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New AVR Recommendations
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JoeESP9
ESL's & tubes since 83
Check this out.
Yamaha TSR-700 7.1 <$600 @ Amazon. It says it's 100W. It fits all of your requirements.
With your budget I'd go for a higher level "Yammy". You could also buy an Emotiva UMC-1 and a couple of power amplifiers for ~$2K.
The only difference between .1 and .2 is the number of LFE outputs. The Yamaha has two LFE outputs. Note: The LFE output(s) is/are mono. You could just as easily use a Y cable to get two outputs from a single connector.
FWIW: I have a Yamaha AVR in my bedroom. I also have an Emotive UMC-200 (soon to be replaced) as a pre/pro in my main system.
Yamaha TSR-700 7.1 <$600 @ Amazon. It says it's 100W. It fits all of your requirements.
With your budget I'd go for a higher level "Yammy". You could also buy an Emotiva UMC-1 and a couple of power amplifiers for ~$2K.
The only difference between .1 and .2 is the number of LFE outputs. The Yamaha has two LFE outputs. Note: The LFE output(s) is/are mono. You could just as easily use a Y cable to get two outputs from a single connector.
FWIW: I have a Yamaha AVR in my bedroom. I also have an Emotive UMC-200 (soon to be replaced) as a pre/pro in my main system.
twiiii
Lunatic Member
None of the AVR's put out what they say they will if rated in the STEREO mode. They may say 100 watts a channel but in the surround 7.2 mode there will be significantly less power. Thats why I use separates. If Mcintosh says XXX watts per channel its always about 25% more for the 7106, 206, and 207 and 8207. same goes for the 7205 and 205. The new 255 and 257 are rated differently, but still put out about 25% more per channel all channels operating. So a 207 and 8207 put out 250 watts each channel before the power guard comes on preventing clipping. The 255 and 257, rated at 250 watts for just the 3 channels operating and 200 watts per channel all channels operating still put out close to 250 watts all channels operating like the earlier models. That is not peak power but full continuous power all channels operating. Unfortunately Mcintosh quit making their AVR's quite a few years ago, so they are obsolete now not having all the latest processing and video handling capabilities now required. I would probably choose Marantz or Denon for a current AVR. But make sure of their power ratings first.
Guess I’ll jump on this train as well. Yamaha provides really good bang per buck; full disclosure: I own an older model AVR for my HT duties as well as zone 2 duties for my patio music. Once warmed up, it provides surprisingly good sound quality.
Of course, YMMV. Good luck on your search!
Of course, YMMV. Good luck on your search!
I have recently chosen to purchase an Integra DRX 3.4... which I am very happy with.
My own thinking in terms of shortlisting.
1) In terms of performance, some of the top contenders have had disappointing results when measured (NAD, Arcam, JBL)
2) For what I am looking for, I want a good performing Pre section (DACS and DSP, decoders etc...) - the amp section should be either adequate for surrounds and heights with pre-outs for the fron L/C/R or capable of handling 2ohm speakers with competence ... mostly that means it has to have pre-outs. (my main speakers are low impedance woofer drops to 3 ohm and tweeter is at 1.6 ohm - midrange is easy...)
3) Want 5.1.4 - as my intention is to expand my 5.1 setup to 5.1.4 at some point
4) would like to have Auro3D (but not critical)
5) Must have either Audyssey XT32 or Dirac - Dirac preferred due to having used Audyssey based systems for over 10 years with nothing but disappointment... the new Audyssey app should overcome my issues with it... but have been impressed by Dirac at audio shows - in stereo setups hence my preference
My shortlist ended up being Onkyo/Integra/Pioneer/Denon ... Marantz got pushed out of the list for cost/value reasons as well as underperforming compared to its Denon stablemate - Anthems were too expensive
In the end, I found I could get an Integra 3.4 for around 30% less than the Denon X3700 - it has ample power for surrounds and heights internally, and pre-outs so I can run my external amps with it for my difficult fronts. - Considered the Onkyo RZ50 (and its siblings) - but I would have been paying more, for additional power I don't need... so the Integra 3.4, was my best value alternative. (also based on the market in Australia - pricing does vary by region, and so do the differentials between siblings Onkyo / Integra / Pionneer and their competitors)
My own thinking in terms of shortlisting.
1) In terms of performance, some of the top contenders have had disappointing results when measured (NAD, Arcam, JBL)
2) For what I am looking for, I want a good performing Pre section (DACS and DSP, decoders etc...) - the amp section should be either adequate for surrounds and heights with pre-outs for the fron L/C/R or capable of handling 2ohm speakers with competence ... mostly that means it has to have pre-outs. (my main speakers are low impedance woofer drops to 3 ohm and tweeter is at 1.6 ohm - midrange is easy...)
3) Want 5.1.4 - as my intention is to expand my 5.1 setup to 5.1.4 at some point
4) would like to have Auro3D (but not critical)
5) Must have either Audyssey XT32 or Dirac - Dirac preferred due to having used Audyssey based systems for over 10 years with nothing but disappointment... the new Audyssey app should overcome my issues with it... but have been impressed by Dirac at audio shows - in stereo setups hence my preference
My shortlist ended up being Onkyo/Integra/Pioneer/Denon ... Marantz got pushed out of the list for cost/value reasons as well as underperforming compared to its Denon stablemate - Anthems were too expensive
In the end, I found I could get an Integra 3.4 for around 30% less than the Denon X3700 - it has ample power for surrounds and heights internally, and pre-outs so I can run my external amps with it for my difficult fronts. - Considered the Onkyo RZ50 (and its siblings) - but I would have been paying more, for additional power I don't need... so the Integra 3.4, was my best value alternative. (also based on the market in Australia - pricing does vary by region, and so do the differentials between siblings Onkyo / Integra / Pionneer and their competitors)
