Multimedia in every home: TOP 5 popular AV receivers
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Choosing an AV receiver is difficult, primarily because there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Below we will try to briefly explain what you should pay attention to when choosing an AV receiver, and also recommend 5 especially successful models, in our opinion.
What to look for when choosing an AV receiver
If sound quality is a somewhat subjective thing, then when choosing a modern AV receiver, you should pay attention to support for current video formats (HDR) and multi-channel audio (Dolby Atmos/DTS:X). It is not very pleasant when the receiver cannot play a disc with a movie just bought in a store. Unless, of course, we are talking about an entry-level receiver in which some features were sacrificed for the price tag.
Many modern receivers have fully automatic sound tuning capabilities, while others have flexible manual settings. When buying a receiver, consider your own qualifications. If you are a professional sound engineer, or one of your closest friends, then it is likely that you can stop at manual tuning. In other cases, it is better to trust the functions of automatic tuning (see the article "Can automatic sound tuning be able to replace an experienced specialist?").
Models with 9 and 11-channel amplification are also widely represented on the market, however, the use of such systems causes a lot of controversy, since additional channels only duplicate those already existing in 5.1 or 7.1 schemes. Much more important may be the ability to integrate with mobile devices / PC for remote control of the receiver and wireless signal transmission.
In this table, you can compare the technical specifications of all AV receivers from the review. This link contains a complete catalog of modern AV receivers.
The Pioneer VSX-531 is that rare case when you don't have to pay exorbitant prices for a quality receiver. With a power reserve of 130 watts per channel and a simple auto sound correction system, it will appeal to those people who would like to simply insert batteries into the remote control, connect the player to the receiver and be transported to the world of cinema.
The unpretentiousness of the VSX-531 is manifested in the functionality and options for connecting the receiver. For example, it does not support Dolby Atmos multi-channel audio. Instead, the VSX-531 offers a basic set of Bluetooth, AM/FM radio and several physical connectors: 4 HDMI, USB port, optical input, coaxial S/P-DIF, 3 RCA for connecting an external CD/DVD player, and a separate 3.5 headphone output. Unfortunately, there is no Wi-Fi, but a priori it cannot be found in a receiver with such a price tag.
The second advantage of the Pioneer VSX-531 is its sonic flexibility. Heavy and multi-layered scenes sound large and booming, quiet scenes pleasantly surprise with attention to detail. And it holds focus very well and doesn't smear details during sudden changes in dynamics, as many entry-level receivers do. You don't have to look at the screen to figure out who's shooting at whom in Bad Boys, or where the dragon came from in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
This same purity and insight is evident in the case of music. Moreover, we are talking not only about high-quality audio, but also streams compressed up to 192 from Apple Music and SoundCloud. So if audio quality is more important to you than support for features like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, then the Pioneer VSX-531 is a worthy buy for the money.
The front side of the AVR-X1400H looks like a top manager's business suit — expensive, strict and outwardly simple. On the front panel, there are a minimum of buttons and two massive knobs for switching the volume and source signal. Between them is a large LCD display, HDMI, USB ports, a headphone output and a 3.5 audio output for connecting a calibration microphone.
The basis of the AVR-X1400H is a seven-channel path with a power of 80 W per channel. Compared to previous Denon models, the X1400H features a more modern Asahi Kasei 4490EQ DAC, which provides higher conversion accuracy and extended dynamic range. The sound of this receiver is legible and balanced, with careful attention to detail and panorama. Although, in the case of heavy music and tense scenes in which 25 transformers beat each other, the sound lacks pressure.
In cases where something does not sound right, changing sound profiles in Audyssey MultEQ comes to the rescue. He also plays the role of a frequency balance corrector for the room and pleasantly surprises with quickness. Usually, for more or less fine tuning, it is enough for him to catch 3-4 positions of the microphone, it is not necessary to carry it around the room. The setup wizard itself is made accessible and understandable, even a child will understand.
The equipment of the 1400 is modest and no frills: 5 rear HDMI inputs and one output. Plus an Ethernet port, 2 optical inputs, 2 composite inputs, 2 pairs of RCAs and one coaxial S/P-DIF. In terms of functional support, the AVR-X1400H will be relevant for more than one more year, as it supports both multi-channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and video in 4K and HDR.
Interestingly, the USB port catches audio not only from a flash drive or external hard drive, but also directly from a smartphone or player. Both MP3/WMA and WAV/FLAC are recognized with sampling rates up to 192 kHz. For compressed MP3s, there is a Restore function that restores data lost during compression. Bluetooth supported.
Since the introduction of AV receivers, the Denon and Yamaha brands have taken a special place in consumer ratings. The Yamaha RX-V483 is a perfect example of the manufacturer's ability to find a compromise between functionality, price and excellent sound quality.
The V483 is a 5 channel receiver with 80 watts per channel headroom. Considering that releases with 7.1 tracks, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are not so common, gain channels are exactly what you can save on. If this is the one you need among all the multichannel audio formats, then it would be better to pay attention to the Denon AVR-X1400H.
Connectivity includes a rather stingy four HDMI inputs (plus one output) with support for 4K, HDR and HLG. In addition to HDMI, on the back of the receiver you can find a pair of digital coaxial inputs, one optical port. As you can see, the set is not the richest, but it's not to say that something vital has been forgotten here.
If you respect the "plug it in and forget it" approach, then you'll love the RX-V483. His YPAO speaker auto-tuning system seemed to us one of the simplest and fastest on the market. More convenient than Denon's Audyssey, but slightly less accurate.
Usually, inexpensive receivers are born in many compromises, but the RX-V483 stands out from the crowd. The sound is remembered for its scale and impressive dynamics, with high-quality spatial localization and the ability to focus on subtle details. Most of all, the ability of this receiver to pull out the maximum volume, without lubricating the sound into mush, caught my eye.
In addition to the built-in Bluetooth adapter, the Yamaha RX–V483 can be connected to your home network via Wi-Fi or directly via an Ethernet cable. Yamaha's proprietary MusicCast technology will allow you to create a wireless multi-room system based on the Yamaha RX-V483, control all the acoustics in the house using your smartphone and listen to music from streaming services like Spotify and Deezer.
Onkyo TX-NR575 is a classic example of a successful AV receiver with wide functionality, memorable appearance, adequate price tag and high sound quality. The receiver's sonic prowess was born from the combination of Onkyo's signature 384kHz DAC and a comprehensive DAA dynamic amplification system, which work together to refine the output signal and eliminate D/A noise.
Thanks to them, the sound is not only detailed and transparent, but also very dense, with a rich timbre colour. The TX-NR575 handles Infinity War's multi-channel track with equal ease as it handles Kendrick Lamar's latest album. He's especially great at bringing recompressed audio from Spotify and Soundcloud to life.
In terms of communication, the TX-NR575 offers a fairly standard gentlemen's package that is enough for the average buyer and does not weigh down the price tag with new and not yet tested technologies. 4 HDMI inputs handle the latest video standards: 4K, HDR for video plus Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for multi-channel audio. In addition to HDMI, on the back of the receiver you can find a pair of composite video inputs, six analogue inputs, three digital inputs (two optical and one coaxial S / P-DIF), as well as the most common USB port.
But when it comes to wireless technology, the Onkyo TX-NR575 starts to flex its muscles. In addition to support for Chromecast, Spotify and AirPlay, which is more or less familiar for this price, the receiver is friends with Play-Fi and BlackFire FireConnect. The first allows you to combine acoustics of different brands into a wireless multi-room and control it from an application on your smartphone. The second works in a similar way, but only with Onkyo acoustics. If all this is not necessary, then the receiver can be connected to the sound source in the old fashioned way via Bluetooth.
A receiver that handles both music and multi-channel movie sound with equal ease is a beast that is not endangered, but rather rare. Marantz SR5012 is from this breed.
The SR5012 is a seven-channel model with 100 watts per channel. A separate DAC, AK4458VN, is responsible for signal processing on each channel. Thanks to proprietary HDAM dynamic amplifiers, which Marantz managed to eat the dog, this receiver works with the audio signal like a skilled jeweler. Music sounds open and natural, and multi-channel sources show excellent dynamics with a wide frequency coverage.
It is doubly pleasant that for the sake of a full-bodied sound one does not have to dance with a tambourine. The SR5012 features an intuitive Audyssey MultiEQ calibration system for adjusting your speaker setup with the receiver, Audyssey Dynamic EQ for adjusting the frequency balance for the room, and a Dynamic Volume compressor. The latter adjusts the volume level so that quiet sounds do not get lost in the overall panorama, and powerful sounds, on the contrary, do not jump out of the speakers. However he “presses” the music in a rather peculiar way, making the recording flat and lifeless.
Hardware SR5012 corresponds to the price tag and will not disappoint demanding customers. The receiver received 8 HDMI inputs with support for video in 4K / 60 Hz, HDR and a very fresh HLG format (a kind of HDR, which is called the future of broadcasts) and an impressive number of digital and analogue inputs and outputs for all occasions. As befits a top-end receiver, the SR5012 is friendly with the popular multi-channel formats Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. So it will not be difficult for him to play any 4K Blu-ray disc.
Owners of projectors will surely like a pair of HDMI outputs, thanks to which both a TV panel and a projector can be connected to the receiver at the same time. In addition, the receiver is equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules with support for AirPlay and streaming from Deezer, Spotify and Tidal. For connoisseurs of multi-room systems, there is HEOS support, which allows you to combine acoustics in different rooms into a single audio system.
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