What Do You Like About Current A/V Receivers?

[gene]

If your option isn't listed, please add it in this thread. Also, please elaborate on your choice(s) and reasoning behind them.

When this thread has a significant amount of votes and feedback, we will submit it to the major manufacturers for their consideration much like we did in the past with our Receiver/Processor Wish List. Note that a majority of the items on that list are now common place among the leading manufacturers.

 

[MDS]

All of the above. Value is hard to quantify, but for me if it meets all of the above criteria and is priced similarly to the competition, then it has value.

I think most mid-priced receivers are very similar in terms of performance and feature set, so the distinguishing feature is often ease of use. That means a well designed user interface with quick access to the most used features and adherence to standards.

 

[BostonMark]

Inputs, we need lots of inputs

I like a good receiver that has a full feature set. One feature I don't want skimped on is digital inputs. I bought a less expensive Denon (the AVR 1905) for my bedroom, but even though its 7.1, it will never go in my living room because it only has 3 optical ins, with one on the front,and two coaxials. It has preouts, analog ins, processor direct, DD, DTS, DTS ES, prologic II, Neomatrix sound and all, but for my main system, I want/need a lot of digital inputs.
My old Yamaha 5280 has the following plugged in via digital inputs
1. Cable box (optical) (component cable for video)
2. DVD player (optical) (component cable for video)
3. Computer MP3 Server (optical)
4. Sony Playstation (optical) (component cable not thru receiver)
5. X-Box (coaxial)(component cable not thru receiver)

These are just 5 components that benefit from optical ins that I have. Others may add Gamecube, a dedicated CD player, a DVD recorder (oh add some digital outputs too!), satellite, a minidisc player etc.

 

[Brandst]

I have to agree with BM, inputs, we need inputs. When I upgraded my receiver last month the deciding factor between the Marantz 7500 that I chose and the Denon 3805 was component inputs, the Marantz has 4 the Denon 3. I have a PS2, HD DSS, and my DVD all connected through component and may be adding a XBox/360 and possibly others. One thing I would have liked was DVI/HDMI in/out with upconversion but that was out of my price range, but would have allowed me to connect HDMI to my TV. I have 7 assignable digital audio inputs, 3/1 optical and 3 coax, so I'm not lacking on that front. A "good" universal remote would be nice to get as well, the one with the 7500 controls everything I have handily but could be easier to use.

Steve

 

[terror_beast]

I voted for all of the above. I can't say there is anything I particularly DISlike about current receivers except some of the remote controls that are included. I don't care for remotes that require a toggle to control different components (like Yamaha's remotes) or those silly "electro-luminence" remotes that Denon seems fond of.

But for most receivers out there, the amplification is decent to good. Almost every receiver includes all current decoding formats. More and more are including a minimum of 3 component inputs with upconversion. And having 7.1 analogue inputs means that they can be used as a stop gap for new audio formats until I'm ready to buy a whole new receiver.

The prices keep falling and the feature list keeps growing, so I can't complain about value one bit.

I do wish there were a way to have better customization though. For instance, I don't need composite or S-Video inputs at all. I'd love to free up that space on the back for more component, HDMI and FireWire connections. I don't ever see myself using XM Radio or connecting my iPod to my home audio system...so I don't want to pay for those features.

But the simple fact is that offering more models or customizable models would probably cost more than just shoving all these unused features into every unit. I'm not going to use them, but if it winds up costing MORE to take them out, then it hardly makes sense, does it?

t

 

[Snarl]

I picked Performance as "one" of the main things I want is lots of clean power for all channels with lots of head room. Along with this I'd like to see manufacturers post "real world" RMS power ratings for 2, 5 and 7 Channels continuous. I beleive that performance should also carry over to the circuitry DAC etc.. Unfortunately many of the other items are also valuable however as I can only pick one

 

[poneal]

Tuner Section

The thing that irks me the most on most mid-fi receivers is the lack of attention in the tuner section. Most all AVR and stereo receivers today put the crappiest components and least amount of thought into the tuner section. I for one like FM radio but listening to FM on some of these newer receivers really blows bad. It's a shame that tuners or 30+ years sound better than what they put out today. Well, that's my rant.

 

[Reorx]

I agree with Poneal about the tuner section. I would also like to add that I'd like to be able to see what is currently playing on the radio stations. My 4yr old car stereo can tell me song, title names, artists, station identification, why cant my home stereo receiver (I can't remember the technology term for this).

Modular inputs.
I would like to be able to swap out, or install additional inputs without having to buy a new receiver.

Digital equalizer.
I would like to be able to adjust a little more then just the bass, mid, and trebble. Or the predefined dsp's. I know some of the higher end receivers have these built in. I'd like to see this feature trickle down to the low-mid priced products.

Reorx

 

[BMXTRIX]

I think the feature set is what creates the value of the receiver. You can have a great feature set, but then charge $10K for it, so there is no value.

Performance for your dollar creates value. Value is most important of anything and everything.

I wouldn't not buy the 3806 if it cost $10,000 - But, 10 years ago when upconversion wasn't 'standard' that receiver may have been worth more than $10K.

I'm not sure how this list will help manufacturers. I think an annual "What would you like in a receiver?" list would be excellent though. I suppose positive feedback on a product is helpful to all manufacturers to determine what people like though.

 

[Dapper Dan]

More of the newer types inputs as mentioned, there are not enough these days.

What I would also like to see is a video and audio pass through. Thus not requiring “Y” splitters to use devices without the pre/pro/receiver having to be used.

Example, DVD to TV via receiver which is in STBY

Cheers...

Dapper Dan...

 

[awesomebase]

Good criteria

I think the criteria you mentioned were good measures, but I would like to actually add a couple of things. I've never been much of a fan of all the old connectors being used on new receivers. There is no compelling reason why it is necessary to have 8 or 9 inputs that utilize S-video or regular RCA a/v connectors. To me that is just a plain waste, I would like to see much less of that.
In fact, I would like to see much more focus put on the "v" side of the a/v receiver by adding more HDMI, USB2, FireWire, Ethernet type connections so that there is more integration with computer networks and removeable devices such as backup drives, etc. It seems to be taking way too long for those things to come to market.

 

[corey]

The best thing about newer receivers is their ability to equalize on a per channel basis. Has the potential to save you lots of $$ on room treatments & speaker upgrades.

 

[jbrillo]

One thing I really like about the newer receivers is their ability to calibrate the sound to your particular room. I don't have the skills required to do it properly and I'm sure a majority of people don't either. I've used Yamaha's YPAO to set up my brother in-laws RX-V2500 and I've used Pioneer's Advanced MCACC on my own VSX-72. As far as I can tell, they both seem to work fine. The only thing I changed on each receiver was the speaker settings. The Yamaha set my bro-in-laws main speakers to large & I set them to small. The Pioneer set all of my speakers to large, so I just switched them all to small. We both have subwoofers & there's no sense in taxing the receiver to do what the powered subwoofers can do on their own. Other than that, both systems sounded better after the calibration. Also, thanks to websites like Audioholics, I've learned a great deal about getting the most out of my system.

 

[bigrick15]

current receivers

I like the digital sound and the dsp's on some receivers. Vintage receivers
perform waaaayyyyyy better than most receivers out now. You have to get a receiver that cost 1000's of dollars to get a nice and quality performance from them.

 

[xboxweasel]

I am using the Yamaha RX-V2500 as a pre/pro. I like the fact that I can connect every device in my HT (PS2, xbox, DVD player, CD player) to this receiver. I use the Yamaha remote to control everything. I don't need 3 different remotes, only 1. It has a build in library for almost everything and it is a learning remote.

I supports DD and DTS (standard fair now a days). I don't care for any of the other DSPs. They are just toys.

I don't use it to listen to AM/FM. I hate radio. If it came without that feature I would still buy it.

It comes with a complete set of preouts. Which I am all using right now.

It has enough optical and coaxial digital ports for all my need (using 4 of them right now). 3 component video inputs (all used). Only 1 cable going to the TV from the receiver. No switching input channels on the TV anymore.

I am not a fan of the multi zone/room features. If I really wanted to listen to something in the other room I'd buy another receiver and set of speakers. Which I kind of did with the Soundtech C600.

Yes, there are featured not found on this receiver that others might have. But you will always get that no matter what brand you go with. Unless you spend a lot of money to get that one thing (whatever it happens to be) to make it complete.

I upgraded from a Kenwood receiver to this. I had purchased that in 1997. It supported DD and nothing else. The only setting you could adjust was speaker distance. But it had all 6 preouts. Something you don't find in a $500CDN receiver anymore.

 

[eyepod]

Without a dout ease of set up is paramount to reaching the masses the other 90% who buy HTiB systems.IMO

 

[racquetman]

Receivers nowadays need to be upgradable. There are just too many changes going on right now with standards and codecs and whatever. If you don't want your receiver to be obsolete, then upgrading via firmware or hardware is of paramount importance in my opinion. I don't want to drop a couple grand on a receiver and then 3 months later find out that Dolby is coming out with a new codec and I'm not going to be able to decode it!! I have to keep up with the Jones as they say.

 

[navsu]

this is my first post and I dont know if I am in the right place but what I would like to know is this. I have read the reviews untill I am totaly messed up. I am trying to decide between the rotel 8 receiver and the new offering of emotiva's 7 ch amp andpreamp. Are amp/pre amp setups all that much musical etc?

 

[navsu]

tryn to get started !

this is my first post and I dont know if I am in the right place but what I would like to know is this. I have read the reviews untill I am totaly messed up. I am trying to decide between the rotel 8 receiver and the new offering of emotiva's 7 ch amp andpreamp. Are amp/pre amp setups all that much musical etc?

 

[twotenjack]

I'm thinking the best line of receivers to buy, especially now, are the used ones. Older Pioneer Elites, older top the line Yamaha's etc. Why you ask? Because in the very near future most of the people on this board will be buying a new HDTV, but guess what! You're going to have to buy a new receiver too, why?
Well, from what I'm finding, the whole HDMI inputs on those fancy HDTV's are far from standardized. Unlike our beloved analog component inputs. Apparently there are only 2 HDTV's with HDMI inputs. Guess what, there's going to be a totally new version of the HDMI plug within 2 years. A plug that is completely different than those on the RX-V1600 etc.
So if you're on a budget, then buy cheap or buy used because there's a very good chance your receiver will be obsolete within 2 years.