Another avr thread. Rz50 or anthem mrx740 (4k), 3800

[kalkent]

I have just sold my rz50 as I had a good deal on an anthem lined up, but bad timing, it fell through after I sold my rz50.

So now I'm looking for a new avr.

I really liked the sound of my rz50, it was a big improvement over my yamaha, I think mainly due to DIRAC.

I'm considering

Getting another rz50
Or integra drx 5.4 $2795 (essentially the same I guess)
Considering the denon 3800 $2100 (4 independent sub outs) and upgrading to Dirac + $550
Or I can get a 4k model anthem mrx740 for $3500

I'm leaning towards the anthem but I'm definitely stuck on justifying the almost double the price of some of the others.

Are the anthems really that much better?

Considering I thought the sound of the rz50 was great, is it crazy to spend that much on an anthem?

Thanks

 

[isolar8001]

Considering I thought the sound of the rz50 was great, is it crazy to spend that much on an anthem?

Thanks

Maybe not crazy, but don't expect a night and day improvement.

Dirac should be called out for the ridiculous pricing of their software.
I've never even ran Dirac on my Pioneer, and don't feel like I'm missing anything.

 

[kalkent]

Maybe not crazy, but don't expect a night and day improvement.

Dirac should be called out for the ridiculous pricing of their software.
I've never even ran Dirac on my Pioneer, and don't feel like I'm missing anything.

Thanks

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd simply choose on the desired feature set/amp section. I don't think Anthem has any particular advantage myself, especially due higher cost compared to similar feature set from the major brands.

 

[kalkent]

I'd simply choose on the desired feature set/amp section. I don't think Anthem has any particular advantage myself, especially due higher cost compared to similar feature set from the major brands.

I dont game or have any very specific requirements

I want Dirac or Arc.

9.2ch at a minimum

Bluetooth

Atmos and DIRAC

I can't think if anything else I specifically want.

I like the idea of a THX certified receiver. I dont know why I prefer that, I don't really have a reason for it. It probably means nothing these days.

 

[lovinthehd]

I dont game or have any very specific requirements

I want Dirac or Arc.

9.2ch at a minimum

Bluetooth

Atmos and DIRAC

I can't think if anything else I specifically want.

I like the idea of a THX certified receiver. I dont know why I prefer that, I don't really have a reason for it. It probably means nothing these days.

Curious, why is bluetooth an issue/need? Never use it myself except maybe in the car....

 

[kalkent]

Curious, why is bluetooth an issue/need? Never use it myself except maybe in the car....

I like to connect my phone via Bluetooth and stream music and have the projector off.

 

[lovinthehd]

I like to connect my phone via Bluetooth and stream music and have the projector off.

I find it easier to stream via my wifi network rather than bt, plus wifi is basically better quality and range (altho bt has improved over the years in these regards). Some of the streaming services will help out with this, such as Spotify Connect (where bt isn't used).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I like to connect my phone via Bluetooth and stream music and have the projector off.

I stream music from my home network or Phone everyday using WiFi. One of the salient features to me.

 

[kalkent]

I find it easier to stream via my wifi network rather than bt, plus wifi is basically better quality and range (altho bt has improved over the years in these regards). Some of the streaming services will help out with this, such as Spotify Connect (where bt isn't used).

Seems like I need to learn a little more about how to do that..

 

[lovinthehd]

Seems like I need to learn a little more about how to do that..

What type of streaming do you do other than from your phone? When using your phone do you use a service like Spotify or just content in your phone's memory, what OS does your phone use?

 

[kalkent]

What type of streaming do you do other than from your phone? When using your phone do you use a service like Spotify or just content in your phone's memory, what OS does your phone use?

I use my shield to stream. I don't use Spotify or anything like that, I do use YouTube music and content on my phones memory. It's an Android phone.

 

[lovinthehd]

I use my shield to stream. I don't use Spotify or anything like that, I do use YouTube music and content on my phones memory. It's an Android phone.

So the shield is already using the wifi? I've used bubbleupnp and foobar2000 apps on my android devices and computer as well for my own content streamed from my phone/tablet/computer.

Haven't tried streaming youtube, so just used my YT Music app for the first time, and it has the cast feature right at the top of the screen (the rectangle with the three radiating curved lines in the lower left corner), which brings up available destinations in my local network...altho it isn't getting all of my devices (its skipping my Denon avr, altho the similar feature on my Spotify app finds the avr no problem). Wonder why that is...

 

[little wing]

I have a Yamaha AVR as well. And I use an Android device. The AVR is hard wired to the router and the phone is of course on the same network. Yamaha has a nice controller app called MusicCast.

Your phone is basically the controller. The music on the apps comes from the internet and the Music from the server are files stored on my PC. No Bluetooth involved at all.