Do I need a new AVR to get 4K/HDR?

[Jason55]

I have an Apple 4K tv and a Sony A1E 4K tv and a 11 year old pioneer VSX 84Tsxi.

The Apple TV is connected to the Sony via hdmi and the Sony is connected to the pioneer via optical.

Do I need to upgrade my receiver to get “true” 4K/HDR? In other words am I losing any image or sound quality because I don’t have a 4K AVR?

Thanks!


Current system:

Sony Bravia A1E OLED 4K
Apple TV 4K
Pioneer VSX 84TSXi (11 years old)
Salk Sound Veracity HT2
Maggie CC5 center

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You aren't required to replace your avr as long as your 4k sources wired directly to your 4k tv.
Only limitation would be optical is limited to regular Dolby Digital/DTS and that's it.

 

[Jason55]

Thanks BSA. I only have one source which is the Apple TV and it is connected to my tv

What is the consequence of optical being limited to DD/DTS?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks BSA. I only have one source which is the Apple TV and it is connected to my tv

What is the consequence of optical being limited to DD/DTS?

No HD Audio support, no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. These mostly would come if you ever purchase 4k BD player

 

[lovinthehd]

DTS and DD/DD+ are just fine for a 3.1 setup I think. I never have used any video processing in my avrs, have more control in the tvs.

 

[Jason55]

No HD Audio support, no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. These mostly would come if you ever purchase 4k BD player

Ok thanks

DTS and DD/DD+ are just fine for a 3.1 setup I think. I never have used any video processing in my avrs, have more control in the tvs.

What about 5.1? I have a 3.0 now, and the next step after replacing my center is to add a sub and eventually get surrounds

 

[lovinthehd]

What about 5.1? I have a 3.0 now, and the next step after replacing my center is to add a sub and eventually get surrounds

5.1 from DTS/DD+ sources I think works very well also. Subtle difference IMO to the lossless codecs, but if those are important to you then new avr....

 

[KenM10759]

The original question is a good example of why I'm happy I got an NAD T758 in 2014. It didn't have 4K video then, now it does. Soon, it'll have Atmos. Adding the upgraded MDC modules is cheaper than buying a couple of new ones or living without for long.

 

[Jason55]

5.1 from DTS/DD+ sources I think works very well also. Subtle difference IMO to the lossless codecs, but if those are important to you then new avr....

I’ve lived without surrounds for so long that I’m sure I won’t miss the subtle differences

The original question is a good example of why I'm happy I got an NAD T758 in 2014. It didn't have 4K video then, now it does. Soon, it'll have Atmos. Adding the upgraded MDC modules is cheaper than buying a couple of new ones or living without for long.

I don’t know. My avr is 11 years old. I think I got pretty good value out of it

 

[Jason55]

So, I just ordered a Denon x3400

 

[-Jim-]

Good! Lossless HD Sound is the only way an Audioholic should listen to surround sound.