Given that particular turntable, you really have no limitations. The AT-LP120-USB can use its own internal pre-amp and output a standard "line" level signal. So there's no need to even look for a phono input or ground screw connection on your choice of AV Receiver. Any AV Receiver with a standard stereo analogue input can accept the "line" output from that turntable, so you're in good shape!
I'd recommend getting one of the following three Denon AV Receivers from accessories4less.com. A4L is a fully authorized Denon online retailer. The products they sell are marked as "refurbished", but you should not let this dissuade you from buying from them in any way! You get a full 1 year warranty (no 90 day BS
), and the products are often literally brand new (and merely on clearance directly from Denon), or they are just as good as new and simply an "open box". Accessories4less is the best way to get a great AV Receiver at a discounted price from a fully authorized dealer. So this is the way to go.
The three Receivers to consider are:
AVR-1712 for $270
AVR-1713 for $320
AVR-1912 for $330
The differences in features and inputs are confusing, so I'll try to do a break down for you here. Sorry ahead of time if it's still confusing
AVR-1712 has:
-
7 amps, all rated at 90 Watts per channel.
You can assign 2 out of those 7 amps to power a "zone 2" if you want to. Does NOT have Red & White stereo analogue "zone 2" outputs though.
- 6 HDMI inputs - all on the back - with full 3D support, HD-Audio support (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD), and ARC
- 5 Red & White stereo analogue inputs
- Audyssey
MultEQ XT auto-setup/room correction. This is 2nd only to MultEQ XT32 in Audyssey's lineup, and very rare at this low price point! MultEQ XT plots many data points in both the subwoofer bass and higher frequency speakers for very precise EQ.
- 2 in/1 out component video switching. But it does NOT convert component video to HDMI output.
- Does NOT have a USB input
- Does NOT support Apple AirPlay or a Network connection
AVR-1713 has:
-
5 amps, all rated at 80 Watts per channel.
- Red & White stereo analogue "zone 2" output. So you can connect a separate stereo amp in a 2nd zone if you want to.
- 6 HDMI inputs - one is on the front.
- Only has 2 Red & White stereo analogue inputs
- USB input on the front
- Supports Apple AirPlay and has an Ethernet Network connection so you can connect to internet radio, several online streaming music services, or stream over your own network from a network-connected computer or NAS.
- Audyssey MultEQ XT
- Does NOT have any component video
- Does NOT have AM radio (weird
)
AVR-1912 has:
-
7 amps, all rated at 90 Watts per channel.
You can assign 2 out of those 7 amps to power a "zone 2" if you want to. Does NOT have Red & White stereo analogue "zone 2" outputs though.
- 6 HDMI inputs - all on the back.
- 5 Red & White stereo analogue inputs.
- USB input on the front
- Supports Apple AirPlay and has an Ethernet Network connection.
- Steps DOWN to "regular" Audyssey MultEQ. MultEQ and MultEQ XT both use the same number of data points to EQ the subwoofer bass. Bass is where you need EQ the most, so this does not change, and you're still in good shape. MultEQ XT uses far more data points than "regular" MultEQ when EQ'ing the speakers though. So "regular" MultEQ is much less precise in EQ'ing the speakers.
- Has only 1 component video input. This lone component video input gets converted to HDMI output.
All three models have 1 coax digital (S/PDIF) audio input, and 1 optical digital (TosLink) audio input.
None have a dedicated phone input or ground screw, but as I said at the very beginning, that's ok, because your turntable can output a standard "line" level Red & White stereo analogue signal, which any of these Denon Receivers can accept. The 1713 and 1912 should also be able to use the USB output from your turntable if you want to.
Hope that helps!
