A crucial and often overlooked part of your home entertainment setup is the humble receiver. It's responsible for organizing and funneling all of the audio and video from your Blu-ray player, game consoles, HTPC, and other devices to your TV and your speakers, but often it gets little attention. The best receivers have internet-capable features like streaming audio or video, a wealth of necessary ports for your devices, and won't break the bank at the same time. Here's a look at the top five, based on your nominations.
Earlier this week we asked you to let us know which A/V receivers offer the best features that you actually found useful: whether it's streaming capability, tons of ports, crisp and clear audio and video, compatibility with tons of devices, wireless, and of course, bang for the buck. You came in with tons of nominations, including specific models and general brands. Here's a look at your top five.
Onkyo TX-NR Series (TX-NR414, TX-NR616)
Onkyo's NR series of receivers have earned a lot of praise from a lot of people, not the least of which being our friends at The Wirecutter, who praised the TX-NR414 specifically as an excellent model with great features for the price. Many of you noted that you can't go wrong with the NR line, since they almost universally offer excellent sound quality (all THX certified), internet-enabled features like Pandora streaming and Airplay, and tons of inputs?more than many other manufacturers cram into their devices. Additionally, while Onkyo has been known to have issues with its HDMI controllers, many of you noted those issues seem to be resolved in the recent models and firmware updates. How much you drop on one varies, the TX-NR414 that The Wirecutter recommended retails for around $230, and can be found much cheaper when on sale (closer to $199,) and the equally popular TX-NR616 is closer to $650, but the high-end professional models can come in at thousands of dollars.
Marantz NR Series (NR1403, NR1603)
Marantz took home a number of nominations in the call for contenders thread, with some of you just noting "anything Marantz" is a good buy, and likely the kind of gear that will turn someone who doesn't care too much about audio and video quality into someone who does, thanks to the options, features, and bang-for-the-buck pricing of many Marantz models. Enthusiasts have fun tweaking, restoring, and retooling older 2230 models to suit modern entertainment centers, and first-time buyers can give models like the NR1603 a spin to get great features in a slim, space-saving and attractively designed unit. The NR1603 even packs Airplay and 7.2 channel audio into a small package, and retails at $650. If you're on a budget, the sub $400 NR1403 still has a lot to offer in an even smaller size. When you're ready to step up a level (and spend a good bit more money), check out the SR line, many of which sport internet-enabled features and AIrplay, along with support for 4K video (for those interested in futureproofing).)
Yamaha RX-V Series (RX-V473, RX-V673)
The Yamaha RX-V Series of receivers are both budget friendly and feature packed. Even at the top of the line, the RX-V773WA, comes in at $850 MSRP, far below the most expensive models of the other contenders. Still, it's the RX-V673 (approx $650) that many of you called out specifically, noting its 7.2 channel surround sound, streaming music features (Airplay, Pandora,Rhapsody,) reliability, customer support and warranty, and many of you called out the fact that Yamaha has an Android app to control its receivers with your phone, which is a nice touch. If you want to save a few more dollars, a few of you praised the RX-V473 (approx $450,) which drops a few features but keeps the core tech that makes for a solid receiver, like a wealth of inputs, USB connectivity for external devices and media players, Airplay, and even 4K pass-through in an affordable package.
Denon AVR Series (AVR-1713, AVR-1913)
Denon makes some incredible receivers, and many of you noted that you found yourself defecting to Denon after having bad experiences with other models?only to fall in love. Specifically, the Denon AVR-1713, a $450 (retail) model, delivers a wealth of streaming and internet-enabled features, including the ability to act as a media server that you can connect other devices to via Airplay (including the ability to play Airplay music in a separate zone at the same time, something rather unique to Denon's receivers), USB, or DLNA, or web-based sources like Pandora andSirius/XM. Denon's models also come with the Audyssey sound technology built in to help you optimize audio for your listening environment. Some of your dinged Denon for its video upscaling, but for the price, others noted that it couldn't be beat. If you need 7.1 channel audio and more features, step up to the $580 (retail) AVR-1913.
Emotiva Separate Components
Some of you noted that to really get the best, you should be buying separate components, not an all-in-one, all-around receiver to manage all of your audio and video components. Those of you who specified a brand or model called out Emotiva's amplifiers, preamps, and accessories that, when combined, can create a fierce (and fiercely expensive) home theater experience. If you're designing a home theater from the ground up and money is no object, buying components is a great way to go, but even used the process can get seriously expensive. Still, it's the only way to have absolute control over all of the media to and from your devices, and of all of the component vendors out there, Emotiva is a great bang for the buck. The company prides itself on offering your professional-level, "money is no object" sound without breaking your bank account to get it.
Now that you've seen the top five, it's time to put them to an all out vote and determine the best.
Honorable mentions this week go out to Pioneer's Elite Series, which fell collectively just shy of making the top five. Suffice to say there are a number of you who praise Pioneer for their build quality, features, and of course, the high media quality through the receiver when everything's all hooked up. Plus, Pioneer's receivers are often more affordable (but still feature packed) when compared to the competition.
Have something to say about one of the contenders? Want to make the case for your personal favorite, even if it wasn't included in the list? Remember, the top five are based on your most popular nominations from the call for contenders thread from earlier in the week. Don't just complain about the top five, let us know what your preferred alternative is?and make your case for it?in the discussions below.
The Hive Five is based on reader nominations. As with most Hive Five posts, if your favorite was left out, it's not because we hate it?it's because it didn't get the nominations required in the call for contenders post to make the top five. We understand it's a bit of a popularity contest, but if you have a favorite, we want to hear about it. Have a suggestion for the Hive Five? Send us an email at tips+hivefive@lifehacker.com!
Photo by William Hook.
Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/lPAemAxwrQ8/five-best-av-receivers
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