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Best 5.1 ONLY receiver every made?

Hi everyone!

I am curious to get your opinions about what the best used 5.1 receiver is. I had a 7.1 one setup about four years ago, but eventually left surround sound for a stereo setup. Now that I have space for both I am considering venturing back into surround sound.

So my question is... who made the biggest, baddest, and best sounding 5.1 receiver in the past that would now be a great buy on the used market? I see some of the new flagship receivers from Yamaha and Denon are pretty monstrous, did they have 5.1 counterparts back in the day?

Thanks for your thoughts,

JML
jmleonard400
srwooten's avatar
srwooten
694 posts
 
BTW- By "Better opinions" I mean "more opinions". I certainly meant no disrespect to KAL who knows "Mucho mucho!"
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Beasts like the original Denon 5000 were great. However, KAL is correct. Missing things like DPL II, 24/96 and much more makes a huge difference. The last of the 5.1's that I'd consider would be an Anthem AVM-2 or perhaps a Sunfire. Who cares if a unit is 7.1, you don't have to use all of the channels.
As a 2 channel rig, an older Denon or B&K can be awesome.
shinytoys
41 posts
 
DENON DENON DENON!!!!!!!
loomisjohnson
1,906 posts
 
i currently have a couple of high-end denon avrs (4803 and 3300). i hate 'em both--wimpy and "digital" sounding. in general, b&k and arcam were the best of the 5.1 breed--several notches above the mass market asian branded gear.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Best to split, and get a pre-pro that you feed to separate amps, two, three or five at a time. Interga 9.9 is the real killer for sound quality and value.
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