You're most welcome!
First up, I would recommend that you use
AudiogoN if you want to sell your RX-V2095. The reason is pretty simple: just in terms of features, inputs and formats, the RX-V2095 is well behind even entry-level receivers these days. So non-enthusiasts aren't going to be interested. The RX-V2095 was pretty well known back in its day though, so there are enthusiasts out there who will still remember that model and have more interest in it. And you'll find those folks at AudiogoN
Funnily enough, one of the main reasons the RX-V2095 was lauded back in its day was because it made for a really good pre-pro! Back then, not as many A/V Receivers offered full pre-outs, and several that did had low quality, noisy pre-outs. Yamaha came along and used dedicated circuitry for the pre-out section, making it just as good as high end pre-pros back in the day. That was rare back then. Not so rare today
So it's mostly going to be about finding the right buyer. Someone who's actually interested in the history and heritage of the model. A casual home theater fan probably wouldn't pay more than a hundred bucks for it, if that! But there are Yamaha fans out there, who still like to go back and listen to the "classic" products. And the RX-V2095 is one of those "classics". So to that kind of buyer, if its in very good condition, it might be worth $500 or $600 to them.
Again, you shouldn't really
expect to get that much. The RX-V2095 is not going to sell at all based on features or inputs. I know it's tough to accept the idea that a receiver that was worth upwards of $1500 back in the day is now almost worthless to most people. But such is the fate of technology. My first PC cost $5000. It had a 50 MB (yes, megabyte) hard drive that cost $500 in it. Tech items don't exactly retain their value
In terms of what new A/V Receiver models to consider, I personally stick with models that include Audyssey MultEQ XT32. I really find it very impressive, and the best room correction and EQ that is available at the moment. The Denon 4311CI and most recently updated version of the flagship AVR-5308CI have it. The Onkyo models that I listed before have it. And the Integra sister models (Integra is just the custom installer-centric sub-brand of Onkyo) have it.
The Onkyo TX-NR818 is, by quite a margin, the least expensive unit to include MultEQ XT32. Street price is under $1000. The TX-NR1010 is nearly identical, but adds a couple of possibly useful features, including: independent dual HDMI outputs (the dual outputs on the 818 are just mirrored and always output the same HDMI signal), independent dual subwoofer EQ (so a separate MultEQ XT32 EQ for each of two subwoofers. The 818 EQs both subwoofers in mono), one additional HDMI input (the chart at Amazon isn't quite accurate), and a power section that can pull slightly more current, and allows the 1010 to pass THX Ultra2 Plus standards (again, the Amazon graph is inaccurate) while the 818 is THX Select2 Plus certified.
The TX-NR3010 and TX-NR5010 are essentially identical. There's almost no reason to consider the 5010. It's just the "all out" version that Onkyo develops every year so that they can slap an Integra chassis on it and charge several thousand dollars extra for their customer installer resellers, who always love to have a "step up" model available for their clients who have more money than sense
The 3010 has all the same features and inputs. The "gold plating" on the 5010 does absolutely nothing other than give a shiny gold color for the "more money than sense" crowd to look at and nod their heads approvingly
The toroidal transformer in the 5010 is technically capable of drawing a bit more current and producing a tiny bit less noise, but the massive EI transformer in the 3010 performs just as well in any real world sense. You'll absolutely never hear the difference. Again, it's just something to justify the hefty price increase to the "more money than sense" crowd
So it's mostly a matter of maybe one or two specific features that might sway you to one model or another. The Onkyos have better video processing than the Denon 4311. That may or may not be worth something to you. The 1010 adds the independent dual HDMI outputs and dual subwoofer EQs. The 3010 just adds two more channels of amplification and the ability to go to an 11.4 speaker setup if you want to.
Personally, I think there are extremely few reasons to go above the superb value of the TX-NR818. I see pretty much zero value in the 8th & 9th "height" channels or the 10th & 11th "width" channels, so I really don't see any need for the 9 or 11 speaker setups. If you have two or four subwoofers, they should all be run in mono anyway, since that is how you obtain the frequency response "smoothing" effects of using multiple subwoofers to control reflected bass waves within your room and across multiple seats. So really, the only reason to even look above the 818 in Onkyo's lineup would be if you really want those dual independent HDMI outputs!
With your Paradigm speakers, the Onkyo 818 (or any of the others) will drive your speakers easily. With more difficult speakers, the 818 might start to struggle a bit and get very toasty. Onkyos do tend to run quite warm regardless. But your speakers are especially easy to drive, so it's a very good match in that respect. And since you'll be spending under $1000 if you go with the 818, you might be that much closer in budget to being able to add a great external amp anyway, which will completely eliminate any concerns about the 818's amplifiers or higher operating temperature.
I tend to be a fan of using monoblock amplifiers myself. If I'm going to use external amps, I'm going to go "whole hog" and demand the absolute lowest noise floor and complete channel separation (zero cross talk). There's really no reason to use an external amplifier otherwise, IMO, since high end A/V Receiver amps are so good these days. The only other possible reason is just sheer Wattage and loudness if you have a huge room, or inefficient speakers.
That said, if you just want to take the burden off of the 818's internal amps and have more power on tap for added headroom and dynamics and realisitic transients, it's awfully hard to ignore the superb value of the Emotiva and ATI amps. As mentioned, ATI is the OEM for many other amplifier brands, including Outlaw Audio, who often sell at lower prices due to their internet-direct sale method.
One fantastic option is to get the XPA-3 from Emotiva to power just your Front Left, Center and Right speakers. The 818 can easily, easily handle the surround channels with its internal amps.
What I would do personally if I were in your shoes and it were my money: I would keep a close eye on
accessories4less for a refurbished TX-NR818 to come in stock. Accessories4less is the fully authorized "outlet" dealer for Onkyo, Denon and Marantz. You get a full 1 year warranty (no 90 day BS), and the units are essentially brand new. Even better than brand new, in one way, since they've been fully tested and recertified before being sold
$750 for the 818 is
insane in terms of value, which is why 818 units sell out the momen they appear there! But if you keep a constant eye out, you might be able to snag one
I'd add the $700
Emotiva XPA-3 . With that combo of products, you'll have all the power and features you could possibly want for under $1500! Trust me, a combo like this absolutely shreds what you'd find in a dedicated separates package to pieces. And the sound quality you'd get is second to none. It's just a monumental value. And even if you opt for a brand new 818 unit at around $1000, you'd still be way, way ahead of the game in terms of what anyone would expect for around a $1700 total price. No reason to pay more for external amplification for surround and surround back channels that absolutely do not need it. And superb power for the front 3 speakers that might actually make use of the extra headroom on rare occassions
Absolutely bleeding edge features with the TX-NR818 as your controller. And zero worries with the XPA-3 handling the power requirements of the front 3 speakers and unburdening the 818's internal amps.
Not a penny wasted, which is what I love to see. I think you'd be thrilled and floored by that combo. And it'll make it a lot easier to say goodbye to your Yammy once you see and hear what the "new kids" can do
