Home Theatre Receiver advice

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55 posts

Master Geek

#2314208 10-Sep-2019 12:28

ShinyChrome:

justinbyoung: The SR6013 is only HDCP 2.2 as well. It looks like the upcoming SR6014 will have HDCP 2.3. it sucks how they advertise HDCP as a feature when it's just there to make your life more difficult.

Reading between the sales focused lines here, the way I am interpreting HDCP 2.3 is that it is to account for the higher data rate required by standards such as HDMI 2.1, but it will still work with any HDCP compliant spec, it will just fall backwards to the lowest specced link in the the chain ie. an 8k stream sent through HDCP 2.2 AVR -> HDCP 2.3 TV will only be able to be rendered in 2.2 compliant streams eg 4k max.

So unless you plan on buying a TV/AVR capable of processing content such as 8K or 4k120 HDR10 etc in the next 5-10 years, I'm still not convinced it matters. Happy for someone more knowledgeable to correct me though, since it is NOT clear at all.

@dunnersfella ?

We just bought a 4K TV a couple of months ago so have no intention of upgrading for a number of years. I think I have narrowed it down to a handful of options. Just need to work out what is on sale at the best price.

WyleECoyoteNZ

1049 posts

Uber Geek

#2314217 10-Sep-2019 12:46

justinbyoung:

Well it looks like my 15 year old Marantz SR7300OSE has finally died. Went pop last night while watching a movie. I am sure it is repairable, but I am starting to think it might be time to look at something new. Sound formats have come and gone in the time I have had this thing so I feel a little out of touch about what is good now.

I am after a mid level receiver, that sounds great, with enough power to push my B&W floorstanders, and the ability to do Atmos etc at some point in the future.

My research so far has lead me to believe my best options would by the Yamaha Aventage, or Denon AVR-X series, with the advantage slightly towards the Denon.

My Marantz was a pretty basic 6.1 model, but was pretty powerful at 110W per channel. To get that type of power it looks like I have to go for a 9.2 channel model or above, the 7.2 models seem to top out at under 95W. The space we have doesn't allow for more surround speakers, I was thinking of possibly adding a couple of ceiling speakers for Atmos, but can't see the need for much more than 7.2. I also remember reading at some point how some manufacturers were sacrificing amplifier performance for the sake of new features in the newer receivers. Is this actually a problem? My main concern is audio performance, things like built in music streaming is much less important if not redundant.

Another option I am looking at is buying the Denon 7.2 ARV-X2600H receiver and adding a Stereo amp for the front L + R, but this will probably end up cost me more than the AVR-X3600H.

I guess I am just looking for some feedback on the current receiver market. I don't want to spend more than I need to, but if I can buy something I will be happy with for the next 15 years (not likely lol) I am willing to spend a bit more.

What about something like the Yamaha RX-A1080 Aventage?

https://www.listeningpost.co.nz/Products/Amplifiers/Home-Theatre-Receivers/Yamaha-RX-A1080-Network-Receiver-__I.232996__C.27277__N.27756

I used to have a Marantz SR5400 driving a set of Mission speakers (m35 fronts) and that could drive the fronts nicely, but as I acquired more and more HDMi supported stuff, the SR5400 didn't have any HDMi inputs, so I went to a Onkyo TX-NR609. In hindsight, not the best option, but it was cheap on run out.

The 609 really doesn't do the fronts justice at all, and I've looked at the 10XX Aventages for a while.

When I first started looking, the RX-A1040 Aventage was the current model, and too really drive the fronts, matching the Yamaha RX-A1040 Aventage with a NAD C 275BEE Stereo power amp was suggested by the team at the Listening Post. The suggestion there was to run the fronts off the NAD, the centre and rears off the Yamaha, and connect the Yamaha & NAD units via the Yamaha's pre out for the fronts only. In the end, I didn't as other things took priority, but the idea is still there, even if it just starts wih getting the Aventage.

A bit like this retailer suggesting with a RX-V1085

https://garyanderson.co.nz/product/yamaha-rxv1085-7-2-channel-av-receiver/

robbon44

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2314218 10-Sep-2019 12:47

i have marantz amp and B&W 600 series 5.1 set up and i love it.

cant recommend the pairing high enough.

justinbyoung

55 posts

Master Geek

#2314420 10-Sep-2019 17:46

WyleECoyoteNZ:

What about something like the Yamaha RX-A1080 Aventage?

https://www.listeningpost.co.nz/Products/Amplifiers/Home-Theatre-Receivers/Yamaha-RX-A1080-Network-Receiver-__I.232996__C.27277__N.27756

I used to have a Marantz SR5400 driving a set of Mission speakers (m35 fronts) and that could drive the fronts nicely, but as I acquired more and more HDMi supported stuff, the SR5400 didn't have any HDMi inputs, so I went to a Onkyo TX-NR609. In hindsight, not the best option, but it was cheap on run out.

The 609 really doesn't do the fronts justice at all, and I've looked at the 10XX Aventages for a while.

When I first started looking, the RX-A1040 Aventage was the current model, and too really drive the fronts, matching the Yamaha RX-A1040 Aventage with a NAD C 275BEE Stereo power amp was suggested by the team at the Listening Post. The suggestion there was to run the fronts off the NAD, the centre and rears off the Yamaha, and connect the Yamaha & NAD units via the Yamaha's pre out for the fronts only. In the end, I didn't as other things took priority, but the idea is still there, even if it just starts wih getting the Aventage.

A bit like this retailer suggesting with a RX-V1085

https://garyanderson.co.nz/product/yamaha-rxv1085-7-2-channel-av-receiver/

Yeah, the ones I am currently considering are:

Yamaha RX-A1080

Denon AVR-X3500H

Marantz SR6013

At the moment I am favoring the Marantz. I have found a price for it lower than than the other two and spec wise I think it is slightly better, though all three are very close. I think I have an emotional connection to Marantz as well due to my last receiver.

justinbyoung

55 posts

Master Geek

#2315073 11-Sep-2019 15:06

Purchase made. Found a good clearance price for the SR6012 https://www.abtec.co.nz/product/Marantz_SR6012. When I inquired they let me know that the model was discontinued and then matched the same price for the SR6013 model ($1997). Probably could have negotiated a similar discount elsewhere, but I favored the Marantz and these guys are 5 mins drive from my house so bonus.

ilovemusic

1439 posts

Uber Geek

#2315097 11-Sep-2019 15:48

av prices are just nuts.

i paid $2k for my 6012 2 years ago.

at the time marantz nz had some remaining stock of the superceded 7011 for $3k

3 mths later av world had new 7012 for $2k :(

overall the 6012 is a good unit.

sound is good but not as good as my old rotel.

there's good connectivity and functionality.

a few too many useless features that i'll never use like audyssey, heos etc. but overall not bad for $2k

jonathan18

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#2315130 11-Sep-2019 16:20

Out of interest, is the Marantz 6013 (or 6012) the most affordable 9.2 receiver that actually has the amplification on-board to do 7.1.2?

Some of those listed as 9.2 on PriceSpy clearly require external amplification to achieve this; I've got a 7.1 system already in-place, and ideally want to add two speakers at the front for Atmos etc, and ideally do so without removing a pair of rears or purchasing an additional amp. (I imagine, by the time I buy a receiver with 7 channels of amplification plus a second two-channel amp, I'd have paid more than a true 9.2 receiver like this?)

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justinbyoung

55 posts

Master Geek

#2315145 11-Sep-2019 16:38

jonathan18:

Out of interest, is the Marantz 6013 (or 6012) the most affordable 9.2 receiver that actually has the amplification on-board to do 7.1.2?

Some of those listed as 9.2 on PriceSpy clearly require external amplification to achieve this; I've got a 7.1 system already in-place, and ideally want to add two speakers at the front for Atmos etc, and ideally do so without removing a pair of rears or purchasing an additional amp. (I imagine, by the time I buy a receiver with 7 channels of amplification plus a second two-channel amp, I'd have paid more than a true 9.2 receiver like this?)

Yes I believe so. The SR6013 is native 9.2 and can do 11.2 / 7.2.4 with additional external amplification. The new Denon AVR-X3600H is also 9.2, but that's not for sale in NZ yet.

ilovemusic

1439 posts

Uber Geek

#2317261 13-Sep-2019 16:41

sr6012/13 has 9 channels of amplification,

for 5.1.4 or 7.1.2

it does do 11.2 processing so with an extra amp can do 7.1.4

justinbyoung

55 posts

Master Geek

#2324644 25-Sep-2019 16:01

I have had the SR6013 for a week or so now. Very happy so far.

jonathan18

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#2835296 18-Dec-2021 16:15

Opening this old thread for some advice…

What are people’s thoughts on what a s/h Marantz SR6012 is worth these days?

I get that the price of new receivers has gone crazy the past couple of years, hence why I’m now thinking of going s/h - I’m looking for a receiver with nine channels of amplification so as to do (probably) a 7.1.2 setup or possibly 5.1.4, and there really aren’t many bargains to be had on such gear.

There’s an SR6012 on TM with a starting price of $1000 - does that seem reasonable? (I had thought somewhat high given the age, but I also fear the increased costs for new receivers has flown through to what people are willing to pay s/h.)

Thanks for any thoughts.

ShinyChrome

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#2835381 19-Dec-2021 10:36

I've seen two 7012s go for ~$1600 in the past couple of weeks on TM, so I wouldn't think too much above starting IMO. But it is TM, so YMMV.

AVRs have really turned into a rort, and that even was before COVID. The 6015 is $3499, nearly $1500 above where the 6012 was when this thread was started!

jonathan18

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#2835942 20-Dec-2021 12:54

ShinyChrome: I've seen two 7012s go for ~$1600 in the past couple of weeks on TM, so I wouldn't think too much above starting IMO. But it is TM, so YMMV.

AVRs have really turned into a rort, and that even was before COVID. The 6015 is $3499, nearly $1500 above where the 6012 was when this thread was started!

Thanks, @ShinyChrome. Yeah, back when I started putting money aside to replace my receiver (expecting my Onkyo's HDMI board to die at any time - still hasn't happened!) I'd budgeted $2k, which would have been ok to get something like this when on special; now the chances of getting a nine-channel receiver for that budget are next to nil.

So does making an offer of $1100 for the 6012 on TM sound reasonable?

JPNZ

1547 posts

Uber Geek

#2835971 20-Dec-2021 13:47

ShinyChrome:

AVRs have really turned into a rort, and that even was before COVID. The 6015 is $3499, nearly $1500 above where the 6012 was when this thread was started!

Its absolutely incredible what has happened with AVR pricing. I grabbed my Onkyo RZ730 9.2 AVR (with 5 year warranty) in May 2020 for $1199. Today the replacement RZ740 is $2,199.

Panasonic 65GZ1000, Onkyo RZ730, Atmos 5.1.2, AppleTV 4K, Nest Mini's, PS5, PS3, MacbookPro, iPad Pro, Apple watch SE2, iPhone 15+

ShinyChrome

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#2836046 20-Dec-2021 15:59

JPNZ:

Its absolutely incredible what has happened with AVR pricing. I grabbed my Onkyo RZ730 9.2 AVR (with 5 year warranty) in May 2020 for $1199. Today the replacement RZ740 is $2,199.

Yup, good call. I am gutted I didn't follow my own advice and grabbed the SR7013 when it was going for $2k. Hindsight...

I have a theory that the local supplier for most of these had a shake-up and is now more focused on keeping these a high-value, low-volume commodity. I would love to see Onkyo's new line-up here, but it seems like it's in the TH;CBF basket for now.

jonathan18:

So does making an offer of $1100 for the 6012 on TM sound reasonable?

I think so, and you can only but try.

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