Featured A/V Receiver Reviews

The Rotel RSX-1560, with class D amps, 4 HDMI inputs, and dual sub AND center channel outs certainly has a lot of bells and whistles for a more esoteric brand. With a few omissions that may scare off some, he question that needs to be answered is whether or not the RSX-1560 does what you need.

The NAD T 747 A/V receiver exemplifies their principle of simplicity, form and function while also providing the raw power to sonically please its listeners and satisfy the speakers it powers. The T 747 is fully capable of decoding all of the latest HD formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD, while also supporting legacy connections and Faroudja DCDi processing and upscaling to full 1080p resolution. With 4 HDMI inputs and 3 Component video inputs, the T 747 should provide enough connectivity to all but the most sophisticated installations.

This past year we reached a place where almost anyone can enjoy surround sound. There are two paths to home theater nirvana - or at least the start if it: a home theater-in-a-box system, or building a 5.1 or 7.1 system from quality entry level components. Yamaha's RX-V565, with its typical selling price of just $429.95 gives consumers a very inexpensive way to get into an HDMI-equipped AV receiver. The receiver has four HDMI inputs, each of which are capable of reading and decoding the new high resolution audio formats. This provides a great way to feed four components into a newer HDMI-equipped HD television. Because these HDMI inputs decode the latest HD audio formats, you can all but say goodbye to optical or multi-channel 5.1 analogue audio sources. You can also say goodbye to switching inputs on your television, should you decide to use the 1080p up-conversion that comes with this receiver.

Marantz just put the rest of the industry in checkmate when they unveiled their new SR6004 Dolby TrueHD/ DTS HD PLIIz A/V receiver. Their claim is the performance of separates components in a single box. Given their strong history towards the audio side of the A/V equation, we have little doubt that the SR6004 would disappoint. If you are a Marantz fan and are looking for the latest in A/V receiver technology in this price range, you owe it to yourself to take the SR6004 for a test drive in your own home theater system to see and hear if its the right solution for you.

This past year we reached a place where almost anyone can enjoy surround sound. There are two paths to home theater nirvana - or at least the start if it: a home theater-in-a-box system, or building a 5.1 system from quality entry level components. Yamaha's RX-V465, with its typical selling price of just $299.95 makes it one of the least expensive ways to get into an HDMI-equipped AV receiver. The receiver has four HDMI inputs, each of which are capable of reading and decoding the new high resolution audio formats. This provides a great way to feed four components into a newer HDMI-equipped HD television. Because these 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs decode the latest HD audio formats, you can all but say goodbye to optical or multi-channel 5.1 analogue audio sources.

Don't be confused by Denon's new receiver/blu-ray integrated, this is no Home Theater in a Box. The Denon S-5BD is an audiophile grade 5.1 channel surround sound receiver with advanced Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player sporting HDMI 1.4 ports, small form factor, and extreme flexibility. As you'd expect from Denon, the S-5BD is packed with all the latest technology. Aside from the HDMI 1.4 ports already mentioned the S-5BD includes support of Dolby Pro Logic IIz front height effects channels (you'll need to use the pre-outs for the surround back speakers for this feature). Onboard decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio is practically a given these days and it would make no sense for an integrated unit like the S-5BD not to have it. The Denon S-5BD BD/Receiver is scheduled for availability in March 2010 with a suggested retail price of $1,799.

This past year we reached a place where almost anyone can enjoy surround sound. There are two paths to home theater nirvana - or at least the start if it: a home theater-in-a-box system, or building a 5.1 system from quality entry level components. Yamaha's RX-V365, with its MSRP of just $249.95 makes it one of the least expensive ways to get into an HDMI-equipped AV receiver. The receiver has two HDMI inputs, and while each are merely switched inputs and don't read the new high resolution audio formats, they do provide a nice way to feed two components into a newer HDMI-equipped HD television. Because these 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs don't strip off the audio, you'll need to grab audio from either an optical or multi-channel 5.1 analogue audio source.

With a full compliment of all the latest playback formats including Audyssey DSX and Dolby PLIIz plus top of the line deinterlacing and scaling on board, the Denon AVR-4310CI has everything you'll need to build a sophisticated home theater system. Add to that multiroom support, networkability, and power reserves for all but the most demanding speakers in the largest rooms and you're basically buying a receiver that you'll be hard pressed to replace for a very long time.

When last we looked into the Pioneer looking glass, we reviewed their top of the line model, the VSX-94TXH. This newest product under review from Pioneer isn't their top of the line, but it does have some significant improvements over even last year's top of the line VSX model. Chiefly of interest are the increased number of HDMI inputs, including a front input suitable for the newest camcorders and digital cameras, and the Anchor Bay VRS video processing. The VSX-23TXH also comes certified as one of the first THX Select2 Plus A/V receivers and supports the newest high resolution audio formats. Don't get us wrong – there's not a whole lot of new innovation in this product, but given the value and the relatively low price-to-performance ratio, this A/V receiver certainly has our rapt attention.