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Older "AV" receivers with digital inputs... worth getting for audio?

hnash53

hnash53

Super Member
I'm leaning toward digital audio more and more... but I don't want to get a "full-fledged" home theater receiver with a bazillion channels/choices/formats/menus.

So... are the older "AV" receivers a bit simpler than today's 5.1/7.1/9.1/11/1/ad infinitum HT units? It seems that the older ones don't have the "setup mic" and all that jazz.

I have the Chromecast Audio device that has an optical OUT. Since I stream all my music, I'm looking to get as good sound quality that I can, and some of the AV receivers come with optical inputs.

I also have the Chromecast Video device that has an HDMI OUT. I'm thinking I can plug that into my TV, and then send the digital audio OUT through the optical OUT on my TV to a receiver with optical input.

I just don't need... or want... all the channels, all the surround sound formats, all the Halls, etc etc etc.

So, how does this sound? Are there any particular older AV units that were known for their audio quality and ease of setup?

Thanks for your input... pun intended!!
 
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If you like your current receiver, a better option would be a digital to audio converter (DAC). The DAC connects between your optical or coaxial output and the audio level inputs on your current receiver.
 
You can't get too old or they don't have digital inputs. Once you get into having digital inputs then you inherently are newer (relatively speaking) and have added complexity.

From memory, digital inputs didn't appear on AVRs until Dolby Digital became mainstream in the early or mid 90s. So, older, yes, but surround receivers and processors with non-digital decoding existed for some years before that. So, if it's digital input you want, you have to avoid the first 5-10 years of AV receivers/processors as they had only analog inputs.
 
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Why not pick one up and try it? Even excellent quality older av receivers do not hold their value as technology marches on, Around here there's plenty of them for sale and they can be had for very little money.

I'm thinking the av receiver's internal dac when set to 2 channel stereo has to be an improvement over the $35 Chromecast's dac. As was mentioned the better idea would be to come out of the Chromecast and into a standalone dac.
 
Dunno what the budget is, but I have an Anthem AVM 20 pre/pro that is largely outdated from an HT perspective (no HDMI, no room correction, no ATMOS). Yet, it is chock full of good bits of 24/96 AKM ADCs, 24/192 AKM DACs, Burr Brown OP amps, digitally-controlled analog volume, and discrete power supplies. Would make a great digital front end. Weighs more than some receivers, and despite some new feature shortcomings, still has features that even some TOTL stuff doesnt do like send digital sources to zone 2 and zone 3, and the ability to have two completely different speaker profiles assigned to any input. As well as capability to have digital, analog with processing, or fully analog bypass assigned to each input.

Has optical and coaxial digital inputs, even an AES/EBU digital input. I think there is even one or two balanced analog inputs. Has both unbalanced and balanced/XLR outputs.

These were MSRP like $3000-$3200, selling now for $300-400.
 
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I'm using a Denon AVR-2801 from early 2000s and very happy with it. You do need a TV or video monitor (non HDMI) to plug in to configure it.
 
MacNoob said:
I'm using a Denon AVR-2801 from early 2000s and very happy with it. You do need a TV or video monitor (non HDMI) to plug in to configure it.
Click to expand...
I hear ya. I'm rockin' a 2802 and find no great urge to replace it. It's nice to find another who isn't a slave to fashion. ;)
 
Yup, if you don't need the extra convenience of wiring everything through the receiver with HDMI, a pre-HDMI AVR has to be the biggest bargain in audio - the last three of them that passed through here, I got for *free*. People give them away because they replace them with HDMI capable units.

(ignore the TT on top of the Rcvr, it was a temporary setup)

y3mDBaB6hY6zPl1SJnpu3R0oCQJpYmseQWJfX_CEDd4JX3a-0lVeYid7aGedeczdjaQRjIn7ERCuoMDI46fX77Auh4w-0aMS7Zrxz2yQDzD-rsAmqJjBQ7nyi0OTwgGORxfiPcOu5XqT4rNXXQUkPvmYf0pmLtq2wKBSz4xIVmZd94
 
hnash53 said:
I'm leaning toward digital audio more and more... but I don't want to get a "full-fledged" home theater receiver with a bazillion channels/choices/formats/menus.

So... are the older "AV" receivers a bit simpler than today's 5.1/7.1/9.1/11/1/ad infinitum HT units? It seems that the older ones don't have the "setup mic" and all that jazz.

I have the Chromecast Audio device that has an optical OUT. Since I stream all my music, I'm looking to get as good sound quality that I can, and some of the AV receivers come with optical inputs.

I also have the Chromecast Video device that has an HDMI OUT. I'm thinking I can plug that into my TV, and then send the digital audio OUT through the optical OUT on my TV to a receiver with optical input.

I just don't need... or want... all the channels, all the surround sound formats, all the Halls, etc etc etc.

So, how does this sound? Are there any particular older AV units that were known for their audio quality and ease of setup?

Thanks for your input... pun intended!!
Click to expand...
I have an almost identical situation with my secondary sound system, and I found a great solution in the Onkyo A-9010 amplifier. It's stereo-only - no extraneous channels or operational BS. It has a built-in DAC with coax and optical inputs, and it uses a very nice Wolfson DAC. I stream music from my computer to my Roku box via the Plex app - but just like your Chromecast, I go from the Roku's HDMI output, into the TV's HDMI input, then out from the TV's optical output, into the A-9010's optical input. So the signal stays all digital and unmolested until it hits the A-9010's DAC.

It's a great solution, the A-9010 is a very decent-sounding amp, and it can be had for $300 or less.
 
Due to a recurring bout of poverty, I find myself using my trusty old Pioneer Elite VSX55TXi (41 pounds, 7.1 channel, pre-HDMI) for stereo duty...and liking it. You can really get spoiled by all the niceties and cool bells and whistles of a nice AVR. And as long as you have audio outs for your main L & R channels, the sky's the limit as far as an upgrade path. Used as a pre/pro, especially in a digital-centric system, I see little potential down-side. And speaking of getting spoiled, things like a remote digital volume control, auto Eq, remote tone and balance, etc., are just plain nice to have, even for stereo music listening. I don't know why more 2-channel gear doesn't incorporate some of these features.
 
whoaru99 said:
Dunno what the budget is, but I have an Anthem AVM 20 pre/pro that is largely outdated from an HT perspective (no HDMI, no room correction, no ATMOS). Yet, it is chock full of good bits of DACs and OP amps and five discrete power supplies. Would make a great digital front end. Weighs more than some receivers, and despite some new feature shortcomings, still has features that even some TOTL stuff doesnt do like send digital sources to zone 2 and zone 3, and the ability to have two completely different speaker profiles assigned to any input. As well as capability to have digital, analog with processing, or fully analog bypass assigned to each input.

Has optical and coaxial digital inputs, even an AES/EBU digital input. I think there is even one or two balanced analog inputs. Has both unbalanced and balanced/XLR outputs.

These were MSRP like $3000-$3200, selling now for $300-400.
Click to expand...

+2 I have a B&K Reference 50 and a Reference 30 preamp. Both were close to 3K (AND you still needed another 1500 bucks worth of amplification) when new and B&K paid close attention to keeping 2-channel music reproduction in the "audiophile" stratosphere. Both of these are on ebay for cheap. Ditto for the 5 or 7 channel amps from Anthem, ATI or Outlaw from the mid 90s. Or you can get only two channels of amplification and set them to "stereo". B&K also has "direct' which bypasses any electronic tomfoolery if you want pure 2 channel audio austerity. :)
 
I am using my 16 year old Onkyo AVR for stereo and DD 3.1 (with a center speaker, footprint remains same as stereo). The main benefit other than the 4 digital (2 optical + 2 coax) inputs of the better older AVR's is that with movies, the DD 3.1 or 3.0 (with a proper center speaker) not only puts the dialog where it should be, but makes it much easier to control and understand. As far as SQ goes, The older Onkyo (and some other brands too) AVR's amps sections will knock your socks off for both music and video, especially when using a sub, which thanks to bass management gets the most from bookshelf speakers (bass is diverted from them). And then there's the remote, a must for me, as is the FM tuner.

Onkyo and NAD are two brands I trust from back then. Look locally and check the reviews. There are many other good older AVR's for cheap.
 
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There are a bunch of old 5.1s that sound great and they have optical inputs. Marantz has some very nice old ones that are pretty cheap but once you get them dialed in they sound great.

If your using old AVRs in stereo be sure to turn off the sub if your not using one and set the outputs to Big/Large speaker mode.
You might have to futz with them a little to turn off all the DSP crap but once you get them dialed in the good ones will surprise you. :thumbsup:
 
tcdriver said:
If you like your current receiver, a better option would be a digital to audio converter (DAC). The DAC connects between your optical or coaxial output and the audio level inputs on your current receiver.
Click to expand...

I need just a bit more info on what you proposed. The Chromecast Audio has a DAC in it. Your proposal as stated indicates that in some way, the Chromecast Audio DAC can be bypassed and the other DAC in its place. Is that the case, and how does the CCA DAC get bypassed?
 
tmtomh said:
I have an almost identical situation with my secondary sound system, and I found a great solution in the Onkyo A-9010 amplifier. It's stereo-only - no extraneous channels or operational BS. It has a built-in DAC with coax and optical inputs, and it uses a very nice Wolfson DAC. I stream music from my computer to my Roku box via the Plex app - but just like your Chromecast, I go from the Roku's HDMI output, into the TV's HDMI input, then out from the TV's optical output, into the A-9010's optical input. So the signal stays all digital and unmolested until it hits the A-9010's DAC.

It's a great solution, the A-9010 is a very decent-sounding amp, and it can be had for $300 or less.
Click to expand...

The Onkyo was one I've been looking at... definitely worth considering.
 
hnash53 said:
I need just a bit more info on what you proposed. The Chromecast Audio has a DAC in it. Your proposal as stated indicates that in some way, the Chromecast Audio DAC can be bypassed and the other DAC in its place. Is that the case, and how does the CCA DAC get bypassed?
Click to expand...

If you have Chromecast audio (not the original Chromecast) it should have an analog audio output. Just buy a splitter to go from mini headphone to L & R rca and plug them into your stereo.
 
charles 1973 said:
If you have Chromecast audio (not the original Chromecast) it should have an analog audio output. Just buy a splitter to go from mini headphone to L & R rca and plug them into your stereo.
Click to expand...

I'm already streaming through the analog part of the CCA. I'm wanting to move to streaming through the digital part of the CCA.
 
I'll recommend the Sony STR-DA5ES. Sony's flagship receiver the year it came out and 52lbs of build quality
DA5ES-M.jpg
. Nice power although I'd recommend sticking with 8-ohm speakers when using internal power. True pre-amp outs, multiple digital inputs (co-ax & optical), a really good sounding phono section, a remote control that can control anything the receiver can do and a detachable power cord if you're into upgrading those sorts of things. I use mine as a stereo preamp and don't bother with any digital sound fields at all.
 
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