Need receiver selection help

[LVSparky]

Greetings
New to the form here. Looking for some recommendations on home theater receivers. You see my system recently died and its time to upgrade.
I have a 7.1 system, was fed by a Pioneer SC-55, the UE22 error ate the receiver. I loved the sound and hated to see the receiver die. I am looking for comparable sound from a new receiver.
I look at available receivers, I see Pioneer isn't a option. I gravitate to Pioneer due to the sound they produce when driving my Mirage towers and surround system.
I haven't owned a lot of Theater receivers, here is my experience.
Owned older Pioneer 5.1 system pre-HDMI, required a upgrade. Loved the sound but needed to drive modern TV.
Upgraded to Sony STR-DA5700ES. Absolutely hated it, didn't last a year before I removed for the Pioneer SC-55. Sound was just flat... Honestly I believe its still sitting in my son-in-laws garage, the sound just wasn't what I expected.

So for the ask here, what is a good sounding quality home theater?
I am thinking maybe a Denon AVR-X400H, sad thing is I can't find where I can go listen to receivers to compare.

 

[mazersteven]

Receivers don't make sound receivers process signals receivers make Power receivers are for functionality and connectivity but receivers do not make sound if they made sound we wouldn't need speakers we would just turned the receiver on

 

[Trebdp83]

Welcome. There are many new features in AVRs over the last few years. Are you looking for more functionality? Still going to run 7.1? Any interest in height channel speakers or height virtualization features? Do you use any music streaming services?

 

[LVSparky]

Thanks for the questions.
While I am upgrading I feel important to get new AVR features. I don't mind spending around $2,400 for a receiver if I get something that lasts 5-10 years. I use multiple streaming and music services and the family often games. I have read about the PS5 and Xbox issues but we don't own one, our newest is a PS4. Doubt we would upgrade for a year but I should keep that in mind as I select a receiver.
At this time, the plan is to stay with a 7.1, I'm not in the market for new or additional speakers.


Really seems my post went off base. Reading the above response it seems a "receiver" is a "receiver", I get that, in theory yes. I get a amp is setup to amplify. Even the class of amp doesn't mater as long as its setup correctly meaning class A, AB, etc.. I just haven't experienced that and don't want to make a regrettable spend. I like Sony TVs, have 4 in the house, just haven't enjoyed their audio pieces so leaning to Denon, Marantz for receiver, I don't know much about the products besides the research I have done the last week. Maybe I should put Yamaha in the mix too, seems most of Yamaha receivers are out of stock.
I see posts about how Marantz creates a "warm" sound. Maybe they do some processing to the signal to make it sound different. Maybe this is something Pioneer did in the past, don't know. So maybe that is my bottomline question.
I see distortion ratings, and power ratings but all receiver companies seem to measure things differently.

So in the end, maybe it was user error in the past and I should just get the receiver with the best bang for the buck and trust a quality company will make a product worth owning.

 

[mazersteven]

The biggest question is what speakers do you have How are we supposed to recommend a receiver without knowing what amplification and power requirements your speakers need.

As far as that "warm" sound stuff. Receivers making sound that is all nonsense.

The biggest influence to what you hear is your speakers your room acoustics and dimensions

 

[LVSparky]

Some older Mirage Omni speakers. OMD5's for the surround. The front towers are OMD15.
The bass is different, its a Pioneer SWE-10

 

[Nick425]

Receivers don't make sound receivers process signals receivers make Power receivers are for functionality and connectivity but receivers do not make sound if they made sound we wouldn't need speakers we would just turned the receiver on

Different brands have different speaker calibrations which have been said to make a difference in sound, so couldn't the sound be different depending on which brand is bought?

If all receiver brands were set to the exact same EQ settings, they would sound identical in the same room with the same speakers?

 

[mazersteven]

Speaker Companies spend a ton of money on research and development to create their own sound signatures. Do you think they would let electronic companies alter the sound that they expect to come out of their speakers do you really think that?

Receivers and amps are designed to have low distortion and 0 noise, or as close to 0 as possible

 

[Gmoney]

Sony is closing their AVR factory

 

[Nick425]

Speaker Companies spend a ton of money on research and development to create their own sound signatures. Do you think they would let electronic companies alter the sound that they expect to come out of their speakers do you really think that?

Receivers and amps are designed to have low distortion and 0 noise, or as close to 0 as possible

No I don't necessarily think that, thats why I was asking. But you seem to be generalizing that no matter what receiver, its the same sound. Im not so hung up on brand name but different receivers in a brand name for example range won't effect sound quality at all whether its a 300 dollar receiver or 2000 dollar receiver? I realize most of this comes down to power and channels available, is that really the only difference? And a few gimmick features they throw in to justify an expensive receiver?

 

[lovinthehd]

While I think its basically a waste of time to "listen" to avrs/amps in a store, let alone at home, I'd look for an avr based on features/connectivity you're interested in at a price you like. Differences in audio performance due different dsp/room eq are possible preference differences, tho. After my Pioneer crapped out I went with an Onkyo (and it had the hdmi/network board issue from 2009-12 models that Onkyo took care of and still happily lives), after that I've used Denon as well. I'd generally stick to Denon/Marantz/Yamaha myself, the Onkyo/Pioneer situation seems a bit uncertain at this time (might take a listen to this

).

 

[mazersteven]

No I don't necessarily think that, thats why I was asking. But you seem to be generalizing that no matter what receiver, its the same sound. Im not so hung up on brand name but different receivers in a brand name for example range won't effect sound quality at all whether its a 300 dollar receiver or 2000 dollar receiver? I realize most of this comes down to power and channels available, is that really the only difference? And a few gimmick features they throw in to justify an expensive receiver?

Example:

You have these speakers

SIERRA-1 PAIR

Our World-Renowned Reference Monitor Featuring our Exclusive Low Resonance Layered Bamboo Cabinet! "Innovation, performance, intensive quality controls and environmental-friendliness all precisely balanced in a truly unique loudspeaker." Over 4 ½ years in development, the Sierra-1 is the...

www.ascendacoustics.com

I'm saying if you hooked this $399 receiver

https://www.costco.com/yamaha-tsr-700-7.1-channel-network-av-receiver.product.100686465.html

to those speakers and A/B blind test to this receiver $3999

Denon AVR-X8500H (Black)

13.2-channel home theater receiver with Wi-Fi®, Dolby Atmos®, Apple® AirPlay® 2, and HEOS

www.crutchfield.com

You wouldn't determine the difference between the two

Average room size, Normal Volumes, same Room Correction

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Example:

You have these speakers

SIERRA-1 PAIR

Our World-Renowned Reference Monitor Featuring our Exclusive Low Resonance Layered Bamboo Cabinet! "Innovation, performance, intensive quality controls and environmental-friendliness all precisely balanced in a truly unique loudspeaker." Over 4 ½ years in development, the Sierra-1 is the...

www.ascendacoustics.com

I'm saying if you hooked this $399 receiver

https://www.costco.com/yamaha-tsr-700-7.1-channel-network-av-receiver.product.100686465.html

to those speakers and A/B blind test to this receiver $3999

Denon AVR-X8500H (Black)

13.2-channel home theater receiver with Wi-Fi®, Dolby Atmos®, Apple® AirPlay® 2, and HEOS

www.crutchfield.com

You wouldn't determine the difference between the two

Average room size, Normal Volumes, same Room Correction

Right. But these two would have different RC. And therefore would sound different. In direct mode they should sound the same. But mcacc, ypao, Audyssey, and dirac all yield different results.

 

[Trebdp83]

And AccuEQ, don’t forget AccuEQ. Let’s not bury Onkyo just yet.

 

[lovinthehd]

Example:

You have these speakers

SIERRA-1 PAIR

Our World-Renowned Reference Monitor Featuring our Exclusive Low Resonance Layered Bamboo Cabinet! "Innovation, performance, intensive quality controls and environmental-friendliness all precisely balanced in a truly unique loudspeaker." Over 4 ½ years in development, the Sierra-1 is the...

www.ascendacoustics.com

I'm saying if you hooked this $399 receiver

https://www.costco.com/yamaha-tsr-700-7.1-channel-network-av-receiver.product.100686465.html

to those speakers and A/B blind test to this receiver $3999

Denon AVR-X8500H (Black)

13.2-channel home theater receiver with Wi-Fi®, Dolby Atmos®, Apple® AirPlay® 2, and HEOS

www.crutchfield.com

You wouldn't determine the difference between the two

Average room size, Normal Volumes, same Room Correction

Leave out the room correction, use as direct a mode as possible to eliminate the avr's dsp influences.

 

[lovinthehd]

And AccuEQ, don’t forget AccuEQ. Let’s not bury Onkyo just yet.

Altho Onkyo/Pioneer just may get Dirac if they continue....

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

And AccuEQ, don’t forget AccuEQ. Let’s not bury Onkyo just yet.

Well shitt tha bed.....
Yes. AccuEQ too.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Altho Onkyo/Pioneer just may get Dirac if they continue....

I think that would be excellent.

 

[Truthslayer]

No I don't necessarily think that, thats why I was asking. But you seem to be generalizing that no matter what receiver, its the same sound. Im not so hung up on brand name but different receivers in a brand name for example range won't effect sound quality at all whether its a 300 dollar receiver or 2000 dollar receiver? I realize most of this comes down to power and channels available, is that really the only difference? And a few gimmick features they throw in to justify an expensive receiver?

Here is a short video by Gene (audioholics). I wont even attempt to explain why they can sound different. I've tried in the past and usually my explanations come up short and start some combative discussions. So i now direct them to this video and let Gene explain it.

Do Expensive AV Receivers Sound Better than Cheap Ones? - YouTube

 

[mazersteven]

Listen to what he says at the 8:00 minute mark