Just wondering if anyone, out there, has any ideas or experience with the new software defined receivers? What do I mean by software defined receivers? Those would be microprocessor controlled receivers that could be updated by downloading new software from the internet. That way, hopefully, you can upgrade as new features come out without actually buying a new receiver.

I think that the new Denon 4000 and Marantz 8000 series receivers will have this feature. The new Denon 5000 series may alread have it. I don't know if other brands currently have it or not.

For my purposes, I would be interested in hearing about units with prices less than $4000. Of course, if you have a more expensive one, it would be good to hear about that one too.

Anyone out there have one? If so, what can you tell me about it?

The Rat.

I have not heard it, but the new top of the line Onkyo seems to be built this way, with boards just like a computer that can be changed out and updated.
Looked like quite a nice unit, but the $$$ was way over my head.
TjB

A lot of receivers and pre-pros already have this ability. I recently updated my HK630 with PLIIX and made changes to the way digital inputs operate etc via a downloaded update from HK.

Anything with a RS232 port is designed to be updated.

The Onkyo takes it one step further and is based on a card swap system for lack of a better term. A new sound format comes out, you swap the surround card with the newer one and bang, you have the newest surround mode. Great idea as long as the cost of new cards or boards is kept to a realistic level.

Well, a card swap is not as good, in my opinion, as an internet software download. Now, if some of the components must be changed, that is a different story.

But, to swap a card for a software change, I think that is a step backward. I would much prefer a software download.

Just one man's opinion.

The Rat.

Not much action on this thread!!!

I have been searching the web for some actual ratings of 5.1/ 6.1/ 7.1 receivers where they actually rank the receivers 1, 2, 3, etc. I haven't found any. There are tons of individual ranking, but none of the ratings seem to have been very critical.

I would be surprised if there aren't some rankings, but where are they?

The Rat.

Surely someone has a link or two to a rank ordering of receivers?????

What say the tribe?

The Rat.

We can't even agree among ourselves whether HK or Denon is better, why would you think there is an ordered list we trust

I think if you polled most people on the board the answer would be that within a given price range there is not a lot of real difference between the top five mfgs. Some of the units will be rated for more power than the others but when tested the power differences aren't so great.

If you wanted to replace my HK630 with a comparable Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, or NAD I wouldn't really care except I hate learning new remotes. I only left Rotel and Onkyo off the list because I have no experience with them.

Bernard, it wouldn't appear that any attempt to "rank" receivers in some order would be a realistic endeavor. Even inexpensive receivers in the $200 area provide transparent amplification within their power limits(quite high these days)which isn't audibly different from even much more expensive units. The weighting to be given to features and subjective factors such as ease of use or attractive appearance are matters probably best left to each individual to determine.

...like the number of silly DSPs

Concert Hall, Rock Concert, Fishing Shack, Walk-In Freezer, Jazz Club, Airport Washroom...

Bren R.

Some interesting comments. I'll have to think about them for a while.

Any difference in customer service, reliability, etc, among the "top" 5?

The Rat.

That I guess would depend on who the top 5 are? I have tried a lot of receivers in my day and they all have good and bad things.

If you want the best of the best, get a pre with a power amp. If you want just a box that does it all, look at the HK 630, 635 or 7300. You won't go wrong with any of them. If that doesn't float your boat, look at the Denon 3805. Great receiver but the power is a little over-rated but nice none the less. Onkyo is another one that would make my top 5 but again, it depends on what you want in the way of features etc. If money is no object, look at Rotel, Sunfire, B&K and a host of others.

I have been in the market for some new audio gear 3-4 times over the past 30 years and could never make a convincing agruement for seperates. It always seemed that they were much more expensive and then you had a nest of cables going everywhere. It also seemed to me that having all the functions integrated into one package made the most sense.

However, I'm not so sure that is the case today. It seems that the current audio equipment acts as a major switching hub for all sorts of other gear and tvs. I know that many of the video and audio inputs/ outputs and formats are in a state of flux. I strongly suspect that things may greatly change over the next 2-4 years.

So, it may make some sense to get a good, multi channel amplifier for the long term and some sort of middle of the class surround processor to compliment it. That way, if the technology/ formats change, I will just have to change part of the system rather than all of the system.

Of course, a software driven receiver may also do the same thing if the hardware had the proper compliment of input/ output jacks and connections.

Thoughts or Comments?