Question AV Receiver without Dolby Atmos or Dtsx.

[killie77]

Hi
I guess this has been asked before. I'm looking for a receiver which was made just before Atmos & Dtsx.
I've always used a 5.1 system and I'm happy with that. So I'm looking for something from Yamaha Sony Denon or anything else which might still be available. New or second hand.
Thanks
Ian

 

[Joe Fernand]

'Knock yourself out' - Receiver & Amplifier Classifieds

Joe

 

[killie77]

Thanks Joe
Been through the classifieds. Was asking for advice on which to go for.
Ian

 

[Joe Fernand]

Some guidelines on what you need it to be able to do rather than what it shouldn't do would be handy - there has been an awful lot of AVR's produced which do not include Immersive audio processing.

Number of Inputs?

What Sources you plan to use?

Which Display device?

Single or Dual Zone?

Networked?

What Speakers you are likely to be using?

Control preferences?

Budget?

Is warranty an issue?

Joe

 

[Rambles]

If you do get an AVR which is Atmos / DTS:X enabled, you can still run it in 5.1 mode and just not use the immersiva audio processing.

 

[killie77]

Thanks again
Have a set of kef 300s and a kef cube sub.
Only looking for zone one
Networked in Airplay Bluetooth Etherley connection
Sources. firestick xbox chromecast hp mini pc Sony TV.
About 6 hdmi required
Warranty not a problem as I usually buy second hand
Budget around 450.

 

[killie77]

If you do get an AVR which is Atmos / DTS:X enabled, you can still run it in 5.1 mode and just not use the immersiva audio processing.

Thanks
I have a Yamaha 1050 I bought off the Forums. I've never used the Atmos or Dtsx.
To be honest I'm really looking to go backwards and find something a bit simpler with less bells and whistles

 

[Rambles]

The Yamaha 1050 is not a bad AVR, it would be a shame to go backwards and get worse sound quality, but if you're not happy with it, maybe a different brand would suit you.

Where you say that you have a set of Kef 300s and a Kef sub, are you running 5 x Kef Q300's, in a 5.1 set-up, or are you running two of them in stereo with a sub, so in a 2.1 set-up?

 

[killie77]

Hi
Running the kef's in 5.1.
I like the Yamaha but I've been looking at an older Pioneer think its the 75 model. Don't really know why i want to change ? Guess it's the upgrading bug. But going backwards instead of forward.
Ian

 

[Rambles]

Okay, fair enough!

If you are looking at comparing like for like in different brands of AVR's to try and make sure that if you go backwards in features, you don't go backwards in sound quality. Then your current AVR equivalent is the Yamaha RXA-1070 which retails at £999. Another common specification that you can use for comparison is this one from your current AVR:

Rated Output Power (20Hz-20kHz, 2ch driven): 110 W (8 ohms, 0.06% THD)

That obviously doesn't give you the full story, but if you get a replacement AVR that has that power output or better, it can be used as a bit of a benchmark for comparison purposes.

Pioneer have made a few models with 75 in the model number, it is probably equivalent(ish) to their current Pioneer SCLX701 which is retailing at £799, and its power output is around 120 watts in 2ch mode, so a little more than your Yamaha. Pioneer are currently using Class D amplification in their AVR's, that is quite unique, most if not all other brands, use Class AB.

 

[Joe Fernand]

'Don't really know why i want to change ?' - then don't do it

'Guess it's the upgrading bug' - not seeing an upgrade with the current plan.

Going 'back' a generation with HDMI can be problematic - as we move towards everything going UHD with HDCP 2.2 it can become a big limitation.

Unless you can get kit at home for a Demo in your system it can be very hit and miss swapping kit in and out of your system - having Immersive Audio support (or not) does not guarantee you will like how an AVR sounds. I doubt many folk use the majority of the 'features' just about any AVR offers.

Is there something about your system you would like to improve upon?

Joe

 

[Khazul]

The most basic AVR models from Yamaha, Denon and Marantz etc may well suit particularly if its only a 5 channel. 7 channel AVRs will probably have it least basic 5.1.2 Atmos support.

From Yamaha - perhaps RX-V381 or 481 from 2016 models, or 383 and 483 from 2017 models. Differences between 38x and 48x is basically whether they support internet music streaming, airplay etc services or not. Not sure about specific models from others.

 

[killie77]

Thanks for all the replies
Guess I'm just looking to change the furniture around
I hear what people are saying about the future upgrades 4k HDMI 2.2 etc.
I really don't feel that any of those are that important to me. My Tv isn't 4k I've only had it a couple of years and happy enough with it. Not sure where to go from here have an eye on a Pioneer AV older model with THX2 etc. The only thing is I would probably change within a year or earlier.
Not really sure what to do. But really appreciate all the advice.
Ian

 

[Derek S-H]

Ian - if you don't like the sound of your system, then changing the receiver won't make that much difference, it's the speakers which decide the overall sound more than anything else.

And certainly, whether it's just 5.1 capable or can support more channels than that won't really make that much difference to sound quality either.

That's not to say that there aren't differences between receivers - I had a Yamaha 2010 and changed to a Marantz 7011 and the improvement is tangible - but maybe it's because the synergy between receivers and speakers is key?

You don't say in any of your posts what sound it is you're looking for? And have you set up your existing receiver properly?

 

[killie77]

Hi
Ill be honest I don't listen to the Yamaha that much.It's usually for Netflix or Amazon. I tend to keep the sound low as I have neighbours up stairs. I have a Sonos 5 that i use for streaming. And also a couple of Dap's i use with in ear's. I guess really i don't use the Yamaha to it's full capacity.I guess i'm looking for something smaller maybe along the lines of the slim line maranta receivers. Which i don't think have Atmos and DTSx.I also have a problem with the shape of the room the TV has to be in a corner right next to the entrance to the kitchen, which doesn't leave room for larger speakers or even stands.so 2 of the kefs have to sit behind the TV not ideal but As i don't really listen in stereo its acceptable

 

[Joe Fernand]

Upgrade - the Room/Room Layout is what needs sorting. A corner mounted TV/focal point of the system is never going to work well with 5.1, I prefer to simplify down to 2.0 or 2.1.

Joe

 

[killie77]

Hi Joe
Ive had a couple of Sound Bars. With hindsight i should probably have stuck with the Yamaha one that I had. We live in whats called a 4 in a block here in Glasgow. so i have someone above and to the side and above the other side. These houses are quite old 1930s i would guess. Thing is their built to the same design.So you either put the TV above the fire place or in a corner.The living room is about 4 feet longer than it is wide. Makes it tricky to position stuff
The Wife won't have the TV on the wall so its the Corner it has to go. I guess the room is to small for even a 5.1 system. Which is probably why i'm always changing stuff around. Any recommendations for a 2.1 system ?
Thanks
Ian

 

[Joe Fernand]

In the corner is usually the better option as over the fire is too high for comfortable viewing.

Try using your current kit in a Temp 2.0 or 2.1 setup and experiment with Front LR placement to find where they should be going.

Once you know the ideal layout you can look at Speaker/Placement options.

Joe

PS Born in Scotstoun, grew up in Westerton (Bearsden)

 

[killie77]

Not to far away. Mostly stayed in Knightswood.
But were down in Yoker now.

 

[swampydude]

How about new about 700 2nd hand cheaper still
Arcam Solo Movie 5.1 review

 

[killie77]

Thanks
Looks interesting. Will have a read up on the Arcam
Ian

 

[Joe Fernand]

Speaker Placement and Choice of speakers is the key problem - the Solo Movie is a great performer, it cannot make up for poor speaker positioning.

Joe

 

[killie77]

Thanks Joe
It looks like i may have sold my Yamaha. So i'll be looking for something soon.
My speakers are basically Kef satellites. Their ok. But if i go for a sound-bar i will sell them on.
Thanks again
Joe

 

[Jules]

The flagship AV amps from 10 years ago were absolute beasts and way better built than any of todays offerings.

From an audio and build quality perspective you'd be getting a serious bargain if you could track down something like a Denon AVC-A1HDA.

But if you don't need masses of power, and have a modest budget, you'd be better served with something more modern at the right price and just ignore the features you don't need.

HDMI compatibility is crucial these days, and manufacturers have got amazingly good at building AVRs to a low price that still sound very very good.

 

[Khazul]

The Wife won't have the TV on the wall so its the Corner it has to go.

I've seen that problem fixed a few times with a canvas-art roller blind over the TV