Good budget AV receiver?

Bobmunkhouse

Bobmunkhouse

Bobmunkhouse

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My old Sony str-dn1040 has done a great job but the screen has been broken for a while which I annoying and I want to pass though pc hdmi at 4k with 5.1(edit 5.0) to TV as at the moment hdmi goes directly to TV and back to amp via optical and seems to only do stereo....but really it would be good if could have everything just passing though AV amp in a smart way which I have not had for a while....

So anyway what's a good budget upgrade? Saw the yamaha rx-v6a which seems good but what's everyone's views, keeping under £500?

Thanks
 
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Have you checked the output from your TV to ensure that it's giving out a 5.1 signal?
Can you run a coax digital from your PC to an AV amp, whilst still having the TV connected using optical?
Do you have a second HDMI output to allow audio out from the PC directly into an AV amp?

Any of the above might result in a free upgrade.

I did buy an audio de-embedder (I think that's what it was called), that connects to the HDMI eARC out from a TV and grabs the audio from the signal, before sending the audio only onwards via HDMI. That means you can avoid the need for an AV amp to be able pass on a 4k TV signal.
 
Bobmunkhouse said:
My old Sony str-dn1040 has done a great job but the screen has been broken for a while which I annoying and I want to pass though pc hdmi at 4k with 5.1(edit 5.0) to TV as at the moment hdmi goes directly to TV and back to amp via optical and seems to only do stereo....but really it would be good if could have everything just passing though AV amp in a smart way which I have not had for a while....

So anyway what's a good budget upgrade? Saw the yamaha rx-v6a which seems good but what's everyone's views, keeping under £500?

Thanks
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For reliability I'd probably recommend Yamaha. Not as many AVR brands as used to be.

Not all TV's output all formats from the optical/ARC/E-ARC outputs so generally it's good going through the AVR- you also have the AVR's OSD.

As for subwoofer I would recommend one as shifts bass from the main speakers to the sub, lessens the load on the AVR, frees up power etc.
 
Mr_Sukebe said:
Have you checked the output from your TV to ensure that it's giving out a 5.1 signal?
Can you run a coax digital from your PC to an AV amp, whilst still having the TV connected using optical?
Do you have a second HDMI output to allow audio out from the PC directly into an AV amp?

Any of the above might result in a free upgrade.

I did buy an audio de-embedder (I think that's what it was called), that connects to the HDMI eARC out from a TV and grabs the audio from the signal, before sending the audio only onwards via HDMI. That means you can avoid the need for an AV amp to be able pass on a 4k TV signal.
Click to expand...

Cool will check all this out!
 
hornetstinger said:
For reliability I'd probably recommend Yamaha. Not as many AVR brands as used to be.

Not all TV's output all formats from the optical/ARC/E-ARC outputs so generally it's good going through the AVR- you also have the AVR's OSD.

As for subwoofer I would recommend one as shifts bass from the main speakers to the sub, lessens the load on the AVR, frees up power etc.
Click to expand...

Ok cheers for info, thanks
 
The Denon X1800H is good value. A little less wattage than the Yamaha, but well specified and a good, reliable brand.
£499 is the usual price, a couple of retailers will let you have it for £449 if you join for free their VIP clubs and it quite often appears as a special offer at £399.
 
stoofa said:
The Denon X1800H is good value. A little less wattage than the Yamaha, but well specified and a good, reliable brand.
£499 is the usual price, a couple of retailers will let you have it for £449 if you join for free their VIP clubs and it quite often appears as a special offer at £399.
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This looks well reviewed, will look for deals! Thanks
 
Bobmunkhouse said:
Interesting, amp will be placed so top and at least one side will be clear to vent air so hopefully that will be enough!
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I would think so. I run my Marantz in a big TV AV unit thing with clearance around it. However, I always leave the door ajar, but to help I also use Eco mode. If you're not cranking it, you'll not really notice any difference. I ran my old Denon and now my Marantz in Eco mode.
 
Bobmunkhouse said:
Really are fans required!? Will only be using for normal films and games for a few hours at a time?
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I mean - the main reason I mentioned the X1800H is because I've got one (Replaced a Yamaha RX-V585). Mine sits with a centre speaker on top of it (lack of space on current under TV cabinet means this is the best place to pop it) and I can't say I've experienced any major heat from it.
If it was silly hot to begin with, I'd have thought putting a centre speaker (albeit a relatively small one) on top would cause issues - but everything has just run fine since I first installed it.

YMMV of course - I'm just reporting no actual heat issues from mine (that I know of - but at the same time, I just use it and don't often wander up to it and make sure it's happy :) )
 
I've got the X1800H as well and haven't had any problems, so far very reliable. I play it reasonably loud. I do leave space around it and in particular above it.

AVR-and-Centre.jpg
 
ninjag said:
I've got the X1800H as well and haven't had any problems, so far very reliable. I play it reasonably loud. I do leave space around it and in particular above it.

AVR-and-Centre.jpg
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Sorry a question for anyone with a X1800H does the Heos app support YouTube music? I'm using a Chromecast at the moment and would like to be able to get rid of that step....

Edit p.s I have googled it but seems unclear as Google assistant is supported but the actual YouTube music streaming service I'm not sure....I want to be able to play my playlists or start a random radio of tracks....
 
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Bobmunkhouse said:
Sorry a question for anyone with a X1800H does the Heos app support YouTube music? I'm using a Chromecast at the moment and would like to be able to get rid of that step....

Edit p.s I have googled it but seems unclear as Google assistant is supported but the actual YouTube music streaming service I'm not sure....I want to be able to play my playlists or start a random radio of tracks....
Click to expand...

I don't think it can.

There's a discussion about it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/heos/comments/13e3bzs/youtube_and_youtube_music_to_heos/
 
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