http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/rss.xml Receivers are often the heart of a home theater system, even if less so these days. Still, we provide precise reviews of A/V receivers, measuring everything from form and function to switching and up-conversion to even plain old AM/FM reception. hourly 12 2006-12-01T00:00 http://www.audioholics.com/static/logo.jpg http://www.audioholics.com/ http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/pioneer-vsx-94txh The last Pioneer receiver review I personally did was in 2005 on an entry-level product (the VSX-815) which struck me as a good balance between available features and power. It will seem pretty obvious when I say that this flagship Elite AV receiver product trumps my last experience by quite a bit. It also, however brings a certain amount of expectation. Being a top of the line model, the VSX-94TXH has a lot of competition and is going to need to distance itself in some areas before being crowned the leader in any particular department. clint 2008-04-28T06:55:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/marantz-sr7002-hdmi There are so many features being added to AV receivers these days, it's hard to keep up - but that's what I like to call a quality problem. The real problem is discerning which of the features really matter. For those of you familiar with past Marantz products, you may be surprised to note that the company is alive and well and competing head-on with other manufacturers in the home theater market. In fact, I was as stunned as anyone when I realized the incredible potential of the SR7002. clint 2008-03-22T22:31:53+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-z11 The Yamaha RX-Z11 represents the pinnacle of technology in a flagship receiver. It’s ability to transform your listening space into a concert venue or mega Cineplex is unrivaled thanks to the powerful arsenal of DSP processing, and robust amplifier section for a full 11.2 channel spectacle. With its very clever power amp assignability and music mode distribution, it proved to be the ultimate multi channel / multi zone receiver capable of whole house entertainment and high definition A/V reproduction. Gene 2008-03-07T04:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/avr-2308ci Denon once again proved they know how to build a better receiver by staying true to their roots and delivering more than advertised power and performance, unparalleled bass management flexibility and an overall solid, time tested platform. The AVR-2308CI is certainly one of the most versatile receivers I have tested at this price range carrying over many of the great features (independent channel trims per mode, independent crossover settings per speaker group, Audyssey MultEQ, HDMI upconversion with OSD support, etc) which until only recently, were found only on their flagship products. I walked away from this review amazed by the fidelity improvement of my parents system for every seat in their theater room thanks to the Audyssey room correction and solid amplification section bestowed upon the Denon AVR-2308CI. Gene 2007-12-29T01:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/onkyo-tx-sr805 The Onkyo TX-SR805 represents the current pinnacle of value at its price point. It sounds good, decodes all the latest HD audio codecs, sports a large power supply, has an impressive feature set, THX Ultra2 certification, and Audyssey MultEQ at a price well below what the competition offers. This high level of value is not just limited to this particular model; Onkyo has spread value and features across their entire product line. Onkyo has resurged into the market as a serious player once again and clearly upped the ante with the TX-SR805. Highly recommended. david 2007-11-09T22:48:36+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-z11-first-look Yamaha has finally announced its new flagship receiver. The RX-Z11 is a 11.2 powerhouse that breaks all of boundaries of former Yamaha receivers and steps up to present more advanced features than anything else they have delivered to date. First off is the new 11.2 moniker - how can you have 11.2 in a home theater system? With a lot of DSP... clint 2007-08-06T11:50:32+00:00 Tech Article http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-avr-4308ci-first-look The Denon AVR-4308CI picks up where the AVR-4306CI left off, adding some incredible new features that will make the new "digital" age of audio and high-definition video even easier to use. The AVR-4308CI ramps up HDMI capabilities along with power, Zone 2/3 functionality, Internet streaming features and... wait for it... adds Wi-Fi capability! Now you don't have to run a cable to your receiver to enable streaming of Internet radio or music from a local PC provided you have wireless access in your room. clint 2007-07-03T12:38:09+00:00 Tech Article http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-avr-3808ci-first-look We were able to get some advance info on the upcoming Denon AVR-3808CI product being released later this month and are now able to show that info to our readers. The primary advances of the new -08 CI series is the addition of HDMI 1.3a and support for 1080p/24 as well as 1080p/60. DVD-Audio and SACD are supported as is 12-bit Deep Color. Both Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio support is provided natively through the receiver (no more PCM conversion required from the HD-DVD player). 7.1 channels of PCM 24-bit/192kHz audio is supported as well for any legacy device requirements. clint 2007-07-03T11:01:17+00:00 Tech Article http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-avr-2307ci-receiver-review When Denon adds the CI suffix to a model number, I fear most users don’t know what to think. CI? It is more expensive so it must be better right? Well, for the most part the CI (Custom Integration) adds advanced connectivity and control features. Just remember this; installers are interested in ease of use. They want the receiver to do more switching, more auto sensing, and assignable, renameable, and multiple inputs. Actually, I want that too. And so should you. So, while you may be uninterested in the RS-232 port on the back, don’t think that the CI designation isn’t for you. ‘Cause it is. tom 2007-05-10T15:40:27+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v2700-receiver-review From its powerful network features, to its ability to playback all known current source types thanks to HDMI ver.1.2a, the Yamaha RX-V2700 receiver is likely to serve as the centerpiece of a sophisticated home theater for a long time. Its audio sound quality and amplifier performance are among the best Yamaha has built to date in a sub $2k receiver. Gene 2007-03-02T10:41:41+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-adds-hdmi-1-3-to-av-receivers Denon's Jeff Talmadge is interviewed and explains the new HDMI 1.3 capabilities of Denon's upcoming AV receiver lineup. clint 2007-01-08T00:00:00+00:00 Video Spotlight http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-custom-install-ci-products Denon Electronics announced its latest programmed dubbed 'CI' which adds Custom Install functions to many of its AV receiver products. Features include such functions as remote access, configuration lock-down, and even advanced Audyssey EQ and calibration options. clint 2007-01-05T00:00:00+00:00 Video Spotlight http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/pioneer-vsx-82txs After reviewing the Pioneer VSX-516, I wasn’t expecting to see another receiver for a while. Maybe it was wishful thinking on my part as one of the more difficult pieces of equipment to take out of and install into a system is the receiver. But when Pioneer contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in taking a gander at one of their Elite receivers, what could I say? Of course! What would you say? tom 2006-10-18T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/audyssey-multeq-xt Audyssey’s MultEQ XT is a sound equalization system that’s finding its way into more and more audio-related products destined for the consumer electronics marketplace... Mark Sanfilipo 2006-09-07T00:00:00+00:00 Tech Article http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v659 The Yamaha RX-V659 sets a benchmark in receiver performance in its price class. From its raw power, capability of driving 4 ohm loads with ease, and audiophile performance, to its ease of use, chock full of useful features such as iPod connectivity, compress music enhancer and more, it remains one of the best values in affordable high performance receivers. Gene 2006-09-05T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-avr-4306 Denon’s AVR-4306 was one of the most anticipated products of the year. With the AVR-4806 being out of reach for some and the AVR-3806 being perceived as a mid-fi product, the Audiophile community had expectations of where they could find an affordable, truly powerhouse 7.1 receiver. The AVR-4306 hits what I think of as an upper-mid-fi price point desired by so many of these quality and feature-conscious consumers. I wanted to get a good look at this receiver, play around with it, and find out exactly how well it would perform (and whether or not it was worth the extra money over its best-selling nephew, the AVR-3806). clint 2006-05-29T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/pioneer-vsx-516 Budget receivers… I remember a time not so long ago that budget was synonymous with serious deficiencies. When I bought my first receiver, budget meant the difference between analogue and digital. I was broke so I had to go analogue which meant my receiver was hopelessly outdated almost immediately. Now, budget is the difference between multiple zones and number and type of connections. Sure, amp quality and power handling is a factor as well, but for most of us, there isn’t a receiver out there that can’t push our 8-ohm speakers to ear bleeding levels. You may have to do with out the automatic room calibration but the majority of reports that I’ve read indicate that such technology isn’t quite as refined as the manufacturers would have you believe. What does this boil down to? For many of us, it is possible to run around your home theater and count the number and types of connections and find a receiver that matches. Paying for additional zones and connection types (DVI, HDMI), scaling, upconverting, and other functionality may prevent premature obsolescence, but I know that for many, home theater equipment doesn’t change for a very long time following a purchase. tom 2006-05-04T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v2600 In reviewing the new Yamaha RX-V2600 I feel like I’m swearing in a new justice of the Supreme Court... After all, it’s new and exciting, but there’s also a lot of discussion and debate surrounding the newcomer. With the RX-V2600, Yamaha has entered that place where the label “AV processor” really starts to emphasize video processing. Let’s face it, while there was always plenty of audio processing going on, the “video” part of the AV equation was mostly limited to switching. No longer. clint 2006-02-21T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/sony-str-da7100es-receiver-review Sony’s ES line of products has a long heritage of being the best the company has to offer. This is the first official review of a Sony ES receiver by Audioholics so we wanted to see how their latest model, the STR-DA7100ES, compared against some of the newest competition within the market. Our focus was on usability, power handling, and features – the trinity of performance and rating criteria that are expected of any new product review. clint 2006-01-25T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v4600 With leading receiver manufacturers such as Denon, Marantz and Pioneer Elite bulldozing the competition with a line of products featuring all of the latest and greatest connectivity options, supportive formats, automatic setup & room correction, THX certification and processing, etc, it was only a matter of time before someone would shake up the status quo and offer these features in a product in the sub $2000 category. Enter the new Yamaha RX-V4600 - the 'does-everything-and-more' receiver at a price point that won't force users to refinancing their homes. Gene 2005-07-23T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/pioneer-vsx-815 It was with a desire to investigate Pioneer's new entry-level line of receivers that we requested the VSX-815. With three component video inputs, auto setup system and flexible amplifier assignments, this receiver turned out to be a solid entry-level product that is one of the best values in the industry. clint 2005-06-20T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v4600-receiver-first-look In preparation for our comprehensive review of the new Yamaha RX-V4600 A/V receiver, we thought we would give you a sneak peek at it up close and compared to the RX-V2500. Also check out the press release of the RX-V4600. Gene 2005-06-09T00:00:00+00:00 Editorial http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-avr-5805 There are pivotal moments in our society where we make quantum leaps in progress. Whether it pertains to civil rights or technology innovations to improve our lifestyle isn't the point. As a people, we strive to be better than ourselves and this may be our one endearing quality as a species which differentiates us from other primates. Ironically, this same concept can also be applied to home theater, though on a much smaller and perhaps less significant scale in the grand scheme of life. It's not often that a manufacturer makes a product under the guise of a certain category that absolutely shatters its stereotype and redefines the category or elevates it beyond the status quo. Lately, this appears to be a more common occurrence than not with Denon Electronics. Gene 2005-05-16T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v2500 2004 marked a year when SpaceShipOne broke the status quo and became the first private company to successfully launch a reusable manned vehicle into space and return it safely home. That kind of innovation and leadership garners a tremendous amount of respect. Yamaha Electronics Corporation seems to understand the importance of product innovation and leadership. With the RX-V2500, it is apparent they continue to make tremendous strides towards product improvement and the development of new technologies. clint 2004-11-02T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/harman-kardon-avr-130 A friend at work mentioned to me that he was in the market for a receiver to center his budding home theater around. He'd never had a home system, but he was ready to enhance his listening and viewing experience at his apartment. I asked what he had in mind and what he was willing to spend. "I want it to have good surround sound and I don't want to spend a lot of money" was his response. This wasn't what I'd call a very specific demand, but one that probably reflects the needs of many casual readers or home theater beginners. While I understand that big expensive blinking components are the pickup truck and pitbull for the geek set, there are those who want to begin modestly and to understand what they are seeing and hearing before they ever consider dropping some serious cash into a more powerful deck in the future. Toby Daalsgard 2004-08-19T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-RX-Z9 About a year ago, during my review of the venerable Yamaha RX-Z1 flagship A/V receiver, I stated “ Some day Yamaha is going to build a bigger, badder, and more feature packed Receiver”. Well it just so happened that day was today as evident by Yamaha's new super-receiver, the RX-Z9. For the past few years Yamaha stood idly by while their competition was duking away the right to reign supreme as the flagship receiver king. The fight involved stealing business away from the separates marketplace by offering the latest in processing power, features and configurability with integrated amplifier sections powerful enough to drive large home theater systems to theatrical levels. It was no surprise to me that Yamaha eventually would join the party by introducing a revolutionary receiver that would have its competition grasping for air playing catch up in an industry where you're only as good as your most recent accomplishment. Gene 2004-07-04T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-avr-3805 The review of the Denon AVR-3805 has been a long time in coming, but we have assembled what we hope will be an informative document that does its best to take you through what it's like to own this 7.1 receiver. Our intent is to bring you the most detailed information possible and put forth both the positive and the negatives to present a well-rounded look at this next-generation home theater control center. clint 2004-06-09T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v2400 It wasn't too long ago that I got my start in home theater with a Yamaha mid line receiver known as the RXV-992. Compared to the new RX-V2400, the RXV-992 offered less power, only five channels of amplification, no DTS, no PLII, no component video switching, and no room correction or auto set-up features, yet both carried the same retail price of $999. At the time, the RXV-992 receiver was an excellent value as few, if any, in its price class packed all of its features and performance. That was then and this is now. Gene 2003-12-08T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/onkyo-tx-sr601-6-1-home-theater-receiver With so much competition amongst mid-fi receiver manufacturers, features and usability become almost as influential as sound quality and performance when choosing a home theater solution. What determines a receiver's staying power (other than brand loyalty, of course) is the quality of sound reproduction and features that make for a successful home theater experience. With that in mind, let's take a look at one of Onkyo's newer additions to its mid-priced line-up. clint 2003-09-07T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-avr-5803 In the beginning of modern audio reproduction there was mono. Consumers were complacent with listening to AM broadcasts and their phono recordings on their large floorstanding tube based radios. Life was good. Shortly after, stereo was introduced and raised the bar on fidelity and consumer expectations of their audio systems. With the advent of the computer age (thanks to the invention of a tiny device called the transistor) we soon discovered an almost limitless frontier of multi channel audio which now seems to be evolving almost as quickly. Denon's latest super receiver appears to more than satisfy the criteria of delivering the goods, perhaps more so than much of their competition both presently and dare I say for future formats and/or digital transmission standards. Gene 2003-09-01T00:00:00+00:00 Pro Review