2021 Receiver Recommendations?

[BasementAV]

I could use some help finding an AVR to replace a Newcastle R-972 (HDMI no longer working). I use the system for movies (Fire TV Stick/Blu-ray) and music (Fire TV Stick/analog input) about 50/50. I am trying to keep the price around $1000. 7.1 channels at 100 watts minimum. I was hoping for a great calibration system since my room setup and speakers are OK, but far from perfect. Simulated Atmos would be nice, since running new wires is not an option right now, but could be done. A good app (or IP web page?) for setup and on-screen for control would be nice also since this will be in a closet. Other than that, something that sounds great! Any ideas? I had my eye on possibly the upcoming Onkyo RZ50, but would like to get other's opinions. Thanks!

 

[Sonnie]

I was actually going to mention the new Onkyo AVR's would be a consideration.

If you are willing to go refurbished, Accessories4Less had the Marantz 6014 at $999... https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...9.2-ch-x-110-watts-a/v-receiver-w/heos/1.html

Personally I prefer Dirac Live over Audyssey, but both are worthy for what they do. I have no idea if either of those do IP control, as it's been a while since I owned one.

 

[JStewart]

Personally I prefer Dirac Live over Audyssey,

Then there’s NAD T758v3 refurbished at $900
https://www.safeandsoundhq.com/prod...v-surround-sound-receiver-factory-refurbished.

The RZ50 might be worth waiting for though. @Todd Anderson likely has better insight.

 

[Sonnie]

I actually owned the NAD 758 and it was a very good AVR.

 

[ddude003]

You might look at the new Yamaha AVRs... Between the RX-A2A AVENTAGE 7.2-Channel AV Receiver and the RX-A4A AVENTAGE 7.2-Channel AV Receiver...

 

[BasementAV]

The NAD T758 is very tempting, especially given the praise I am reading for sound quality (and only $900!). However, someday I may want to add the Atmos speakers in the ceiling. But that may never happen.
Also, plugging this into a simple 1080i/p Epson projector, would I miss having any video processing (inputs are BluRay and 4K Firestick), or is that overrated?

 

[JStewart]

The NAD T758 is very tempting, especially given the praise I am reading for sound quality (and only $900!). However, someday I may want to add the Atmos speakers in the ceiling. But that may never happen.
Also, plugging this into a simple 1080i/p Epson projector, would I miss having any video processing (inputs are BluRay and 4K Firestick), or is that overrated?

The NAD will do Atmos. If you have 7 bed channels it does require an external amp to power the ceiling speakers from it’s pre-outs. You can do a 5.2 atmos system without an external amp.

As far as video processing on an AVR is concerned I don’t see the value. Any calibration is going to be done on the projector. (Or flatpanel).

There’s a comprehensive review on this forum if you haven’t seen it.

NAD T 758 v3 A/V Surround Sound Receiver Review

The NAD T 758 v3 A/V Surround Sound Receiver is a recent addition to the NAD Audio product line. The formidable AVR features seven amplifier channels with generous amounts of clean power, Dolby ATMOS processing, Dirac Live Room Correction, up to 12 ATMOS/Dirac Live processed channels, and BluOS...

www.avnirvana.com

You’ll see I’m also an owner although I’m not using it at the moment after an upgrade.
One thing some don’t like is no OSD. I thought it might bother me but it doesn’t. The HTP-1 I’m using now is the same way. No video processing on it either.

Edit: hopefully @Todd Anderson sees this and can comment on the onkyo for you.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I’m here! ;-)

The forthcoming models from Yamaha and Onkyo both look exciting. I’m talking to Yamaha on Thursday and am hoping to get some clarification about the new bass management feature they hinted at in PR materials. I’ll let you know what they say. Also, Yamaha has Auro-3D on its new models, which is a great upmixing option for movies and music (IMO, it’s the best upmixing let for 2ch into multichannel for music).

As for Onkyo, the specs are looking good and its new models are shipping with lots of broad reaching technologies. I think they’re going to be popular.

The big question for both brands is ship dates... all of these manufacturers are dealing with shortages in parts and backlogs in commercial shipping. So, 2021 is definitely a year for patience.

The NAD is another option, the previous owners in this thread can comment on this better, but NAD is more of a 2-channel/sound quality first, home theater second kind of brand... and that trickles down to the receiver you’re talking about. That’s not a major issue, but I believe it means that things like DTS:X processing are off the table for NAD?

 

[BasementAV]

Thanks, guys! Pluses and minuses all over the place! Wish I could afford it all!
Given my budget and thirst for "newness", I think I'll wait a couple of weeks and see what the next news on the Onkyo front is. In the meantime, I will keep my eye on the refurbished NAD (out of stock right now).
Since coming to this site/forum, my urge to mess around more with this stuff is growing (now I need to win that mic!). I think my wife wants to start a new thread!

 

[Todd Anderson]

I think hitting pause and waiting for this next batch of releases is a sound move. Any other year (aside from 2020), and we’d likely have firm release dates. Hang in there and keep dreaming!

 

[Doug Wickstrom]

A few years ago we had a lightning strike and it fried several things including the hdmi inputs on my Sherwood Newcastle processor. I bought an inexpensive hdmi switch with audio extraction. It had a coaxial and toslink spdif audio outputs that I used to feed the processor. Not a perfect long term solution but an economical short term one. Just a thought.

 

[BasementAV]

Doug, I think that is what happened to my Sherwood Newcastle as well. What was the switch you ended up with? I'd hate to scrap a very nice amp that still sounds good. I never tried the optical or coax inputs, but the analog ones work fine.

 

[Doug Wickstrom]

I bought the switch I still use several years ago and I don't see a current web link for it. This one from Monoprice is very similar - maybe the same only this one has 4 hdmi inputs and mine has 3 hdmi inputs. I seem to remember that the switch I now use cost about $40 several years ago.

Monoprice Blackbird 4x1 HDMI 1.4 Switch HDCP 1.4 with Toslink and Analog Audio Extractor, 1080p@60Hz

My Sherwood processor did not have hdmi inputs in the unit itself but they offered a separate outboard unit that sort of integrated hdmi sources. The outboard Sherwood box is the one that died. I use the coxial connection from this switch/extractor to my Sherwood processor's video input with the video input's audio pointed to the coaxial input of the Sherwood. I use the remote for the switch to select the hdmi source I want to use. The hdmi output from the switch goes to my video projector so the video does not go through the Sherwood. Let me know if I haven't said this clearly.

The audio digital stream does not seem to be compromised and I don't notice a time lag. I use this for cable tv and xbox play and watching movies in a basement family room type situation. 5.1 audio works well enough for this setting for me. The dac chips in the Sherwood are good enough for this and the analog circuits in the Sherwood are just fine. I actually think the Sherwood sounds better than the Marantz I bought to "replace" it. The Marantz is now in another room. For music listening I use a separate Chord Qutest and a separate preamp now in that family room for stereo although honestly I never found the Sherwood's dac abilities for music to be unpleasant. I do love the Qutest tho. But I also love using older equipment whenever I can.

I hope that is of value to you. Again please let me know if I haven't been clear in any of this.

Good luck!

Doug

 

[BasementAV]

Very clear Doug. Thank you! I just ordered one of these:

My hope is that the optical can still feed the Sherwood processor. If it works, I can wait a few more months to upgrade, if not, it can be sent back.

 

[BasementAV]

This works! So far anyway, I have not run any tests or calibration programs yet. Just know that I am getting sound through my amp again!
Thanks for the suggestion, Doug!
-Jay