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This seven-channel receiver offers 80 watts per channel into 8 ohms at 0.08% THD with two channels driven. Connections include four HDMI 2.1 ports in and two out (with HDCP 2.3 support), optical, coaxial, stereo RCA ports, USB ports, and dual subwoofer RCA ports, plus a headphone jack when gaming sessions need to stay quiet. HDMI 2.1 is also supported if you like to stay on the cutting edge of AV support for your entertainment system, and future updates will add support for things like 8K and the latest formats. Inside, you'll find features like a high slew rate amplifier for more accurate audio response and low distortion, as well as advanced modes for movie optimization. Outside, the design includes an A.R.T. (Anti-Resonance Technology) wedge to help dampen nearby vibration and improve audio quality further. MusicCast features wireless 5.1 surround sound support also help if you like to play music on the system as well.
You shouldn't put too much work into comparing audio quality for receivers. Most of them have amplifier power outputs around 100 watts, and there isn't a huge difference in sound quality. For example, models with built-in CD players and changers are useful for listening to CDs on home theater systems. If you have a multi-room speaker setup, consider a device with a zone function.
Gear to Get Better Sound From Your TV
It brings in 8K video at 60Hz to go with 4K/120Hz, HDR (HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dynamic HDR, Dolby Vision), and HDMI-eARC that lets you pass full resolution surround sound from your TV through to the receiver. There are 8 HDMI inputs, plus 3 outputs, including useful add-ons like a Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode to accommodate gamers who need them. It also features eight HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs, all enabled with HDCP 2.2 specifications, and the receiver is prepped to support 4K ultra HD sound, HDR Dolby Vision and even eARC audio. In short, the Denon X8500H model offers just about everything except for 8K support. However, Denon will be allowing customers to purchase an HDMI 8K upgrade for their X8500H receivers. For those receivers, a basic video processing feature available is the ability of many receivers to convert Composite video inputs to Component video outputs or composite or component video connections to HDMI outputs.
After we ran the room correction, the RX-V6A’s sound was more open, more detailed, and more dynamic than that of anything else under $1,000, which really makes a difference when you’re listening to music. In the price ranges we tested, we were unable to tell most receivers apart in blind testing when their room correction was not enabled. We found that the type of room correction in use had the biggest impact on sound quality, providing big benefits for some receivers and only smaller improvements for others. The first thing that you need to look for is the best receiver for your needs.
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A8A 11.2-Channel MusicCast A/V Receiver
If you are not going all the way to 9.1.6, you can assign up to four individual subwoofer outputs and each can be calibrated independently. Most receivers do very well for movies as well as music, with performance scaling up in tandem as you move into premium models. However, music can be more revealing of sound quality and character than movie soundtracks, and those who value music listening may find one brand more sonically satisfying than another.
For those who want to get closest to the movie-theater experience at home, who have multiple sources to connect, and who want more flexibility in speaker selection and setup, an AV receiver is the way to go. At CNET I test audio equipment from compact soundbars though to surround sound systems, but regardless of the device my methodology is largely the same. I always compare products against one or more reference devices which offer the best performance at a similar price. The TX-NR6100 is the follow-up to my favorite receiver of the past few years, the Onkyo TX-NR696. Like its predecessor, the NR6100 offers great sound and a wealth of connectivity, which now includes support for 4K/120Hz from gaming consoles.
Powered Channels
Onkyo RZ50 is by far one of the best values in the home theater receivers category. It has 9 powered channels included with preamp outputs for 11 plus 2 subs allowing you to add a power amp later to go with a full-blown 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos speaker configuration. Connected speakers include a rotating cast of speakers, including many Dolby Atmos-enabled models. You can connect consoles, Blu-ray players, laptops or PCs, set-top boxes, and a variety of other devices to a receiver. You will want to pay close attention to the ports on your devices and make sure your receiver supports the most effective way to receive AV data, such as eARC.
Marantz Cinema 50 with its great amplifier section and pretty serious weight of almost 30 pounds. 3D home theater design tool will be something you will want to test out! We hope you enjoy going through these Home Theater receiver top picks. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.
Best high-end AV receiver
It has five HDMI inputs, more than other receivers in its price category, but it can stream music only over Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi platforms like AirPlay 2 and Heos. A stereo receiver is an audio-only, two-channel amplifier that includes source switching and an AM/FM tuner -- if it lacks a tuner it's called an integrated amp. An AV receiver is typically a surround sound amplifier that enables HDMI switching and playback of audio and video.
Airplay2 and Google Chromecast are also present, and the Arcams are the only ones on this list with the better version of aptXHD Bluetooth. There is a MusicLife app that lets you stream most of the popular services, and it is set up for Roon too. When you want great sound and only need 7 channels for now, but with room to grow, the Anthem MRX 740 is the best choice. Hi-Res Audio lovers are covered with its very good 192K/24 bit built-in DAC’s that can support most formats, including WAV lossless and DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz tracks. With its ability to deliver 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos and all of its great audio features, the Pioneer VSX-935 is our top choice under $750. For example, Denon recommends that you give its receivers at least five inches of space on the top and two inches on the sides.
You can also reserve two of those channels for a separate stereo zone in another room. If you’re willing to add an outboard stereo amp, the AVR-X3700H has preamp outputs that allow you to expand the total speaker count to 11. It combines source switching, audio processing, speaker amplification, and volume control in one box. Anthem MRX 1140 is basically an MRX 740 with 4 additional amp channels, an upgraded toroidal power supply for improved performance, and a few more goodies.
It's a great feature for listening to music through analog sources, but if you're a fan of big cinema sound, it's probably something we'd leave alone when watching a movie. As our handy guide explains, you can connect a subwoofer to your receiver by way of RCA or LFE cables, or using other connectivity options depending on your woofer. Your receiver will often label where to connect your subwoofer, though. It can handle audio playback in a variety of lossless formats, including 192kHz FLAC files.
Through the free Heos app for iOS and Android, you can launch streaming services to play directly through the receiver, so you don’t need to keep your phone in range of Bluetooth or on Wi-Fi for AirPlay. When testing each receiver, we considered its sonic performance and its ease of setup and everyday use. Dennis Burger has been reviewing AV equipment for going on two decades now for publications ranging from Robb Report Home Entertainment to Home Theater magazine and HomeTheaterReview.com. With better room correction, more amplified channels, and a host of advanced features, the Denon AVR-X3700H is a great pick for the home cinema enthusiast who wants a step-up option. The Yamaha's sound quality tended toward the cinematic rather than the musical and offered a big, roomy sound perfect for blockbusters or moody conspiracy thrillers. What was surprising is that the onboard phono preamp was even better than the one on the rival Onkyo RZ50, so I can recommend it for people who don't want a separate preamp for their turntable.
Many current AV receivers and TVs support eARC, some support automatic low-latency mode, and some support variable refresh rate. But only a few of the newest receivers support the higher bandwidth necessary for 4K 120 Hz gaming and 8K video. Make sure to read the fine print to pick a receiver that supports the HDMI 2.1 features you need. A lot of people are buying AV receivers that are outdated like the Philips Avent SCR566 or Sony STRDH50.
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