I think my pioneer vsx-819h receiver is dying

[DJ in TX]

Ok, so let’s say I find a Sony, pioneer, Denon, and Yamaha receiver, all have very similar features/specs, and all are within $20 of each other. Would there be any benefits to one of those over the other? Sound quality? build quality? Or not really?

Also, as for watts per channel, I realize you can’t trust marketing speak from the companies as they fudge the truth. Example, my pioneer data sheet claims 110 watts per channel. Maybe this is true and maybe not. If another receiver, say a Denon, says 75 watts per channel or 90 watts per channel. Is this going to be very noticeably different and under powered compared to my pioneer? Is it smart to aim for a similar watt rating or does it matter?

One additional question, I have only owned pioneer. The on screen setup process isn’t difficult but also not very user friendly. Are any of the other brands listed better in this regard or are they all pretty much on par?

 

[lovinthehd]

Ok, so let’s say I find a Sony, pioneer, Denon, and Yamaha receiver, all have very similar features/specs, and all are within $20 of each other. Would there be any benefits to one of those over the other? Sound quality? build quality? Or not really?

Also, as for watts per channel, I realize you can’t trust marketing speak from the companies as they fudge the truth. Example, my pioneer data sheet claims 110 watts per channel. Maybe this is true and maybe not. If another receiver, say a Denon, says 75 watts per channel or 90 watts per channel. Is this going to be very noticeably different and under powered compared to my pioneer? Is it smart to aim for a similar watt rating or does it matter?

One additional question, I have only owned pioneer. The on screen setup process isn’t difficult but also not very user friendly. Are any of the other brands listed better in this regard or are they all pretty much on par?

Nope, pretty much just the flavor of setup/dsp if that matters to you. I personally like to have Audyssey XT32 and the editor app.....

Differences in the power you're citing aren't significant (takes a doubling of power to get 3dB more spl). If you need more power get an avr with a full set of pre-outs and get a significant power amp (at least 200wpc at 8 ohm IMO, preferably more).

 

[TLS Guy]

So we rented the new Godzilla x Kong new empire movie tonight and my kids were watching at a higher volume than we might watch other shows, and it happened three times within a 20 minute period. Seems like it might be more of an issue at higher volumes if that is possible? I just turned off the subwoofer and we will finish the movie and see if it happens again with the sub off. Will let you know. Not sure if it even really matters but I guess I just want to know if this will just get progressively worse, but also I would hate to shell out $300 for a new receiver to only still have this issue somehow. I hate being forced to spend money on something that doesn’t really give me any new functionality but rather just replaces the same functionality that prior to a couple of weeks ago worked fine. So frustrating.

There is no possible way that an active sub connected to an AVR is causing it to shut down. That is totally impossible.

 

[TLS Guy]

Nope, pretty much just the flavor of setup/dsp if that matters to you. I personally like to have Audyssey XT32 and the editor app.....

Differences in the power you're citing aren't significant (takes a doubling of power to get 3dB more spl). If you need more power get an avr with a full set of pre-outs and get a significant power amp (at least 200wpc at 8 ohm IMO, preferably more).

I think in your case, build and quality are the most important consideration for you. After recent turmoil at Onkyo Integra I would definitely stay away from that. At the lower end of the market, Yamaha might be problematic also.

I think it comes down to Denon/Marantz or Sony pretty much. Likely in your price range Denon would likely be your safest bet.

Receivers are now very complicated and tend to be the most trouble prone parts of the system.

You can only cut corners so far, without risking reliability problems.

In your situation longevity of the unit is a major issue. Unfortunately this is the hardest aspect to assess.

 

[DJ in TX]

There is no possible way that an active sub connected to an AVR is causing it to shut down. That is totally impossible.

This is good to hear, thanks

 

[DJ in TX]

I think in your case, build and quality are the most important consideration for you. After recent turmoil at Onkyo Integra I would definitely stay away from that. At the lower end of the market, Yamaha might be problematic also.

I think it comes down to Denon/Marantz or Sony pretty much. Likely in your price range Denon would likely be your safest bet.

Receivers are now very complicated and tend to be the most trouble prone parts of the system.

You can only cut corners so far, without risking reliability problems.

In your situation longevity of the unit is a major issue. Unfortunately this is the hardest aspect to assess.

I appreciate this as well. I’ve been reading and watching reviews and I’m leaning toward DENON and specifically the AVR-S760H. A4L has it for $299

 

[TLS Guy]

I appreciate this as well. I’ve been reading and watching reviews and I’m leaning toward DENON and specifically the AVR-S760H. A4L has it for $299

A4L are a refurb outfit. So that is a risky buy, especially for you. If you are lucky it is an open box, if not you are buying a unit with an intermittent fault like yours has.

So you have to be prepared to lose your investment if you purchase from them.

In your situation you need to buy a new unit from a reliable seller, with full warranty.

 

[DJ in TX]

A4L are a refurb outfit. So that is a risky buy, especially for you. If you are lucky it is an open box, if not you are buying a unit with an intermittent fault like yours has.

So you have to be prepared to lose your investment if you purchase from them.

In your situation you need to buy a new unit from a reliable seller, with full warranty.

Ohh ok thanks for that. I didn’t see a notation about it being a refurb. Yes I don’t want that.

Ok will see what kind of new receiver deals I can find. Maybe the avr-s670h will go on sale soon. I saw a good price on it the other day, I think it was new and not refurb. On this note, does it do me any good spending a bit more on the s670h over say the s570bt ($229 on Amazon)? Or what about the s660h? Amazon has it for $299. Is there much difference in these three units? Which one is best bang for the buck?

 

[Eppie]

Ohh ok thanks for that. I didn’t see a notation about it being a refurb. Yes I don’t want that.

Ok will see what kind of new receiver deals I can find. Maybe the avr-s670h will go on sale soon. I saw a good price on it the other day, I think it was new and not refurb. On this note, does it do me any good spending a bit more on the s670h over say the s570bt ($229 on Amazon)? Or what about the s660h? Amazon has it for $299. Is there much difference in these three units? Which one is best bang for the buck?

Can't remember if it's been mentioned here but zkelectronics has a good web site for making direct comparisons between different brands and models.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Ok, so let’s say I find a Sony, pioneer, Denon, and Yamaha receiver, all have very similar features/specs, and all are within $20 of each other. Would there be any benefits to one of those over the other? Sound quality? build quality? Or not really?

A lot of people ask the same question.

Denon/Marantz vs Yamaha vs Anthem Thread

It seems DM, Yamaha, and Anthem are the 3 big AVR heavyweights these days. I think a lot of newbies would love to get some perspective on these three brands. What are their pros and cons? If you have owned all three brands of AVR, your opinions would be greatly appreciated. If you have at...

forums.audioholics.com

 

[DJ in TX]

Can't remember if it's been mentioned here but zkelectronics has a good web site for making direct comparisons between different brands and models.

I don’t remember seeing this link but thank you, it is super helpful! Definitely easier to compare now! I’m thinking for me the DENON s670h is the right fit. I only have 2 bookshelves and a sub so no need for the Dolby atmos, unless I just find a crazy good deal.

 

[lovinthehd]

As to A4L having new vs factory refurbs, it's noted in red just underneath the add to cart box in red lettering "Item Condition - Denon Factory Refurbished". Mostly they have refurbished units vs new, but at times they have sold new too (I bought one after a couple of refurbs failed in the return period).

 

[DJ in TX]

Ok my brilliant new friends, check out this new wrinkle…

So my wife and I went to a friends getogerher a bit ago and her sister(an adult) was at our house trying to watch Bridgerton on Netflix (on my Apple TV). She called me saying she could hear the musical score from the episode but no voices. I thought maybe she accidentally changed a setting in the Netflix app but she says she didn’t. Anyway I got home and I checked all settings, found no issue there but still no dialogue only music. I restarted Apple TV with no change. I did a factory reset of the receiver but no change. I checked other apps and similar lack of audio across the board. So I took the Apple TV and connected it directly to my bedroom tv (no receiver) and it was all fine there. I could hear the dialogue and other audio detail. So I brought it back to the living room and reconnected to receiver, rebooted it one more time checked audio and suddenly getting all the audio across all apps again as expected. Am I correct that this is just more evidence of a slow death of my receiver? It’s just going to intermittently exhibit strange audio processing characteristics or just not process it at all at times? It has to be related to my aging pioneer correct?

 

[TLS Guy]

Ok my brilliant new friends, check out this new wrinkle…

So my wife and I went to a friends getogerher a bit ago and her sister(an adult) was at our house trying to watch Bridgerton on Netflix (on my Apple TV). She called me saying she could hear the musical score from the episode but no voices. I thought maybe she accidentally changed a setting in the Netflix app but she says she didn’t. Anyway I got home and I checked all settings, found no issue there but still no dialogue only music. I restarted Apple TV with no change. I did a factory reset of the receiver but no change. I checked other apps and similar lack of audio across the board. So I took the Apple TV and connected it directly to my bedroom tv (no receiver) and it was all fine there. I could hear the dialogue and other audio detail. So I brought it back to the living room and reconnected to receiver, rebooted it one more time checked audio and suddenly getting all the audio across all apps again as expected. Am I correct that this is just more evidence of a slow death of my receiver? It’s just going to intermittently exhibit strange audio processing characteristics or just not process it at all at times? It has to be related to my aging pioneer correct?

Probably. That receiver is past its useful life and needs to be replaced.

 

[lovinthehd]

Ok my brilliant new friends, check out this new wrinkle…

So my wife and I went to a friends getogerher a bit ago and her sister(an adult) was at our house trying to watch Bridgerton on Netflix (on my Apple TV). She called me saying she could hear the musical score from the episode but no voices. I thought maybe she accidentally changed a setting in the Netflix app but she says she didn’t. Anyway I got home and I checked all settings, found no issue there but still no dialogue only music. I restarted Apple TV with no change. I did a factory reset of the receiver but no change. I checked other apps and similar lack of audio across the board. So I took the Apple TV and connected it directly to my bedroom tv (no receiver) and it was all fine there. I could hear the dialogue and other audio detail. So I brought it back to the living room and reconnected to receiver, rebooted it one more time checked audio and suddenly getting all the audio across all apps again as expected. Am I correct that this is just more evidence of a slow death of my receiver? It’s just going to intermittently exhibit strange audio processing characteristics or just not process it at all at times? It has to be related to my aging pioneer correct?

Hard to know. If no dialogue perhaps the center channel was out, tho.

 

[DJ in TX]

So after discussing the offerings at accessories 4 less being mostly refurbs it totally messes up my plans. Now I’m trying to find a deal on something that is both new and not underpowered/underfeatured junk. I was set on either the s760h or s670h, but I am not finding the deals I thought I could. Someone online posted about finding the s760h at Costco as a member only deal of $250, and maybe that was true but I finally got logged into Costco and it’s $450 currently. I hate being forced to spend money and yet not getting something good. So, I found an older unit, the s660h on amazon. It doesn’t show to be a refurb, it’s at $299. I assume because it is a 2021 model? Maybe that is the best I can do?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So, I found an older unit, the s660h on amazon. It doesn’t show to be a refurb, it’s at $299. I assume because it is a 2021 model? Maybe that is the best I can do?

Personally I would NEVER buy any refurbished AVR, so I think you’re better off buying new.

 

[DJ in TX]

Personally I would NEVER buy any refurbished AVR, so I think you’re better off buying new.

The s660h on Amazon is an older year model but says it’s new. I agree I’m not getting used or refurbed now. Also new info on this, I just had my first shutdown of the receiver where the sub was not turned on. So definitely a confirmed pre-death receiver.

I’m going to pull the trigger soon, just have to figure out what I’m getting. $350 I think is my max, and I think after all my research my preferred brands are the following order.

1. Denon
2. Yamaha
3. Sony

I guess smart to get eARC if I can afford it, and hdmi 2.1. I guess 75-80 watts per channel is good, although I would feel better about 100 given the power ratings of my deceased pioneer. I’ve read some good things about the DENON s570bt, but I’m skeptical since it is bottom of the line.

Any last minute guidance? Talk some sense into me.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The s660h on Amazon is an older year model but says it’s new. I agree I’m not getting used or refurbed now. Also new info on this, I just had my first shutdown of the receiver where the sub was not turned on. So definitely a confirmed pre-death receiver.

I’m going to pull the trigger soon, just have to figure out what I’m getting. $350 I think is my max, and I think after all my research my preferred brands are the following order.

1. Denon
2. Yamaha
3. Sony

I guess smart to get eARC if I can afford it, and hdmi 2.1. I guess 75-80 watts per channel is good, although I would feel better about 100 given the power ratings of my deceased pioneer. I’ve read some good things about the DENON s570bt, but I’m skeptical since it is bottom of the line.

Any last minute guidance? Talk some sense into me.

It’s between Yamaha and Denon.

 

[DJ in TX]

It’s between Yamaha and Denon.

Yeah that is fair. I had a very dependable Sony back in college so I have a positive feeling for Sony, but that was 25 years ago. Things I have read this time around definitely seem to be unfavorable of Sony.
Overall it seems DENON is the way to go.
So… which lower end models are good? What’s the best bang for the buck? Should I consider the s570bt or no?