Newbie looking for new receiver....been doing my research but help please?

[lithnights]

I'm a bit of a newbie, looking for a new receiver for the open area in my soon to be finished basement. I've read the "10 Things to Consider.." thread, and countless other threads, so I've learned a lot but still have some questions. My info and requirements are at the bottom of my post.

1. What are some receivers you would suggest for my situation? Looking at Yamaha A2A (have to pre-order but not sure if it will have the 2.1 issue?), Denon 960H, Denon 2700H, Denon 4500H (maybe overkill for me but heavily discounted on one major site but only has HDMI 2.0), Yamaha 1080 (but only has HDMI 2.0) and am open to all ideas.

2. Should I worry about needing HDMI 2.1 since I'm not a true gamer and we may not even have a PS5 or similar system hooked up for a couple years? Should I look for an older model without 2.1 or get the 2.1 knowing it won't work as expected? I hate to buy a receiver without the latest technology and hate to buy new technology that doesn't work, but I simply can't wait due to I need something down within 2 months.

3. If I want to send a duplicate signal to a 2nd TV in that basement, can I simply use a HDMI splitter or do I need to get a receiver with 2 HDMI outputs?

Sorry for all the info but I figured it'd be better to have too much info than not enough.

Thank you in advance,



REQUIREMENTS:

• It would be a 5.1.2 setup. It's just a basement open space so don't foresee ever getting more speakers than the planned 7.
• 80% TV/movie watching, 20% music
• Source inputs would be FIOS cable box, Blu Ray, CD player, gaming system (maybe xBox now, likely Playstation 5 at some point), Sonos Port
• Budget would ideally be $1,500 or under. I'd be willing to spend more IF it's money well spent. I'm just not sure a more expensive receiver would be needed based on my requirements, but I'm not sure. i.e. I'm willing to pay for more power but simply don't need extra zones, extra speaker outs etc.
• I have purchased Klipsch RP5000 for fronts and RP600 as center. Likely getting Klipsch DS160C for 2 Atmos and 2 surrounds. TV will be LG OLED C9 77".
• I want to be able to watch the FIOS cable signal or maybe blu ray signal on a 2nd TV in the basement bar area at the same time as the main TV. I'm not sure if I definitely need a 2nd HDMI Out or if I could simply use a HDMI splitter. I'm assuming the latter.
• I am open to different brands. I have a Yamaha 1050 in my living room, so was thinking it'd be nice to stay in brand but am also looking at Denon.
• I have concerns about the recent HDMI 2.1 chipset issue. I'd prefer to wait to get it sorted out but the basement will be built/finished in a couple months and I'd like to enjoy it on day 1. I'm wondering if I truly need the 2.1.

 

[lithnights]

I guess my initial post was too convoluted? I figured more info was better than less but perhaps I put in too much? Anyone want to jump in and help me out?
Also, attaching a layout and a 3D visual of the soon to be area.
Thanks!

 

[dante01]

The A2 will more than likely suffer the same HDMI 2.1 issue associated with the new Denon and Marantz models. Be aware that the new Yamaha models probably wont even be updated to give them the additional abilities asspciated with HDMI version 2.1 until spring next year. Yamaha suggesting that the 4K/120 issue will be addressed by a firmware update is rather presumptious of them. They've no actual idea as to whether or not this issue can be resolved using a software update.

Why are you looking at the A2 and not the V6? They are effectively the same AV receiver. The A2 does include a fifth foot (wedge), a removable power cord and apparently uses higher quality capacitors, but whether this actually makes any audible difference to it performance is debatable?

It should be noted that the Ps5 doesn't appear to suffer the same ussues as the XBox if using one of the new AV receivers to passthrough 4K/120. This is suggested to be because the PS5 uses compressed 4K/120 as opposed to the uncompressed signal you'd get from the XBox.

You'd be better off with an AV receiver with second HDMI zone capabilities if wanting to convey an HDMI signal to a second room. The V6 and A2 don't even have an additional morrored HDMI output, let alone a second HDMI zone output. The Denon AVRX3700 or the Marantz SR6015 would better cater to your need for an additional HDMI zone.

 

[gibbsy]

Big difference between the Denon 960 and the 4500. Not having HDMI 2.1 is not really a problem with easy workarounds with taking the game consul direct to your TV and playing back the audio via ARC or eARC. The 4500 with AL32 processing is a very good amp and is certainly well worth considering.

I take it you mean the Sony 1080 and not Yamaha. I would not even consider the Sony.

 

[lithnights]

Big difference between the Denon 960 and the 4500. Not having HDMI 2.1 is not really a problem with easy workarounds with taking the game consul direct to your TV and playing back the audio via ARC or eARC. The 4500 with AL32 processing is a very good amp and is certainly well worth considering.

I take it you mean the Sony 1080 and not Yamaha. I would not even consider the Sony.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm now leaning towards just not even worrying about getting something with 2.1. And when I say 1080, I am talking about the Yamaha Yamaha RX-A1080

When you say big difference between 960 and 4500, are you talking in terms of power, features, other? Just curious.

With all that said, what is your opinion on the Yamaha RX-A-1080 vs the Denon 4500? They seem to have similar specs, and price point?

 

[lithnights]

The A2 will more than likely suffer the same HDMI 2.1 issue associated with the new Denon and Marantz models. Be aware that the new Yamaha models probably wont even be updated to give them the additional abilities asspciated with HDMI version 2.1 until spring next year. Yamaha suggesting that the 4K/120 issue will be addressed by a firmware update is rather presumptious of them. They've no actual idea as to whether or not this issue can be resolved using a software update.

Why are you looking at the A2 and not the V6? They are effectively the same AV receiver. The A2 does include a fifth foot (wedge), a removable power cord and apparently uses higher quality capacitors, but whether this actually makes any audible difference to it performance is debatable?

It should be noted that the Ps5 doesn't appear to suffer the same ussues as the XBox if using one of the new AV receivers to passthrough 4K/120. This is suggested to be because the PS5 uses compressed 4K/120 as opposed to the uncompressed signal you'd get from the XBox.

You'd be better off with an AV receiver with second HDMI zone capabilities if wanting to convey an HDMI signal to a second room. The V6 and A2 don't even have an additional morrored HDMI output, let alone a second HDMI zone output. The Denon AVRX3700 or the Marantz SR6015 would better cater to your need for an additional HDMI zone.

Thanks for the reply. I was unaware of the V6 but am looking at it now. I am leaning towards not even worrying about the 2.1 issue for now, since I'm not a true gamer and there seems to be a "workaround".

I appreciate what you are saying about the 2nd HDMI out. The Yamaha RX-A1080 that I have been looking at does have multiple HDMI outs so I'd be covered with that unit. Would you agree that would be a good choice?https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx-a1080_u/index.html

 

[dante01]

The A1080 is a good AVR, but you pay extra for the build associated with Yamaha models. You can for instance get a Denon 9 channel model for about the same price. I'm a bit of a Yamaha fan, but even I look at what else is on offer at that price point and wonder if it may be better to go in another direction? If you are sure that you'll only ever want 7 channels and if you are willing to suffer the inadequacies of YPAO and PEQ then yes, I cannot think of another reason not to consider the A1080. You could pick up a DEnon ARRX4500 or even a Marantz SR7013 for sililar money.

 

[gibbsy]

The Yamaha is a good performer. More akin to the Denon X4500 as opposed to the X960. In the UK when first released the X4500 was three times the cost of the X960. It is better spec'd with better components and more headroom. It also has the superior AL32 processor onboard.

The only thing that the X960 beats the X4500 on is the new formats of virtual Dolby and 8K capabilities but audio wise it doesn't come close. My choice would now be between the X4500 and the Yamaha.

 

[lithnights]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and advice on this.