Best advice for buying a new home theater receiver?

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Buying Guide: How to Shop an A/V Receiver


We'd like to say that we've created a definitive guide on receiver buying. Of course, every person's needs are unique. What we have tried to create is a general guide on how to whittle down your choices. Once they are down to a reasonable level, choosing between the available options will be as much an emotional decision as it is a rational one. Our hope is that, in the end, you purchase a receiver with all the features you need without paying for features you don't. Read on to find out how to get all the receiver you need without paying for features you may never use.

How to Shop AV Receivers

 

[herbu]

Would be hard to choose just 1 of the attributes in the poll.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would buy the AVR that has the features I want - Audyssey XT32 Dynamic EQ & dual Sub EQ.

I don't drink coffee so that feature isn't as important.

Washing the dishes --- now that I would take.

 

[JohnnieB]

DAC. My system doubles as my 2ch. system. Sound quality above all else. That being said.
I prefer a basic 5.x setup for home theatre. So I personally am not looking for more channels.
Up to date formats without paying for the newest thing that may not last. Atmos? Well, we'll see. Remember BETA?
Biggest, strongest amp section I can afford.
Ease of use. Well laid out, easy remote.
Overall look of the unit. Has to fit the décor.
Streaming is cool, but everything else, from your display to your Blu-Ray can stream these days. Sort of redundant.
Multi zone. Do you need it?
Last, but not least. Quality. It has to be trouble free, work every time, no excuses. Why should I expect less when spending hard earned money.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I would buy the AVR that has the features I want - Audyssey XT32 Dynamic EQ & dual Sub EQ.

I don't drink coffee so that feature isn't as important.

Washing the dishes --- now that I would take.

Give us your best Audyssey (XT32 Dynamic EQ & dual Sub EQ) or give us nothing at all. I agree with ADTG - auto room correction is the first feature I look-up in new avr models to see how they stack up. Pre-outs is often second.

Couldn't give a damn less about Dolby lostmos or streaming, I stream from my xbmc htpc - much richer interface and much more options anyways.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Give us your best Audyssey (XT32 Dynamic EQ & dual Sub EQ) or give us nothing at all. I agree with ADTG - auto room correction is the first feature I look-up in new avr models to see how they stack up. Pre-outs is often second.

Couldn't give a damn less about Dolby lostmos or streaming, I stream from my xbmc htpc - much richer interface and much more options anyways.

XBMC and Audyssey are my best friends.