2. home-theater
  3. 181212-178689

Reliable Mid-Priced 7.2 Channel Receiver

We're near move-in to a new home, sold the ancient Onkyo 5.1 receiver and am looking at 7.2 channel new options.  I was looking at the Denon S960H, generally seems good power and currently down to $599, plus $50 coupon.

The bad news...reading reviews.  I look at the 1 & 2-stars (of 5) reviews on Amazon and Best Buy and it gets scary...lots of issues.  So I looked at Yamaha (next) and Sony and Pioneer in that price range.   Almost all have numerous, serious complaints, some also poor customer support.

This will be used in the main room with 75" tv (streaming), Blu-Ray and old CD player.  I would love to use it as the source selector (is that ARC?) but if an issue I would usually use just the TV sound, and if source selection became an issue, just send the sound to the receiver via optical and turn on the receiver sound / source manually as I did with the old Onkyo.

So, I am most interested in how to select a reliable 7.2 receiver in my price range.  Perhaps best to order with a place with good return policy, like Best Buy, versus some random Amazon provider?

All input is most appreciated.

Paul

peahrens

Showing 2 responses by christian

christian's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
christian
78 posts
 

Also a fan of Denon.  But for that matter, would not discount any of the other brands (Sony, Yamaha, Pioneer...) based on reviews you see on websites.

The totality reviews on BB's website of the S960H shouldn't give cause for alarm.  4.5 of 5 rating off of 605 total reviews?  If you look at the distribution, 445 of those reviews are rated five; you could probably consider the 1's (and possibly 2's) as outliers and completely disregard them.  I'm sure Denon's receiver (and the competitors mentioned) would perform just fine.

Also, I echo @elliottbnewcombjr thoughts on the speakers: definitely start auditioning now for a full setup, minimum 5.1.  While not electronics, and buying used is a viable proposition - speakers are the more subjective (but arguably the most fun) choice in setting up a new HT system.

christian's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
christian
78 posts
 

denons typically do NOT have front pre-out

Yamaha's typically DO have front pre-out.

Always check the back panel, pre-out

Hmmmm... this had me scratching my head, thinking it was untrue.  But it is indeed the case - interesting; learned something today:

You get Front Pre-Outs on the Yamahas at a much cheaper price point.  Same with the Multi Pre-Outs at $50 difference (don't really count the X4700H as it's discounted due to phase out).

Denon AVR-X4700H $1500 Multi Pre-Out ($600 Discount, model phasing out)
Denon AVR-X3800H $1700 Multi Pre-Out

Yamaha RX-V6A $850 Front Pre-Out
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A2A $1150 Front Pre-Out
Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A4A $1650 Multi Pre-Out

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