Sorry, I like my sound but I'm not tech savvy on it - how would that benefit me?
What he means is if you have a console capable of the higher frame rates, and a TV that can accept those types of signals then if you want the AVR to be in the middle, then it too needs to be capable.
AVRs with a HDMI 2.1 socket are, but with only one such input socket, and the possibility that you'll have more than one signal source needing HDMI 2.1 compatibility, then a later generation of AVR might help you avoid awkward cable swapping sessions.
As for AVR-X2300 vs NR1711, they're aimed at two different markets.
The Denon has analogue power amp stages whereas the Marantz used Class-D (switchmode) amps to save size and heat.
At this level, Class D doesn't sound as good as analogue. Also, there's a big difference in the quoted power levels: 50W for the Marantz in stereo mode versus 95W for the Denon on a like-for-like basis.
The power reserve difference will manifest in a couple of ways immediately. First, you'll find yourself setting the Marantz volume dial much higher to generate the sort of levels you're used to listening at. Second , when the soundtrack of whatever you're listening to gets busy, then the Marantz will seem to cast a smaller cocoon of sound.
Your cantons are probably like most smaller sub/sat systems. The satellites have fairly poor sensitivity. This is the dB/W/m figure. This is also common to small bookshelf speakers too, so don't think of it as a failing in the Cantons. It's just a limit of small drivers. Large bookshelf/medium sized standmount speakers will have a sensitivity of something like 88-92 dB. Small bookshelfs; 83-86 dB. Smaller/lower-end sub/sat system satellite speakers will be anything from the low 80s down to mid 70s if quoted at all.
The important thing about sensitivity is it influences how much power the speakers will need. Every time the sensitivity drops by 3dB, then the Amp will have to output double the power to generate the same measured sound level. If we take a speaker at 90dB/W/m and give it 1 Watt of power, then measure the sound level at 1m distance from the front we'd get roughly 90dB on the sound meter. Swap out for a speaker at 87dB, and to get a measurement of 90dB would require 2 W. An 84dB speaker would need double the power again, so 2x2 = 4 W. An 81dB speaker needs 8W, and a 78dB speaker needs 16 Watts just to sound as loud as the 90dB speaker running off 1 Watt.
It's kind of perverse that entry level AVRs - the ones typically with least power - are partnered with the lowest sensitivity speakers.
I can't find a figure for sensitivity on the Canton 75 satellites whilst running off my phone. It's not quoted in the manual as far as I can see. They make buck the trend or they might follow the pattern. But either way, if you've been used to the power of the Denon, then things are going to sound smaller with a lower-,powered amp driving them.
) and I don't think I've ever had clipping, however we are typically listening at -30db.
. I limit mine to -20 and apart from GOT don't think it's even been that high.