Need help selecting a new AVR

[moves]

I'm due to replace my Pioneer Elite AVR soon. I am looking for Atmos, 4k, and a strong DAC. I need prepouts fot my2 channel amp to power my mains... I currently run a minidsp for my 2 subs. A preout for my center channel would be nice as well.

I know about the X6800H Denon and the Marantz C30 but was wondering if there was something a bit less pricy.... I do have a nice system and speakers so I want something that will compliment the rest of what I have but don't want to spend 4k+ on an AVR.... thoughts?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

X4800 also nice and also built in Japan.

X3800 also nice, built in Vietnam.

Yamaha RX-A6A also nice. 5 YR warranty. But Room Correction not as good as Denon. PEQ is pretty nice.

 

[PENG]

I'm due to replace my Pioneer Elite AVR soon. I am looking for Atmos, 4k, and a strong DAC. I need prepouts fot my2 channel amp to power my mains... I currently run a minidsp for my 2 subs. A preout for my center channel would be nice as well.

I know about the X6800H Denon and the Marantz C30 but was wondering if there was something a bit less pricy.... I do have a nice system and speakers so I want something that will compliment the rest of what I have but don't want to spend 4k+ on an AVR.... thoughts?

The value king is really the X3800H, so if you are on a budget and don't want to over spend then the 3800 is a no brainer.

That is, even if you don't believe in room correction, if you do then it is > a no brainer lol.....

 

[Trebdp83]

The Denon AVR-X3800H really does offer the best bang for buck. Though, I’d also consider the Onkyo TX-RZ70 which comes in at a price comparable to the Denon AVR-X4800H and Yamaha RX-A6A. The RZ70 and other Onkyos will be familiar to those using later model Pioneer units.

All offer a full set of pre outs with the Denon models supporting four subwoofers. If wanting to use external power for the Center Channel Speaker as well, the savings from an X3800H purchase can be used for another amplifier.

 

[moves]

Awsome guys thanks for your input... on the higher end.... this looks awesome:

AVM 90 from Anthem: https://products.anthemav.com/avm90/


THE 3800 has 9 channels and 4 sub outputs.... I have a minidsp so the extra sub outs are not needed.

However, I don't now much about Atmos but wouldn't one want 11 channels? 4 ceiling, 2 rear and the typical 5? or are the extra 2 channels only needed if you have 2 or 3 row seating?

 

[Trebdp83]

The X3800H can process 11 channels and power 9. One could use it as a processor and power all channels externally.

 

[PENG]

Awsome guys thanks for your input... on the higher end.... this looks awesome:

AVM 90 from Anthem: https://products.anthemav.com/avm90/


THE 3800 has 9 channels and 4 sub outputs.... I have a minidsp so the extra sub outs are not needed.

However, I don't now much about Atmos but wouldn't one want 11 channels? 4 ceiling, 2 rear and the typical 5? or are the extra 2 channels only needed if you have 2 or 3 row seating?

Just my 2 cents, the X3800H will do much better with DLBC, or even just Audyssey, than the AVM90, that’s based on measurements, AVM owners who only gi by their perceptions will obviously think the opposite is true. As to minidsp, I have had 3, now two 8 channel units, they are no substitue to the AVR’s subouts that are discrete, and the minidsp’s are limited to 2 V maximum unless yours has balanced outputs. With the mini, you would be doing double conversions, ie ADC and then DAC, not ideal….

The AVM90 costs a lot more, probably 7 times that of the x3800h on sale, that’s a tough one to justify for a lot of users who just want a good practical option to enjoy HT and music, but for a fan of expensive Anthem AVM, it can br. great choice.

 

[TLS Guy]

Awsome guys thanks for your input... on the higher end.... this looks awesome:

AVM 90 from Anthem: https://products.anthemav.com/avm90/


THE 3800 has 9 channels and 4 sub outputs.... I have a minidsp so the extra sub outs are not needed.

However, I don't now much about Atmos but wouldn't one want 11 channels? 4 ceiling, 2 rear and the typical 5? or are the extra 2 channels only needed if you have 2 or 3 row seating?

Avoid the junk coming out of Vietnam. I have had two in row units made in Vietnam fail prematurely. One in 3 months with warranty repair appalling.

Sound United have been driven into the ground by Masimo. Places like Vietnam are awash in counterfeit capacitors especially.

I was really encouraged that the CEO of Harmon, the purchaser of Sound United say in his first interview, they had to get control of their supply chain. He obviously knows there are issues here.

At this time if you buy a Marantz or Denon receiver make sure it is built in Japan, and rigorously avoid one sourced from anywhere else until the junk is all sold off.

I suspect Yamaha is a solid choice as far as reliability, warranty and after sales service.

Unit failure is a massive PITA I can assure you, warranty or not.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Avoid the junk coming out of Vietnam. I have had two in row units made in Vietnam fail prematurely. One in 3 months with warranty repair appalling.

Sound United have been driven into the ground by Masimo. Places like Vietnam are awash in counterfeit capacitors especially.

I was really encouraged that the CEO of Harmon, the purchaser of Sound United say in his first interview, they had to get control of their supply chain. He obviously knows there are issues here.

At this time if you buy a Marantz or Denon receiver make sure it is built in Japan, and rigorously avoid one sourced from anywhere else until the junk is all sold off.

I suspect Yamaha is a solid choice as far as reliability, warranty and after sales service.

Unit failure is a massive PITA I can assure you, warranty or not.

A LOT of brands, including the $7.5K Anthem and $7K ARCAM, are made in Vietnam.

The $10K NAD M17 AVP is made in China.

 

[TLS Guy]

A LOT of brands, including the $7.5K Anthem is made in Vietnam.

The $10K NAD M17 AVP is made in China.

Yes, and Anthem were on my short list, and is one of the reasons I avoided Anthem.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yes, and Anthem were on my short list, and is one of the reasons I avoided Anthem.

Very few components are made in Japan: Denon x4800 and higher end models, Marantz Cinema40 and higher end models are made in Japan.

Yamaha and Sony made in Malaysia.

 

[Trebdp83]

If throwing out the budget for a processor such as the AVM90, I’d look to the Marantz AV20 for considerably less money. Spending a bit more than the AVM90 will get you an AV10.

 

[moves]

Just my 2 cents, the X3800H will do much better with DLBC, or even just Audyssey, than the AVM90, that’s based on measurements, AVM owners who only gi by their perceptions will obviously think the opposite is true. As to minidsp, I have had 3, now two 8 channel units, they are no substitue to the AVR’s subouts that are discrete, and the minidsp’s are limited to 2 V maximum unless yours has balanced outputs. With the mini, you would be doing double conversions, ie ADC and then DAC, not ideal….

The AVM90 costs a lot more, probably 7 times that of the x3800h on sale, that’s a tough one to justify for a lot of users who just want a good practical option to enjoy HT and music, but for a fan of expensive Anthem AVM, it can br. great choice.

Amazing ty! So if I were to go with the 3800 you're saying that I would be best to drop the minidsp and just use the AVR for sub processing? Currently using the mini because I only have 1 sub out and am using 2 subs.

 

[TLS Guy]

Very few components are made in Japan: Denon x4800 and higher end models, Marantz Cinema40 and higher end models are made in Japan.

Yamaha and Sony made in Malaysia.

From what I have heard, that Yamaha factory in Malaysia is a very well run tight ship. Yamaha have a good reputation for dealing with warranty issues. For Moves on his budget his safest option is Yamaha at this time.

Since he only has a two channel power amp, he really does need a receiver and not an AVP. So, unfortunately an AVP like the AV 20 and AV 10 are not an option for him.

This is a huge issue, as if you put an Atmos system together using an AVP, you have a lot of amps to buy and assemble. That can really fill a room unless you can keep the amps out of site. If you buy a power amp with a bunch of channels, then it weighs a ton and you often are not much further ahead as you can't get full power from all the channels.

In order to improve the situation in terms of interior design and proper functionality, active speakers really are the answer. That solves these problems and in doing so will increase SQ with proper design and by a lot.

What I am now seeing in AVRs with multiple channels is that the power supplies are getting further stretched and power output is decreasing with just two channels driven over one. And who just drives one channel? So this is all descending into a farce. This was predictable as adding those amps, leaves less room for the power supply and the quiescent current is now significant, so just driving two channels embarrasses the power supply. I am in no doubt we have gone down a dead end that is ending up badly as we run out of road.

 

[Kingnoob]

From what I have heard, that Yamaha factory in Malaysia is a very well run tight ship. Yamaha have a good reputation for dealing with warranty issues. For Moves on his budget his safest option is Yamaha at this time.

Since he only has a two channel power amp, he really does need a receiver and not an AVP. So, unfortunately an AVP like the AV 20 and AV 10 are not an option for him.

This is a huge issue, as if you put an Atmos system together using an AVP, you have a lot of amps to buy and assemble. That can really fill a room unless you can keep the amps out of site. If you buy a power amp with a bunch of channels, then it weighs a ton and you often are not much further ahead as you can't get full power from all the channels.

In order to improve the situation in terms of interior design and proper functionality, active speakers really are the answer. That solves these problems and in doing so will increase SQ with proper design and by a lot.

What I am now seeing in AVRs with multiple channels is that the power supplies are getting further stretched and power output is decreasing with just two channels driven over one. And who just drives one channel? So this is all descending into a farce. This was predictable as adding those amps, leaves less room for the power supply and the quiescent current is now significant, so just driving two channels embarrasses the power supply. I am in no doubt we have gone down a dead end that is ending up badly as we run out of road.

Entry level amps keep getting weaker too, I have a Yamaha TSR-5810 upstairs and it’s 80wpc 2ch driven . Not that I ever ran out of power but definitely weak.
it’s also crazy how expensive high end avr are getting. I’m stuck buying mid or low tier ones , my onkyo hdmi got fixed once is that still an issue with the brand?
I never checked were they are made ??
My Yamaha had to be reset because a speaker triggered protect mode once. Is there a most reliable brand??
Would you avoid Denon??
Why do people spend so much additional money on Atmos is it worth it? To spend 2-10K+ or more for it? Counting better avr, high price processors amps, better speakers??

 

[Eppie]

Denon has been pretty good with firmware updates. My X4800H has received improvements to HEOS, is now supported by Roon and I just got the Dirac Active Room Treatment update. Might pick up the Dirac license if it goes on sale. The X3800H received the same updates.

 

[lovinthehd]

Another vote for the 3800. I'd definitely try its management of subs (with editor app particularly) before putting your minidsp back in....

 

[Golfx]

Amazing ty! So if I were to go with the 3800 you're saying that I would be best to drop the minidsp and just use the AVR for sub processing? Currently using the mini because I only have 1 sub out and am using 2 subs.

That is what i took from PENG’s post as well.