Need a new receiver. Dazed and confused.

[davbailey]

I have been researching on and off for a few days for the best receiver that will fit my needs. (Need a new receiver and any wireless adapter (i/a) for under $1k)

I have found a lot of info and it has all got jumbled together in my head so the reason for the title.

I am replacing an Onkyo TX-SR674. It has been having issues with HDMI switching for a while and it doesn't have enough HDMI inputs to meet my needs anymore.

I mainly use a receiver for tv, movies/dvd's, music, and radio.

I bought my AV equipment in 07 and haven't updated it since then. (Other priorities.) In addition to the new receiver, I am going to have to get a new Blu-ray player. (Could this be an alternative to the missing integrated wifi?)

In the next year (or two) I will get a new TV (which is why I want 4k capability.)

Current speakers: (Which I am not looking to upgrade.)

Fronts: Boston Acoustic VR2B
Surround: (Mounted from the ceiling) Boston Acoustic CR67B
Center: Boston Acoustic CRC7B
Powered Subwoofer: Boston Acoustic XB4
Zone 2: (On the patio ceiling) Boston Acoustics Voyager 5

(My friend was a mgr at Circuit City when I got the system in 07 so Boston Acoustic and Onkyo was the way to go.)

I am looking for the following:

Non-Onkyo receiver. Read too much about hdmi issues. Mine is having it as well as my cousins. Sorry Onkyo, but if you don't make a quality product, I will not buy your product again. My old Kenwoood 9010 lasted over 15 years without an issue except technology passing it by. I bought the Onkyo in the fall of 07. It didn't make it 6 years before starting to have issues.

HDMI inputs for: Uverse, DVD, Xbox, Apple TV, A PC-HDMI converter, and maybe one or two extra HDMI inputs for future things. At least 1 component input for our Wii. (It is older, but my son and I still enjoy some Mario Kart.)

Zone 2 capability: Want to be able to use digital inputs.

Video: 4k capability for the future.

Ability to use a digital input for a powered zone 2 to play internet radio and/or other inputs.
I would prefer a receiver with integrated wireless capability to connect to my Wifi. (Not a make or break as I can get an adapter.)

Sub out as my sub is powered.

Easy to use. (For my wife)

I have looked at the Denon X3000 and X4000 as well as the Yamaha 675 and 775. All seem to be missing one or the other.

One receiver I reviewed which I think was Denon or HK had Zone 2 that had to be turned off when the unit was turned on. This is not good as I don't hear the patio when I turn on the receiver.

Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

I don't have a strong recommendation for you, just some info.

First, an external WiFi adapter is really pretty inexpensive and small, and I'd suggest looking into one of those versus making it a strong requirement for a receiver. It just opens up your options more for very little money (and might end up saving you money in the big picture). You've had your current receiver for six years, and if you're going to keep your next for that long, there may be a newer and faster WiFi protocol that comes out that you'd like to use before you upgrade receivers.

Next, 4k. I honestly haven't kept up with all of that, but my impression (which others here can confirm or refute) is that the current 4k pass through capability in receivers is limited to 24 frames per second. I think that HDMI 2.0 is required to increase that frame rate. Something that I wanted to mention...but I certainly could have fallen behind the times.

Do you have a particular preference for room calibration? I prefer Pioneer's MCACC system because it can store multiple configurations (in the Advanced version) that I need, whereas Audyssey can only store one. For a single location, I find both to do a good job in my house, though.

 

[davbailey]

Thank you for your reply Adam.

I think that removing the requirement for built in Wifi is a good idea.

As far as the video requirement, I was not aware of that limitation.

Regarding the room calibration, I have no preference. We have 2 major listening positions (each side of the couch), and 2 secondary (guest) positions.

 

[jalesi]

I'm no 4k expert, but I have read a few things, and apparently, for most, the 24fps frame rate will be fine since that is what movies and TV shows are filmed at. It will also be a hardware/firmware update, so it may be possible that if films/TV goes to a higher frame rate, the receiver could be updated via a firmware update. But that is pure speculation on my part. And for the record, I too am in your same shoes. The Denon x4000 gets lots of good press and is one of my top possibilities.

 

[davbailey]

The Denon x3000 has a review on Amazon which states that zone 2 powers up when the unit is turned on. This is a make or break since zone 2 will be my back patio speakers. Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Denon AVR-X3000 7.2-Channel 4K Ultra HD Networking Home Theater Receiver with AirPlay

 

[davbailey]

Thank you Jalesi.

Anyone else with any suggestions?

 

[psbfan9]

Hi Dave,

I recently (6 months ago) upgraded my receiver. I went from an Onkyo 608, which I loved, to a Yamaha RX A830. The A830, at $849.95, has everything you're looking for and more. I've been very happy with it so far.

Newegg.com - Yamaha RX-A830 7.2 Channel Aventage Network AV Receiver with Airplay (Black)

Yamaha RX-A830 AVENTAGE 7.2 Channel Network AV Receiver Preview | Audioholics

 

[Pyrrho]

I would go with Yamaha. In fact, I have gone with Yamaha. Judging from complaints that people make online, Yamaha is as reliable as you will find. They also are competitive in price and features, so I plan on sticking with Yamaha in the future, unless they change their ways. If you wish to disregard this advice, it is not a problem for me if you end up with a receiver that causes you problems.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would go for the Denon X4000 for the Audyssey XT32 + dual Sub EQ, among other things you listed.

For BD, I would get a 4K Panasonic BD player.

 

[jalesi]

I just purchased a Yamaha rva 2020 for under a grand. I haven't gotten to hood it up yet as I am in need of some cooling device for it. The specs were great and to me worth the extra 2 benjamins over the 830 or 1020. While I can't comment on panasonic's BD players, I have had nothing but great success and enjoyment out of their TV's and cd players. In fact, I still have a cd changer from them that was a Christmas gift to me around 1998 that still works. It's my opinion that their quality is top notch.