Reciever selection advice

[Hokies83]

I’m looking at the RX- v685 from Yamaha coming out sometime this month and I’m wondering if there is something from the aventage line that is very comparable for me to look at?

Options / quality imputs wise.

The Aventage rx a770 is the same price.
Not sure how it matches up vs the rx-v685
I also see the aventage a1070 goes on sale for a similar price.

I’m only interested in Yamaha brand thx!

 

[snakeeyes]

I have a 681 in 1400 cu ft 3.1 and a 2060 in 2600 cu ft 5.1 (soon 5.1.4).
I don’t see much difference between the 7ch 681 and 683 and 685. If you can get a good deal on 681 or 683 you can save a ton if you don’t need an external amp.
Buying a 7 channel 1060 on sale over a 1070 would be the next step up as far as quality and value and a bit better internal power and flexibility for external amps. Don’t mess with A860 or A870...as those are not better than the V600 series... The 9ch 2060 is the next step that is even more powerful than the 1060 and does 5.1.4/7.1.2. Then the 3060 can do only 9ch internally but it can process 11ch with need of an external amp to achieve 7.1.4
Anyhow with 5.1 the 681 with the right speakers and sub in a not huge space can sound very close to the 2060 in 5.1 but if you hook up hungry speakers like most towers, the sound quality of the 681 will be bad. Since you run 7 speakers I would lean towards recommending the 1060, however i would bet the right subwoofer would make the 681 or 683 work similiar in your space... tough call... Are you ok to buy receivers every 4-5 years or every 8-10 years?

 

[Hokies83]

I have a 681 in 1400 cu ft 3.1 and a 2060 in 2600 cu ft 5.1 (soon 5.1.4).
I don’t see much difference between the 7ch 681 and 683 and 685. If you can get a good deal on 681 or 683 you can save a ton if you don’t need an external amp.
Buying a 7 channel 1060 on sale over a 1070 would be the next step up as far as quality and value and a bit better internal power and flexibility for external amps. Don’t mess with A860 or A870...as those are not better than the V600 series... The 9ch 2060 is the next step that is even more powerful than the 1060 and does 5.1.4/7.1.2. Then the 3060 can do only 9ch internally but it can process 11ch with need of an external amp to achieve 7.1.4
Anyhow with 5.1 the 681 with the right speakers and sub in a not huge space can sound very close to the 2060 in 5.1 but if you hook up hungry speakers like most towers, the sound quality of the 681 will be bad. Since you run 7 speakers I would lean towards recommending the 1060, however i would bet the right subwoofer would make the 681 or 683 work similiar in your space... tough call... Are you ok to buy receivers every 4-5 years or every 8-10 years?

I have 2 AAM L/R the ctm center and 4 bs22s and a Polk 12” sub.

I’d like to buy one that lasts awhile as I’m into 4K hdr etc

 

[snakeeyes]

The 1060 on Amazon thru IQ entertainment is $899 just be sure to pick to conceal in a 2nd box when you check out. I would say go for it if you can afford it. It’s your money not mine... LOL.

You might even qualify for a discount for opening an Amazon visa too if you don’t have one already. And points too for money back for Amazon purchases.

 

[Hokies83]

The 1060 on Amazon thru IQ entertainment is $899 just be sure to pick to conceal in a 2nd box when you check out. I would say go for it if you can afford it. It’s your money not mine... LOL.

You might even qualify for a discount for opening an Amazon visa too if you don’t have one already. And points too for money back for Amazon purchases.

I’ve see. On slickdeals the 1070 go on sale for $749

 

[snakeeyes]

So the 1070 is the 2017 version and is the first year with 64bit vs 32bit. Not sure if that is an advantage or disadvantage...., but you have likely an extra year of firmware updates in case some update for HDR10+ (The possible successor to HDR10 and competition to Dolby Vision) comes out... Good luck and don’t forget to include sales tax in your equation. Some internet sources make you pay and some don’t.

 

[Hokies83]

Ended up getting the Yamaha RX-V683BL was $345 free ship no tax.
Will replace my Yamaha rx-v481

 

[snakeeyes]

Congrats. That’s a good price

 

[Hokies83]

Congrats. That’s a good price

Has 1 less hdcp 2.2 but 481 does not support hdr10 and was told 683 does with an update.

 

[snakeeyes]

Has 1 less hdcp 2.2 but 481 does not support hdr10 and was told 683 does with an update.

Yes it will. I believe also 481 does HDR10 just not Dolby Vision like 681 and 683 etc. The 683 probably won’t need an update yet and have everything already but it’s good to do the updates as they come available.

Of course assuming your TV and UHD player are both HDR10.... For HDR10 to work from the TV thru the receiver to an HDR10 UHD player, be sure to get the latest Monoprice HDMI cables and be sure to set the Yamaha to mode 1 (default is mode 2).

Here is a link to how to do that on 481 and 681, but 683 is probably the same way.

http://faq.yamaha.com/us/en/article/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-v681_u/11033/9323

Are you also using ARC? You must enable that if you want that to work as well in the other menu. Be aware ARC is annoying with some TVs and works better with others.

Let me know if this helped or I just gave you information you already know. Good luck.

*After the receiver is working for you the sub would be the next item to look at if you want to make a dramatic improvement. The subs everyone recommends are Rythmik and HSU. Monolith is the new kid on the block and there will be a review on their subs next month on this site as well.

 

[Hokies83]

Yes it will. I believe also 481 does HDR10 just not Dolby Vision like 681 and 683 etc. The 683 probably won’t need an update yet and have everything already but it’s good to do the updates as they come available.

Of course assuming your TV and UHD player are both HDR10.... For HDR10 to work from the TV thru the receiver to an HDR10 UHD player, be sure to get the latest Monoprice HDMI cables and be sure to set the Yamaha to mode 1 (default is mode 2).

Here is a link to how to do that on 481 and 681, but 683 is probably the same way.

http://faq.yamaha.com/us/en/article/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-v681_u/11033/9323

Are you also using ARC? You must enable that if you want that to work as well in the other menu. Be aware ARC is annoying with some TVs and works better with others.

Let me know if this helped or I just gave you information you already know. Good luck.

*After the receiver is working for you the sub would be the next item to look at if you want to make a dramatic improvement. The subs everyone recommends are Rythmik and HSU. Monolith is the new kid on the block and there will be a review on their subs next month on this site as well.

On sub I’m running a Polk 505 12” my option would be to add another for $200 and have 7.2 or just do 1 of these and an amp.
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-18-ultimax-subwoofer-and-cabinet-bundle--300-7099

 

[snakeeyes]

Ya the 18 kit seems cool. Not sure how musical that would be but your theater experience is sure to be great!