What HT processor HDMI 2.1, and does that matter?


I'm currently using a Marantz AV7702 and when I got a PS5, which I use to stream netflix, amazon, etc., and I'll also get some 4k discs for a select few movies I really love, I had that issue with the video cutting out you may have heard about. I had to use the HDMI cable the PS5 came with, which is HDMI 2.1 certified, and the problem went away, even though neither the Marantz nor my TV has HDMI 2.1 inputs. I've been lusting after an Anthem AVM60 for a while b/c I think that will be better HT sound than the Marantz, but it also doesn't have HDMI 2.1, and neither does the current AVM70 as far as I know. Does this matter? Are there processors out there that sound good that do have HDMI 2.1? Alternatively, I was thinking of getting a TV that does have HDMI 2.1, putting the sources directly into it, and using the ARC (audio return channel) into the HT processor, but I wonder, does that significantly reduce the sound quality? I am skeptical of a TV's ARC in terms of audio but I have no experience with it. Has anyone experimented with setting it up that way and how does it sound? Thanks. 
dbw1

Showing 4 responses by dbw1

What HDMI cable would you recommend? Also, to maximize audio and video quality, do you recommend plugging sources into the HT processor and then running another HDMI cable to the tv, or running sources directly into the TV and using the ARC to the HT processor? Thanks again.
Thank you for the info. Seems like the ARC could be a reasonable option. The new Anthem AVM70 is out of my price range. Are there other HT processors out there that have HDMI 2.1 that I could get for under 2k or so (new or used)?
That's interesting. You know much more about this than me. I'm curious, if the cables aren't actually different from 2.0 to 2.1, how come the picture keeps going out from the PS5 unless I'm using a 2.1 cable? I've read online that this happens frequently and the problem goes away with a 2.1 cable, as it did for me. I'm assuming the 2.1 cable that came with the PS5 is not a great HDMI cable in terms of audio and video quality but maybe I'm wrong. 
Thank you as always. $100 is about as much as I would want to pay for a cable that is connecting a PS5 or a Fios box to my HT processor. I will be sure to get a 1.5 meter or 2 meter cable instead of a 1 meter. I might try that Neotech cable and just see if it works, but if I did want a cable that was certified HDMI 2.1, do you have any recommendations?