Finding suitable AV Receiver to replace Sony GA8ES

[Miss B]

The kid has grown and my audiophile hiatus is coming to an end. Time to pull out those old vinyls, re-hook up the turn table now that the kid won't use my records for frisbees......WAIT! My trusted companion of 20+ years is now having problems with the channels cutting out - Oh NO!

I have everything plugged into my Receiver -- VCR, CD player, dual cassette player, DVD player, TV -- including running a computer through it to watch Netflix and movies stored on the hard drive and DVRs not playable on the DVD player. It has a beautiful equalizer (I like the control).

Whats worse? Things have evolved past 2.1 and when 5.1 Dolby was new. There is new lingo to learn and subwoofers are common instead of extra special -- people have more than one? ..... I was excited when I had 2 sets of speakers (Woofer + Tweeter and Mid range + Tweeter).

The stereo store I used to go to for advice has gone by the wayside due to big box stores and others want to install a home theater system for me. No where to go for advice so I am turning to the web.

So what AV Receiver is comparable nowadays?

Thanks, in advance.
Miss B

 

[panteragstk]

I'm partial to Denon due to how many features they have at their respective price points. Marantz and Yamaha are also excellent contenders.

What features would you say are on your must have list?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

In general:

1. Yamaha- possibly most reliable and best HDMI compatibility (data from @M Code),usually more expensive due to less sales, amp section on models less than the RX-A1000 series not as strong (as Denon, Onkyo, Marantz, Integra), YPAO not as good as Audyssey.

2. Denon - probably most features, usually find more sales, Audyssey XT32 is better than YPAO, better power amp than Yamaha and some other brands, possibly not as reliable as Yamaha.

3. Integra - can get for cheap on A4L as refurbished, probably not as reliable as other brands

 

[PENG]

So what AV Receiver is comparable nowadays?

For slightly less (negligible) power output:

Yamaha:
RX-A1070 for $1199

Denon:
Denon AVR-X3400H for $599 if you don't need phono (MM),
or
AVR-X3500H for $999 if you need phono.

Marantz:
SR6012 for $899

For slightly more power:
Denon AVR-X4400H, Marantz SR7012, Yamaha RX-A2070
Prices for the above will drop a lot soon when the new models are out.

 

[Miss B]

I'm partial to Denon due to how many features they have at their respective price points. Marantz and Yamaha are also excellent contenders.

What features would you say are on your must have list?

panteragstk,

An equalizer is very high on the list. The old Sony had an internal one I could set based on my preferences. I am not sure I like the idea of software doing the thinking for me after all these years of doing it myself.

A phono input would be nice for the turntable, but I understand I can get a separate pre-amp for that (doubting my early 1980s Pioneer turntable has an internal one). I take very good of my equipment and so far have been able to keep my vintage pieces.

 

[lovinthehd]

It's a new information age, but you can research details better than you could 20 years ago without asking a salesman who may not have been all that up on the info anyways

The new avrs have built in eq, some with parametric eq like your Sony, altho your Sony seems to only have a three band version. Believe the Yamahas have parametric eq, not sure how many bands, probably at least 8; my Denon 4520 only has a 9 band graphic eq but I don't use it myself (I prefer what Audyssey does). Some of the automatic eq programs (Audyssey, MCACC, AccuEQ or even Sony's DCAC) can work very well but with less manual control but can do things you can't manually. Sony's DCAC isn't very highly thought of fwiw.

Some of the upper end of the avr lineups still come with phono stages built in altho more likely only for a moving magnet cartridge.

 

[Miss B]

lovinthehd

Thank you for pointing out the difference between the two EQs available. That was most helpful.

While doing some quick research on Equalizers, I read that I might have an issue hooking up a cassette tape decks? I have a Sony RX79ES dual deck.

Regarding the turn table, it is a Pioneer PL-100 from 1980 (I'm the original owner), considering the age, I believe it is a moving magnetic cartridge.

Something else that used to be standard, that I had not considered might have gone away, what about head phones?

You all are helping tremendously.

 

[lovinthehd]

lovinthehd

Thank you for pointing out the difference between the two EQs available. That was most helpful.

While doing some quick research on Equalizers, I read that I might have an issue hooking up a cassette tape decks? I have a Sony RX79ES dual deck.

Regarding the turn table, it is a Pioneer PL-100 from 1980 (I'm the original owner), considering the age, I believe it is a moving magnetic cartridge.

Something else that used to be standard, that I had not considered might have gone away, what about head phones?

You all are helping tremendously.

You're welcome. Tape loops have pretty much disappeared from the avr, altho some may still have record out jacks. More than likely you're using a moving magnet rather than moving coil cartridge, perhaps you can inspect it and see just what the cartridge is in terms of make and model. Headphone jacks are still included generally last I looked. You might look around here for bargains but note many are refurbs with limited warranty as compared to new, just be sure to read and understand their terms of sale/returns etc. https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/avreceiver/home-audio/receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html