of the Onkyo TX-NR708 7,2 channel receiver that can pass 3D HDMI 1.4. Budget-friendly. You can also find AVRs with seven channels of amplification, microphone-based auto calibration, adjustable crossover frequencies and even HDMI switching for well under $1,000. Look for full HDMI 2.1 compatibility. It does a fantastic job of measuring your room and balancing out the frequency response, and its a great way to get an immersive surround sound experience in your room. HDR10+, HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG are present along with 4K UHD 60Hz video, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling and HDCP 2.3. Of course, if you only want to use the built-in class G channels without buying more power amplifiers then you can set up a very nice 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X system. If you want an AV receiver that works for movies and music, then an Arcam receiver should be on your radar. These receivers offer some of the best engineering, features and performance that money can buy. Then, in 2021, Denon released an updated version the AVR-X8500HA. Another new feature is the Anthem Web User Interface. Check Price. The Anthem MRX 1140 is an 11-channel unit supporting two independent subwoofers outputs. The Marantz Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Modules have been developed over many years in their hi-fi products. Just be aware that you will need an Internet connection for this to work because the measurements are sent online to the Dirac servers to make the complex calculations and number-crunching. There is plenty of power under the hood, and you will have no problems driving even the most power-hungry speakers with a rating of 140 watts per channel (8 Ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.05% THD, 2 Channels Driven). Harmony Companion Universal Remote. There are 7 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs, which should be plenty for most setups. The receiver has Bluetooth support for streaming audio, as well as a handy setup wizard that walks you through the process of setting up a complete surround-sound system. Its power is enough for both small and medium-sized rooms. The other spec to be aware of is the rated total harmonic distortion of 0.01%. This upgrade will cost between $260 and $350, depending on which version you choose. Its also an affordable choice for anyone who already has a 5.1 system in place but needs to upgrade their receiver because it doesnt support 4K, HDR, or features of the new HDMI 2.1 spec designed for modern gaming consoles. This receiver lacks Wi-Fi support and integrated music streaming options. As well as an Ethernet connection found on the older 2016 receivers, the AVR31 adds support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplay 2 and Chromecast. But for the best future-proofing, you would probably be wise to purchase the latest version although it is slightly more expensive. There isnt anything earth-shattering about the look of this receiver, so just expect a standard front panel with a primary volume control knob, a few connectors, and a small display panel. The AVR-X4800H, meanwhile, generally sells for $600 more the AVR-X3800H, but the only meaningful differences are 25 watts of extra rated power per channel (although the power supply is rated for only 50 watts of additional power overall) and an additional HDMI input. AV receivers run the price gamut from a couple hundred dollars to well into four-figure territory. But the reason this model is no longer a pick has less to do with price hikes and shelf-life concerns (though those things matter) than it does with how Yamaha handled the HDMI 2.1 issues that plagued all of the first-generation 8K-compatible receivers. But, if youve gone to the expense of buying one of these beauties, youll probably want to take advantage of this excellent technology. Other noteworthy enhancements include automatic low-latency mode (which allows devices to automatically detect and switch to the best mode for gaming), eARC (which allows for higher-quality lossless audio over the HDMI Audio Return Channel instead of only compressed formats), variable refresh rate, and quick media switching. If you watch movies alone or arent especially concerned about the listening experience of anyone else in the room, having four subs is probably overkill. Marantz AV8805. In Directional mode, each subwoofer receives low-frequency sounds from the main speaker nearest to it, along with the .1 (or LFE) channel from the surround soundtrack being decoded. One interesting feature is the addition of XLR balanced audio inputs, which allows for receiving signals from professional audio hardware or any device with XLR audio outputs. This beast weighs more than 47 lbs, so its a heavy receiver. Buying guide FAQ. Able to support a 5.1, 5.2, or 7.2 channel home theater system setup and rated at 145 watts power-per-channel, it's got plenty of options and power for most needs. Therefore, if you dont need the new features, you may get a bargain if you can find the older model in stock. Room correction helps to improve the overall sound quality by using microphones and built-in software to estimate how your room and speaker placement are distorting the sound and to attempt to compensate for those distortions. (We recommend banana plugs for ease of setup, but theyre not necessary). Our tests consistently show that, in this price range, the effectiveness of the room-correction system is the differentiating factor in sound quality between AV receivers. Therefore, if you dont need the features of HDMI 2.1, which are mainly for gamers with the latest consoles, you may want to try and purchase the older AVR30, which may be cheaper. This is especially useful as more streaming video apps and soundbars begin to offer higher-resolution audio. If your current AV receiver works with all your AV components and has all the features you desire, you dont need to upgrade, as you likely wouldnt hear improved sound quality with a newer model unless you were to upgrade to one with better room correction. The Cinema 60, for example, is comparable in many respects to the Denon AVR-X1700H on paperat least in terms of channel count, room-correction capabilities, HDMI inputs, and the likeyet it sells for the same price as the AVR-X3800H. It also offers better multiroom audio and video support than the AVR-X1700H. It has enough inputs for all of your source devicesfrom your 4K Blu-ray player to your streaming media device to your turntableand its much easier to install and operate than similarly priced competitors. With support for Yamahas MusicCast system, you can use the app to stream music wirelessly around your home and you can have MusicCast speakers in up to 9 rooms around the house. Sony STR-DH590 The best budget AV receiver Pros Affordable without giving up important features Pure Direct audio enhancement mode HDR support 4K support Cons Limited number of HDMI ports When. This receiver also has 3 helpful HDMI outputs. It also allows support for new gaming and media features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Quick Media Switching (QMS) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). Features multiple input and output ports, including RCA audio, USB, SD card, aux, and more. Which is about as many as you get on any receiver these days. Instead of reaching for one remote to turn on your TV . In this price range, you are looking at 5.1 or 5.2 ch. Correcting the imperfections in sound caused by your room is underrated by many and will allow you to get the best from your hardware. The more height speakers you add, the more convincing the effectbut that requires more amp channels, which necessitates a more expensive AV receiver. In our voice-intelligibility stress testthe Mines of Moria sequences from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on UHD Blu-raythe AVR-X3800H provided a big leap in clarity over the AVR-X1700H. 11.2-Channels for a full Dolby Atmos system, Premium 32-bit / 768 kHz DAC (AKM AK4458VN), Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and Bluetooth v4.2, A price that isnt for the feint-hearted but you have to pay for top quality, The front HDMI port has been removed from the previous model. Also, we wish Denon did a better job of alerting buyers to the fact that the Audyssey room-correction system can incorporate the optional $20 MultEQ Editor mobile app, but that if you want to use it, you need to have the app running before you begin the room-correction measurement process. The Denon AVR-X3700H has just about every feature in a receiver, including seven HDMI inputs and three outputs and a dedicated port that supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through and upscaling. Take a look at this official Denon video to get a better look at this top AV receiver: If you want a high-end Yamaha AV receiver, look no further than the RX-A8A. In my opinion, one of the best benefits of a Denon receiver is the Audyssey automatic room acoustic correction technology. The Sony STR-DH790 offers excellent value for the price. You can stream music to it wirelessly via Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2, as well as the Heos wireless streaming platform (a competitor to the Sonos platform). All network and wireless connection types you need are covered in this unit including Ethernet, wireless and Bluetooth. Much of Yamahas lineup is unchanged since our last major update to this guide, and our previous top pick, the Yamaha RX-V6A, remains current, though it sells for $200 more now than it did in 2021 (and about $150 more than the similarly equipped Denon AVR-X1700H). However, expect stocks of the AVR30 to run out as they are replaced by the AVR31, so they may be hard to find. The SR5015, SR6015, SR7015, and SR8015 receivers are all 8K-ready and will range in price from $1,100 to $3,200. Marantz SR8015 is one of the latest, most advanced, and most expensive AV receivers from Marantz. A bigger concern is that we couldnt upgrade the receivers firmware without jumping through some hoops. *At the time of publishing, the price was $599. The only reason for this update is the introduction of HDMI 2.1 ports with HDCP2.3 and support for 8K video passthrough. The general consensus is that ARC is on par with the highly respected Dirac Live system that Arcam uses (amongst others). Plus, it has an RS-232C serial port for connecting to various alternative control systems, like Crestron, AMX and Savant. In our testing, MultEQ XT32 proved to be a significant upgrade over the MultEQ XT room correction in our top pick, the AVR-X1700H, producing even more controlled bass, less seat-to-seat variation in the sound, and decidedly improved dialogue clarity. The Denon AVR-X1700H is a great all-purpose 7.1-channel receiver that includes all the latest features and some nice installation flexibility but is still priced well below $1,000. If your current AV receiver works with all your AV components and has all the features you desire, you dont need to upgrade, as you likely wouldnt hear improved sound quality with a newer model unless you were to upgrade to one with better room correction. An AV receivers specs can list various features of the HDMI 2.1 standard even if the receiver supports only one or two of them, which certainly creates confusion for shoppers. The MRX 1140 was initially released in 2020, along with the cheaper 740 and 540 models, and didnt support HDMI 2.1 and 8K video passthrough. If you want 8k support and find an older AVR-X8500H, you can buy an upgrade from Denon that will swap one of the original HDMI ports and allow support for 8K/60p and 4K/120p. So, what are the main features of the AVR-X8500HA? We independently review everything we recommend. Many current AV receivers and TVs support eARC, most support automatic low-latency mode, and even at the $600 level many models support variable refresh rate. Best High-End AV Receiver with Pre-Outs - Marantz SR8015. You can connect the extra amplifier via the pre-out connections on the back. And the new MRX 1140 also adds DTS:X Pro support, allowing upmixing for speaker layouts over 11.2 channels. Check Price. No need to buy a separate wireless multi-room system. Make sure to read the fine print to pick a receiver that supports the HDMI 2.1 features you need. No matter what kind of turntable and audio gear you have, it is possible to get them working together. However, I assume you are here to understand more about your options at this high-end level, so lets compare the receivers here in a little more detail and give you an idea of their strengths and weaknesses. Room-correction systems make the biggest impact on how a receiver sounds to most listeners. Good budget AV receivers can start at $250 if you catch sales but usually sit at $280-$300. You will also need to download the Dirac Live software and install it on your laptop or PC. Here are a few examples of AV receivers in the entry-level category: Onkyo TX-SR333 ($299), Denon AVR-S500BT ($249), Yamaha RX-V377 ($299.95), Pioneer VSX-524-K ($249.99), and Sony STR-DH550 ($279 . Therefore, eARC will allow you to pass Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio streams from your TV and back into the receiver. The good news is that this is up there with the best room correction software. Therefore, here are some more considerations that might be more important to you. For most people, the Denon AVR-X1700H offers everything necessarynow and for the foreseeable futureto enjoy a premium movie, video game, TV, or music experience. However, not many receivers match this beast when it comes to their flagship offering.