Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater State of AV receivers Fall 2021

Is anyone here up-to-date on which AV receivers to get right now? I'm still not ready to get mine, but my friend who's getting into home theater needs one. I'm sure a couple of you have specific models in mind to recommend. He hasn't set a budget, but since he's new to all of this, I don't want him to go crazy. Under $1000 would be a safe bet, and it's not like he actually needs the newest models. He doesn't have a 4K TV, and he doesn't seem to be in a rush to get one, so the focus would be on the audio section. I'm still leery of Onkyo after the multiple instances of HDMI board failure. Can anyone comment on whether they've addressed that issue? My refurbished Marantz has been treating me well for the most part. Thanks for any suggestions you can give.

Im setting up a sony str709 this weekend. Will report.

Denon x2700H usually a sure bet.

Heck no, haven't researched in years.

Many years ago (15-20?) I ordered and returned a low-end Sony. I Remember having a poor impression ... just don't remember why. I ended up with a similarly priced Denon which served us well during our audio poor kid raising years.

I bought a refurb Marantz SR5014 for just under $700 USD (about a year ago from Accessories4less). It's a 7.2 surround, 100W @ 8 ohms, 2ch driven, .08%THD. (yes I had to look it up )

It drives the family room setup (M2 fronts, VP150, QS10 rears). No complaints.. The reason I bought that particular model was that it was the least expensive receiver I could find with pre-outs. I was looking for at least the front 3 but it has all 7 + 2 subs.

I recently bought a used Denon x4400H for about $1000 Cdn (under $800 USD) circa 2018.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-bP8ihQNqkWR/p_033AVX4400/Denon-AVR-X4400H-IN-Command.html

Looking at the used market is a good place to find bargains.
https://www.usaudiomart.com/ or in my case Canuck Audio Mart.
Audiogon is another spot to look but they tend to have more expensive and boutique items, not as much AVR type equip. IMO.

I keep watching the Audioscience Review site because some models/years have design changes that either improve or worsen various electronic functions. I've tried to target AVR that at least measure well across the board.
Here is a measurement review of a recent Marantz:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...rantz-av8805a-review-av-processor.25971/

Thanks, guys. I'm currently using a Marantz SR5010, also purchased from Accessories4Less, so I was already thinking of suggesting a newer model to him. Too bad they don't measure so well. Pre-outs would be a must. Denon may be the way to go. My general impression over the years is that there was a decline in quality with no discernible improvement in usability, but this was based on just random things I read, not from any real research. Denon's website shows the X2700H as having a 0.2 multichannel preout, so does that mean just two subwoofer outputs? I'd have to jump up to the X3700H?

Features have been added over time including a lot of network connectivity (AirPlay, Spotify, HEOS and all that). I have found weight has declined over time (not going to get into that discussion here). I really don't use any of these except to connect to the Denon to use Audyssey app. If people like streaming direct through the receiver without a secondary system (like BluOS or Sonos), then these are great features.

Newer is not hugely better unless you are looking for some cutting edge feature. Massive leaps in tech have slowed IMO though since 10+ years ago the room correction software has greatly improved. My Denon (new in 2018) does not have the latest HDMI spec but the features it provides are irrelevant to me. My HDMI carries 4k and that was my more main concern (i'm not sure i care much about 8k and by the time it becomes mainstream for tv content i'll likely be up for buying new gear again, or i'll be too old and really won't care anymore). Buying it used saved me over $800 and at the time, the 'new' Denons were out of stock everywhere anyway.

You are correct in that the 2700H does not have any pre-outs except for 2 sub outputs. The 3700H is the minimum in this lineup to get full pre-outs (front, centre, surr -r, surr-side and heights 1 and 2).

Audio Science Review weights SINAD heavily and most AVRs come out looking poor (especially if measured after the amp). I would not rule out stuff dissed by ASR ... especially AVRs. I would however buy stuff if it's recommended by ASR.


The AV8805 is a pre-pro and should have better specs for the price but considering how jam packed it is with features (read that as noisy circuits) the SINAD is not overly surprising. In any case most of what Amir is complaining about is not audible. I own one and it's not bad.

If I listen carefully, two feet from an active LFR you'll hear the hiss (after the DSP & 29db gain from the amp) but you probably won't hear it at MLP (at least I don't although that may not be saying much). In my case the 8805 was chosen for the features and because all the 16 channel pre-pros at the time were vapor or units which were not quite ready for prime time.

Yes ... only subs ...
Marketing figured out quite a few years ago that people who cared about pre-outs were willing to pay for it. So it's only offered on the higher end models. I could not find a 5.1 with pre-outs and had to go into the higher-mid tier of Marantz to get it. Think new it was suppose to be a $1000 USD. In the Denon line up, I believe, you have to get into even higher tiers than Marantz for pre-outs.

The 3700 has the ability to do 7.2.4 with preouts and extra amps.

Same money gets you a NAD T758v3i with Dirac. Need to own extra amps already though as well.

3700 and NAD look like nice units but twice the money of the 5014 refurb (although accessories4less has upped the its price by $100 … damn chip shortage!) …

but then again if you bought the 3700 or NAD you’ll forget you spent it in no time

I think I'll go ahead and recommend the X3700H and see what he says. If he balks, I'll suggest a Marantz.

Denon's are pretty reliable. I must have half a dozen in my house....

A couple of years ago I upgraded all my displays in the house to 4K. In my great room, I still use external amps, so I wanted pre-outs, plus 4K video pass-through. Bought a Denon X3500. It's nothing spectacular but has worked without any issues to date. I suspect the 3700 is a similar, but updated version of the 3500. I'd go with that rec, if it were me....

I wouldnt recommend the Sony str-dh790. Just fine.

No on board static test tones except for a scrolling test to verify channel connections. Spring clip terminals…

Pretty bare bones. No onboard anything.

Pretty tough to set levels without a test disc.

Pretty sure they are trying to steer towards auto setup with supplied mic…..

Drove M2OWs fine in 5.2.2 setup in small den. Once set up and calibrated levels A-Ok.

Half a dozen?
Do you live in a hotel?

I want to visit this Taj Mahal some day.

3 are only dust collection devices after the 4k upgrade....... Not worth the trouble selling them. The other 3 are in use.

I'm looking at a receiver upgrade soon. I've been eyeing up the anthem mrx 740. The ARC seems intriguing to me. Anyone have experience running ARC or with anthem receivers in general? At almost $4000 CAD it's a big price to pay if they're may be better options for around the same price point or possibly cheaper. Thanks.

Yes i have one of those here now as well but i have yet to put it on Kijji to see if it will sell. Once was $1500 new, now can't get rid of for maybe $100. Still works great, stereo amp or if you rejig it right you could still do 5.1 sound via optical or digital cable.
Sadly if it doesn't sell i can try to give it away but if that doesn't work, it will become e-waste. I can't hold onto it letting it sit around.

ARC has received very high reviews all over for its effectiveness. If you search for ARC vs. Dirac you will find a lot of forum posts comparing the two.
I also considered Anthem pre-pros but not at that price. A few less costly units (NAD i believe) have some form of Dirac onboard. Trevor has mentioned a few.