Contents
- Expert selection
- Top 10 Best AV Receivers of 2022 According to KP
- How to choose an AV receiver
- Popular questions and answers
- Related articles:
The AV receiver is the heart of the home media system, the equipment that can link together all the devices of a modern home: a sound amplifier, TV, media player, game console, computer, smartphone, and even a vinyl player. Modern receivers are equipped with the features necessary for high-quality listening to music.
So if you think that this device for receiving and transmitting sound is purely for professional “sound players”, then you are mistaken. Although techies will definitely appreciate it, but not only they. Audio-video receivers conditionally refer to Hi-Fi technology and are designed to decode a multi-channel digital signal. In fact, this is a multi-channel amplifier that has an extended set of functionality.
A simple example: you have cable TV, and there is no sound or very bad sound, because your TV or home theater “does not see” the scale format or does not play it as it should. The AV receiver easily solves this problem – it copes with any formats. Most AV receivers have Dolby Digital decoders and at least one S/PDIF digital input for connecting digital output sources, as well as the latest DTS decoders.
At the same time, the track is “read” with unsurpassed sound quality. Some receiver models, like an equalizer, can imitate a concert hall or stadium. As well as creating cinematic-quality surround sound, it all depends on the model – budget or premium. Moreover, the premium-class receiver is able to adapt to the surrounding reality and make the perfect sound for a particular room.
Finally, the AV receiver can be used as an audio stream amplifier. Audio and video are transmitted via digital interfaces (for example, HDMI).
AV receivers are also usually equipped with support for HDR video, which gives the picture rich colors, high contrast while maintaining realistic and natural image quality.
Expert selection
For help in choosing AV receivers, Healthy Food Near Me turned to Nikolai Fedenev, a concert and studio sound engineer, production manager at Asia Music. The expert chose the following model as the best one:
Pioneer VSX-LX304
This receiver is said to be an IMAX home cinema. Works great in home theater. The device has most of the features a modern user needs: a 9,2-channel receiver with decent power, 6 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs, which provides excellent physical switching. Plays movies with cinematic quality great. For example, the IMAX Enhanced format delivers powerful, immersive home theater sound. Or Dolby Atmos – virtual surround sound and high-frequency effects.
The receiver supports the Apple AirPlay 2 system, which allows it to play music or podcasts throughout the house. The vast majority of modern sound file formats known today are supported, while the audio quality is not lost, but, on the contrary, is only significantly improved. The fact is that the technology analyzes the acoustic properties of the room using a dedicated microphone and adjusts playback parameters by itself, reducing background noise.
It has the function of listening through wireless headphones. There is a built-in Chromecast technology that allows you to control the receiver from any mobile device. Supports major streaming services such as Deezer, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Spotify.
Main characteristics
| Power Consumption: | 760 W |
| Number of channels: | 9,2 |
| Interfaces: | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth / v4.2 /, LAN, RS-232, Google Assistant |
| Sound modes: | IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, and other audio formats |
| Tuner: | FM/AM bands |
Advantages and disadvantages
Top 10 Best AV Receivers of 2022 According to KP
1. Sony STR-DH790
This receiver model is often chosen in order to synchronize the device with the TV and make the sound of ordinary programs or TV shows better. And in fact, although it is inferior to premium models, it is not by much. Inexperienced amateurs, as a rule, after buying a Sony STR-DH790 AV receiver, stop going to cinemas. So the sound is really good.
Main characteristics
| Number of channels: | 7.2 |
| Power: | 145W (per channel) |
| Features: | HDMI interfaces, 4K signal support, FM radio tuner |
| Signal to noise ratio: | 105 dB |
Advantages and disadvantages
2. Pioneer SC-LX901
Premium AV receiver. This is the only receiver that has 11,2 channels. Sounds home theaters at the highest level. The size of the device is impressive – more than 18 kg, and all because its elements create sound even better than in the cinema. The device realizes the maximum configuration of a multi-channel system without the help of external power amplifiers. And, of course, a big plus is the Dolby Atmos system, which automatically distributes sound sources according to their position specified by the sound engineer.
Main characteristics
| Number of channels: | 11.2 |
| Power: | 280W (per channel) |
| Phono stage: | MM |
| Features: | HDMI interfaces, 4K signal support |
| Functions: | Ethernet network connection, Wi-Fi, AM/FM radio tuner |
| Signal to noise ratio: | 108 dB |
Advantages and disadvantages
3. Denon AVR-X2600H
The receiver has good output power and advanced connectivity. The main advantage of the model is high-quality sound and a full range of modern features for a more than reasonable price. It has a 7.2 configuration, eight HDMI inputs and two outputs. It is possible to transmit a 4K signal with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Another feature of HDMI is eARC technology, which provides an audio return channel with HD and 3D sound. Connection is possible both via Ethernet and Wi-Fi. And also to the “multi-room” system, which allows you to transmit sound from TV to any room in the house. You can use the mobile app to control the AV receiver. Another feature is support for Google Assistant and Apple Siri voice systems.
Main characteristics
| Number of channels: | 7.2 |
| Output power: | 95W per channel (8 ohms), 125W per channel (6 ohms) |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance: | 200 mV/47 kΩ |
| Signal to noise ratio: | 100 dB (Direct) |
| Features: | FM/AM tuner |
| Built-in decoders (main): | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Neural:X, Dolby Digital Plus и др. |
| Features: | Bluetooth, AirPlay, Ethernet, USB on the front panel, mini-jack for calibration microphone. |
Advantages and disadvantages
4.Onkyo TX-RZ820
This is a 7.2 channel flagship that delivers amazing sound quality. Owner of dynamic audio amplification technology (Dynamic Audio Amplification). Network and analog audio that can be played from many devices, including streaming via built-in Chromecast and DTS Play-Fi. The receiver also decorates Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma). Its main advantages include excellent sound quality, a dynamic audio amplification system, support for playing many formats and channels, and a sufficient number of inputs. The communication protocol is dual-band Wi-Fi.
Main characteristics
| Number of channels: | 7.2 |
| Power: | 180W (per channel) |
| Phono stage: | MM |
| Features: | HDMI interfaces, 4K signal support, Ethernet network connection, Wi-Fi, AM/FM radio tuner |
| Signal to noise ratio: | 106 dB |
Advantages and disadvantages
5. YAMAHA RX-A2A
This AV receiver will also transform your home theater experience with professional sound and video. The amplifier has acoustic characteristics that make the sound clear, but spacious. Anti Resonance (ART) technology protects against external vibrations.
Most importantly, the 7.2-channel receiver supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound formats, the latest HDMI 2.1, and 8K and 4K/120 resolutions. It also comes with a microphone that corrects the sound depending on the room. Equipped with the MusicCast Surround wireless platform, which allows you to connect additional components.
Main characteristics
| Number of channels: | 7 |
| Outputs: | HDMI x7, coaxial x1, optical x1 |
| Features: | Wi-Fi & Bluetooth, AirPlay |
| The weight: | 10.2 kg |
Advantages and disadvantages
6. Onkyo TX-NR696
A good receiver guarantees in your home the volume of sound and the “picture” that you are used to hearing and seeing in movie theaters. You can play sounds through any of the speakers in your home system. Effects move in 5.2.2D like real life thanks to XNUMX-channel Dolby Atmos or DTS:X soundtracks.
Main characteristics
| Number of channels: | 7 |
| Channel power: | 65W (6Ω, 1kHz, 1% THD, 1ch, IEC) |
| Sensitivity: | 200 mV |
| Phono stage: | MM |
| Signal-to-noise ratio (MM cartridge): | 80 dB |
| Features: | Equalizer, digital sound processing |
| Inputs: | HDMI x6, Coaxial x1, Optical x1, Line x4, Phono |
| Outputs: | subwoofer x2, HDMI x2, headphones x1, linear x1, PreAmp |
| Interfaces: | USB Type A, Ethernet RJ-45 |
| Network Features: | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Internet radio |
Advantages and disadvantages
7. YAMAHA HTR-3072
A rather outdated model, but it provides its main function – good sound. Perfectly fit into the simplest home theater. And, whatever one may say, it will still create the surround sound of a movie with very realistic effects. Equipped with 4 inputs for connecting various devices, such as a laptop to watch movies on it. But the receiver has three analog inputs and this is quite enough. It is convenient that there is Bluetooth, with which you can listen to music from your smartphone. In terms of dimensions, the device is quite impressive.
Main characteristics
| Number of channels: | 5,1 |
| Power: | 100W (per channel) |
| Features: | HDMI interfaces, 4K signal support, AM/FM radio tuner |
| Signal to noise ratio: | 110 dB |
| Remote controller: | Remote control |
| The weight: | 7.7 kg |
| Power Consumption: | 260 W |
Advantages and disadvantages
8. Marantz NR1711
This model of AV receiver is called graceful for its really sophisticated body. Marantz delivers immersive multi-channel audio from Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, DTS:X, and DTS Virtual:X. It has advanced features for gamers. These are 4K/120Hz video resolution, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Fast Frame Transfer (QFT) and others.
Main characteristics
| Number of channels: | 7 |
| Inputs: | composite x2, component x2, HDMI x8, optical x2, line x4, iPhone compatible |
| Outputs: | subwoofer x2, HDMI x3, PreAmp |
| Power Consumption: | 250 W |
| Features: | HDMI interfaces, 4K signal support |
| Network connection: | via Wi-Fi |
Advantages and disadvantages
9. Denon AVR-X550BT
5.2 channel AV receiver with 130 watts per channel. The device is from the “budget” options, but at an affordable price it has a full range of functions for home theater. High quality images are achieved in 4K format, and you can listen to music from your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth or the USB port on the front panel.
Main characteristics
| Number of channels: | 5,2 |
| Power: | 130W (per channel) |
| Power Consumption: | 310 W |
| Features: | HDMI interfaces, 4K signal support |
| Radio tuner: | AM / FM |
| Signal to noise ratio: | 98 dB |
Advantages and disadvantages
10. YAMAHA RX-V385
This model is widely replicated, it can be purchased even in chain stores of household appliances. The cost is the most budgetary of the presented top of the best AV receivers of 2022. At the same time, the receiver creates surround sound of the highest quality. CINEMA DSP supports HD audio playback and can even simulate the acoustics of famous venues such as European cathedrals, the Bottom Line and the Roxy Theatre.
Main characteristics
| Number of channels: | 5,1 |
| Power: | 100W (per channel) |
| Power Consumption: | 260 W |
| Features: | HDMI interfaces, 4K signal support |
| Radio tuner: | AM / FM |
| Signal to noise ratio: | 110 dB |
Advantages and disadvantages
How to choose an AV receiver
There are several main characteristics that you should pay special attention to when choosing an AV receiver:
- Power. The higher the better. However, for a room of 18 squares, 80 watts and an acoustic sensitivity of about 90 dB are suitable. For 30 m², there are already other figures – 120 W and 95 dB, respectively.
- Digital-to-analog converter. Look at the frequency in kilohertz, the higher it is, the better too. On average, this figure is 96 kHz, the most expensive models have a frequency of 192 kHz.
- Convenience. Pay attention to the menu so that it is easy to manage. Otherwise, the AV receiver will turn into a puzzle.
Modern devices. The latest mid-range and premium AV receivers are equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. The receiver is easy to synchronize with any device – smartphone, home theater, TV, laptop, etc. And enjoy the sound of your favorite songs in the highest quality. It also often comes with a remote control.
Popular questions and answers
Nikolai Fedenev, sound engineer, production manager of Asia Music, answered questions from Healthy Food Near Me.
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