Should I replace my 15 year old AV receiver?

[5arnolds]

I've had a Denon AVR-1801 receiver for the past 15 years, which supports my 5.1 system. I use this for movies 99% of the time and music the other 1%. My 5.1 system speakers are...

- Polk Audio TSi 10 (Center)
- Polk Audio RC 85i (Front L & R in-wall mount)
- SVS PB2000 (Sub)
- Definitive Technology Pro Monitor 800 (Rear L & R)
- Denon AVR-1801 Receiver
· 24 bit DSP processor
· 5 equal power amplifier channels
· 70 watts per channel into 8 ohms, <.08%THD, 20Hz - 20 kHz
· Discrete power amplifier stage
· 24 bit, 96 kHz DACs
· 24 bit, 96 kHz digital interface receiver
· 24 bit, 96 kHz stereo PCM digital playback

Although I am not an audiophile, I think what I put together sounds really good. Given the layout of my basement, where this system is, I feel pretty confident that 5.1 will always be enough for me.

The question I have is, with my current AV receiver being 15 years old, has technology advanced with AV receivers enough that I could be missing a more improved surround sound experience if I keep my current AV receiver? I don't care about having things like Bluetooth that most receivers come with these days. I just want a good sounding 5.1 surround sound system for movies. I also wouldn't mind having HDMI connections, which the 1801 doesn't have.

I am willing to look into replacing my 1801 with a new / newer model if I knew it would improve the sound. I'm interested in getting others' opinions on this, and some possible models that I should consider. I realize that 5.1 receivers are limited, so I'd consider a 7.1 if there was something it offered that would benefit me enough to justify it.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The main things you would get with an upgrade are the features like HDMI.

For sound quality, I personally think you could improve with the newer Audyssey XT Dynamic EQ, unless your 15 YO Denon already has that feature.

These days you can get a brand new Denon on sale for 40-50% off MSRP, like the $800 Denon X2300 for $450, the $1,000 Denon X3300 for $599, or the $1,500 Denon X4300 for $799.

Depending on the capability of your surround speakers, 7.1 isn't necessarily any better than 5.1 (quality over quantity).

 

[5arnolds]

For sound quality, I personally think you could improve with the newer Audyssey XT Dynamic EQ, unless your 15 YO Denon already has that feature.

It really has no features beyond individually increasing/decreasing channel volumes with a knob.

 

[lovinthehd]

I have a very basic 5.1 avr without any room correction or hdmi (along with three others that have 7.1 to 11.1 processing and the more modern hdmi/Audyssey features) and it still works just fine. Sound quality from lossless codecs is not a huge difference IMO (and hdmi implementation has has its issues in avrs); room correction/eq may or may not be perceived as a sound quality improvement (some that have such feature don't even use it). Those would be pretty much the only sound quality differences you're missing IMO and can easily be ignored if you're happy with the sound now. If you really want sound quality improvements I'd spend on speakers first.

Audiophile is merely one seeking hi-fidelity home audio reproduction, it isn't a skill; you already are an audiophile (sorry ).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

It really has no features beyond individually increasing/decreasing channel volumes with a knob.

In that case, I think it may be worth trying out a new Denon X2300 for $450, if that is your price range.

If your budget is $150 higher, then get the X3300 for $599 for the best Audyssey XT32 + Dynamic EQ.

The X3300 also has 7.1 preamp outputs just in case you fancy using external amps in the future.

And you can keep your old Denon in the closet as a backup plan. I like to have a spare Denon for backup.

 

[5arnolds]

I did some more research on receivers and came across an anthem MRX 520. Extremely simple with practically no bells and whistles but has amazing reviews where individuals who have purchased it say it is blowing anything else away they’ve had. It is a $1300 receiver. Given my goal is to get something extremely simple and somewhat top notch, this is in the running despite the cost. Does anyone have experience with anthem and is it worth the premium?

 

[everettT]

I did some more research on receivers and came across an anthem MRX 520. Extremely simple with practically no bells and whistles but has amazing reviews where individuals who have purchased it say it is blowing anything else away they’ve had. It is a $1300 receiver. Given my goal is to get something extremely simple and somewhat top notch, this is in the running despite the cost. Does anyone have experience with anthem and is it worth the premium?

Extremely simple and modern AVRs dosent go together. Compared to the denon x3300 or x4300 it's over priced. It's not a bad AVR at all, but features and performance vs the x4300, it's a no brainer to go with the denon.

 

[everettT]

I did some more research on receivers and came across an anthem MRX 520. Extremely simple with practically no bells and whistles but has amazing reviews where individuals who have purchased it say it is blowing anything else away they’ve had. It is a $1300 receiver. Given my goal is to get something extremely simple and somewhat top notch, this is in the running despite the cost. Does anyone have experience with anthem and is it worth the premium?

Extremely simple and modern AVRs dosent go together. Compared to the denon x3300 or x4300 it's over priced. It's not a bad AVR at all, but features and performance vs the x4300, it's a no brainer to go with the denon.

 

[5arnolds]

When comparing the Anthem to those Denons, am I gaining better quality electronics in the Anthem by sacrificing all of the features that Denon has, which I don’t want anyway? If getting the anthem is giving me better guts than the Denon, for better quality sound, I am all for giving up all of the extra features that I don’t want anyway.

 

[everettT]

When comparing the Anthem to those Denons, am I gaining better quality electronics in the Anthem by sacrificing all of the features that Denon has, which I don’t want anyway? If getting the anthem is giving me better guts than the Denon, for better quality sound, I am all for giving up all of the extra features that I don’t want anyway.

I stand by my previous post

 

[lovinthehd]

When comparing the Anthem to those Denons, am I gaining better quality electronics in the Anthem by sacrificing all of the features that Denon has, which I don’t want anyway? If getting the anthem is giving me better guts than the Denon, for better quality sound, I am all for giving up all of the extra features that I don’t want anyway.

If the guts are of higher quality/better construction, such may translate to better longevity or reliability, but not likely any sound quality advantage; I've not seen anything that leads me to believe Anthem has particularly licked reliability/longevity problems or has significantly better components. They are smaller and don't enjoy the economies of scale in distribution someone like Denon/Marantz does either. They contract out manufacturing like most others, the origin of the 520 is Vietnam like most of the Denons are (could be same contractor, who knows). OTOH Anthem does get generally good remarks even for their bells and whistles, you just pay more for it IMO.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

When comparing the Anthem to those Denons, am I gaining better quality electronics in the Anthem by sacrificing all of the features that Denon has, which I don’t want anyway?

The answer is no.

All those features take nothing away from the sound quality of the Denon.

Sometimes less features just means less.

Before you buy anything, do yourself a favor and read some of the Archives of The Audio Critic online.

 

[M Code]

Denon sells 8X the AVRs of Anthem..
Makes a big difference in FOBs and bill of materials..

Just my $0.02...

 

[rnatalli]

My Anthem MRX310 never had any issues and its sound quality is excellent. However, I recently swapped it out for a Sony 1080 as it did have advantages in SQ over the Anthem believe it or not. It currently sells for $400 and I would give it serious consideration. I prefer it over every other brand at this price point; something I never thought I would say about a Sony. Here's my full review:

https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/sony-str-dn1080-review.109283/

 

[shadyJ]

One thing you might think about doing is getting a newer AVR that has pre-outs, and use your existing AVR for its amplifier. By offloading the amp duties on your newer AVR, you will make it last longer. Heat is the enemy of electronics, and the amp section is the part of AVRs that generate a lot of heat.