Looks like the NR515 has an ARC compatible HDMI port, so you are correct with Fire TV -> TV -> receiver setup. Either that or optical if both have it, but the flow remains the same. I'm guessing you had some approximation of that with your older TV.
Dunnersfella's knowledge far outstrips mine, so he should be able to provide valuable insight. At the moment, I would be looking at Yamaha, Denon, or Marantz. Onkyo or Pioneer only if the price is VERY right, as was linked to in another thread, they look to be in strife currently.
Given we have just ticked over another year, and depending on when you are looking to buy, i would be keeping an eye on price movement in the 2019 range, ie Denon X3600h, Marantz SR6014. Or the older Yamaha RVX-2085/RX-A2080, since Yamaha don't seem to have released any 2019 receivers. But then again at its current price, the SR6013 is a pretty sharp buy really.
All of the above will have eARC and Airplay 2 as well.
Popped into a NL's in NP yesterday to show my wife, who was impressed enough to give it the thumbs up. I purchased it there, and will pick up from the PN store in a week or so when it's delivered; decided to do that after realising our credit card offers extended warranties (additional 12 months in this case) if purchased fully on the card... I know the CGA's there, but anyway... (Also, the credit card policy will mean Visa refunds me the difference if it's sold lower at another shop in the next 30 days, so I'm covered if it drops down to $1500 next week!)
I've currently got an Onkyo NR515, which I understand has CEC (hope I'm right). External sources are an older Apple TV, which is likely to get little or no use now given it's not 4K (assuming we'll upgrade to 4K Netflix), and a 4K Amazon Fire TV - it's that we use for Disney. I was going to investigate whether I can simply hang the Amazon Fire off the back of the TV, using CEC for the audio. What do you reckon my best options may be?
I'll also be hitting you (and others here) up for advice on receivers at a later date; I've added the various affordable models that have nine-channel amplification on-board (to let me do 7.1.2 w/o external amplification) - unsurprisingly the most affordable models are from Onkyo and Pioneer, but if I can stretch the budget to $1500, the Marantz SR6013 may be the better option (especially given your comments elsewhere on the unknown future of the other brands).
TX-NR515 does do CEC and ARC fine - I'm still sticking it out with mine. Will likely upgrade this year now I have put half decent sound on our downstairs TV.
I'll be needing to cope with the existing receiver for the next six months or so while I put some money aside for the replacement so good to know it should be ok re CEC and ARC, thanks Handle9.
In six months hopefully the '19 models will be on run-out pricing, and we may know more about the future of Pioneer and Onkyo.
Dunnersfella:
Whatever AVR you get, make sure you get eARC as your TV can handle it, so you'll be able to stream ATMOS via Netflix 4K on the TV and take the full signal back via eARC.
I believe the LG's won't down-convert HDMI sources to 2.0 due to EDID dramas either, so your OLED will take any source (except for multi-channel PCM until it's updated) back to the AVR too.
@Dunnersfella - thanks for this, but noting I've ended up getting the Panasonic GZ1000U, rather then the LG C9, does that affect your advice?
Whatever AVR you get, make sure you get eARC as your TV can handle it, so you'll be able to stream ATMOS via Netflix 4K on the TV and take the full signal back via eARC.
I believe the LG's won't down-convert HDMI sources to 2.0 due to EDID dramas either, so your OLED will take any source (except for multi-channel PCM until it's updated) back to the AVR too.
Are you sure about that Dunnersfella? Unless it is being added in via firmware update, everything I've read says naught to eARC on the Panasonic 2019 OLED range.
Either way after the issues with both ARC and eARC as you say, I'm personally looking to get something like a Shield to take over streaming duties and feed it directly to the receiver.
Yeah I missed that you'd bought a Panasonic instead of an LG.
2019 AVR's won't drop in price until the 8K sources actually become available - so it will all depend on the release of PS5's and 8K XBox's.
I would suggest that higher end AVR's will be able to handle the full 8K signal, but many entry level versions won't be jamming 48Gbps down the HDMI output. It's VERY early in the 8K world... early adopters beware.
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