Guidance on a replacement receiver to handle 4K HDR.

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Jaxson

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Topic # 223676 12-Oct-2017 08:13

This was a big informative post, but it was rejected based on a non secure image and the whole post was lost. Nice.

I need a replacement 4K capable receiver, for my older Onkyo TX-SR576 unit.

The new TV is 4K HDR capable, and we have an Xbox One S unit.

Am after experiences/recommendations for something that meets these requirements:

- Cheap

- 4K

- HDR capable (requires hdmi 2.0a?)

- 5.1

and then ideally:

- Zone 2 (for outside speakers)

- Microphone Calibration Setup. (I have in wall speakers that frankly need this).

Don't need many inputs, as mostly just Xbox and Tivo or similar plugging in now.

Borderline tempted to run these direct to the TV and run sound separately to a basic receiver, but you don't tend to get the HD audio that way.

Thoughts and feelings appreciated. Labour day sales might hopefully offer something, or could even go second hand if it met the requirements and someone was legit upgrading.
Thanks.

Dingbatt

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Reply # 1882235 12-Oct-2017 08:22

In my experience Onkyo will provide the most features at the lowest cost. However you will have to accept they aren't as reliable as the more expensive consumer brands (Pioneer, Denon, Yamaha, etc). But if you have already owned an Onkyo then you are probably already aware of that.
After being caught out badly by buying an expensive pioneer receiver, only to have it rendered obsolete by HDMI upgrades within 18 months, I now stick to Onkyos to get the latest at a reasonable cost knowing I'll probably only use it for about three years anyway.

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Jaxson

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Reply # 1882240 12-Oct-2017 08:30

Agree the Onkyo approach has actually been pretty good. My original one included the Zone 2, proper banana post connections, 7.1 etc and that seems to be missing on most of the equivalent entry models of today.

And agree that hdmi specs have changed dramatically over the last 5 years or so. I'm pretty set on the gear I've got for another 5 year or so now, so am happy to purchase such that what I do have all works together now. HDR / hdmi 2.0a seems to be the requirement for me for now.

The Yamaha RXV383 looks to cover the base requirements, but isn't Zone 2 and has crappy looking speaker connections. Does have a mic calibration though.

Too many reports like this in the fine print:
https://www.avforums.com/threads/xbox-one-s-with-pioneer-receiver-issue.2043535/

I just need to ensure the Xbox One S can send it's signals through to the TV ok. Plugging directly into the TV gets all the ticks on the Xbox One S, so I know those two are compatible.

Jaxson

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Reply # 1882348 12-Oct-2017 10:43

FYI for anyone finding this thread in future:

Xbox One S 4K and HDR Requirements

Troubleshooting Xbox One S 4K problems

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 1883125 13-Oct-2017 19:42

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Make sure your new receiver is guaranteed an update to be Dolby Vision capable.

Onkyo has changed their distributor recently and it appears the new supplier isn't circling the drain... so don't expect big amps to be dumped at stupid low prices. Remember, Onkyo and Pioneer are effectively the same units with different boxes and Denon / Marantz share more in common than differences.

Jaxson

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Reply # 1883147 13-Oct-2017 21:06

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Pioneer VSX-531 looks to be the target at the mo.
http://www.smithscity.co.nz/tv-and-audio/video-and-home-cinema/component-audio/9028824/Pioneer-VSX531-5.1-Channel-Receiver.html

Pokey little clip connections for centre and rears though.
Man they literally don't make them like they used to cheap. Old Onkyo had 7.1, real banana posts, zone 2 etc.

RX-V383 is a similar option.

Jaxson

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Reply # 1883149 13-Oct-2017 21:15

Dunnersfella:
Make sure your new receiver is guaranteed an update to be Dolby Vision capable.

.

Where am I likely to source this content from, given I had an Xbox One S or Sony Android TV only as the source unit presently?

blakamin

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Reply # 1883163 13-Oct-2017 21:34

The Yamaha has banana plugs...

Jaxson

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Reply # 1883173 13-Oct-2017 21:44

blakamin:
The Yamaha has banana plugs...

Only on main left right outputs.

$700 region for something that only has two real speaker output plugs.
Both of them appear the same in this regard.

blakamin

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Reply # 1883187 13-Oct-2017 22:18

Jaxson:
blakamin:

The Yamaha has banana plugs...

Only on main left right outputs.

$700 region for something that only has two real speaker output plugs.
Both of them appear the same in this regard.

Oh, sorry, I was looking at the RX-V483 (and 481)

Surely you'd get them for less than $700 though.

Jaxson

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Reply # 1883196 13-Oct-2017 22:44

$650 at smith city above, but that's still a lot for what look like toys.

blakamin

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Reply # 1883198 13-Oct-2017 22:52

You really care what it looks like?

I had a Yamaha 20 years ago, and it looks no different to my current AVR. Missing a couple of buttons maybe.

Mine's mostly hidden. But I'm watching the TV, not the AVR (I have the rx-v481).

Jaxson

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Reply # 1883229 14-Oct-2017 03:20

blakamin:
You really care what it looks like?

Ha a bit too literal. Sorry to be ambiguous. No I'm not worried about what it physically looks like.

I meant I'm surprised at the cost of the entry level hardware spec of these, in terms of only a few banana connectors, lack of zone 2, etc. When i bought the last one, this would have been around $400, so $650 on sale seems steep.

Will see if Labour day offers anything, or if those Noel Leeming cost plus 5% is actually any good via work etc.

blakamin

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Reply # 1883566 14-Oct-2017 20:07

I'd go at least the rx-v483 if you want banana plugs everywhere, and were looking at yamaha.