The Yamaha RX-V483 is the successor to last year’s noteworthy RX-V481 and the changes on this year’s model are mostly incremental. However, there have been a couple notable updates. For instance, the 483 has expanded its 4K capabilities by offering support for two additional HDR formats – Dolby Vision and Hybrid-Log Gamma.

RELATED: Yamaha RX-V383 Review

Besides this, the amp also has a solid array of networking support. Bluetooth, WiFi and AirPlay are built-in to the receiver. Throw MusicCast into the mix and the 483 starts looking like a networking dynamo. Combine all of this with its solid sound quality and the 5-channel Yamaha RX-V483 becomes a good mid-range option for many home theaters.

Yamaha RX-V483 Design

The face of the Yamaha RX-V483 isn’t as neat and tidy as some of the AV receivers I’ve reviewed, but overall it’s not too bad. The receiver has one knob on the front to control volume and a few extra buttons to control other essential functions.The 483 includes a set of quick select buttons that automatically select the correct input and DSP setting. However, chances are unless you lose the remote you’ll seldom find a reason to use these buttons.

The remote is user-friendly and easy to use. If you prefer, you can also download and install Yamaha’s free AV Control app from the iOS and Google Play stores. It basically mimics all the features of the remote except it has a jazzier interface.

Speaking of interfaces, the Yamaha RX-V483 uses a basic text driven on-screen interface. It’s not flashy, but it’s well laid out and easy to navigate. What it lacks in flare, it makes up for with pure functionality.

Connections

The Yamaha RX-V483 has nearly the same number of inputs as last year’s 481. The only difference is that the 483 has dropped one of the composite video inputs which probably won’t be a great loss to most users. Other than that, the 483 includes four RCA inputs, one optical and two coaxial digital, one USB input, a 3.5 mm jack, and one ethernet input.  In addition to these, the Yamaha RX-V483 includes four HDMI inputs and one output.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a new receiver that doesn’t include support for 4K video and the 483 is no different. It has a substantial list of UltraHD features. 60p, 4:4:4, HDCP2.2, BT.2020, HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG (Hybrid-Log Gamma) all come standard on the amp. If you’re an early adopter of this unit you may have to wait a few months for Dolby Vision and HLG as they’re not expected to be available until later in the year with a firmware update.

Networking & Wireless Features

If you step-up from the Yamaha RX-V383 to the 483 you get the added benefits of having a wireless and wired internet connection. Surprisingly, the 483 doesn’t offer support for Chromecast, but you do get Apple AirPlay. Bluetooth also comes included on this model.

Sonos was one of the first to get the ball rolling on multi-room audio and it hasn’t taken long for other companies to jump on board. Yamaha introduced their multi-room audio system MusicCast a couple of years ago and it’s been rapidly proliferating across all of their equipment. Within the MusicCast app you can pull audio from multiple streaming services such as Deezer, Spotify, Pandora, and Tidal. Overall, you don’t have a ton of streaming choices via the app which is a little disappointing since some of Yamaha’s competitors offer more options.

The real power of the MusicCast app is the ability to set up a multi-room audio system. The system essentially lets you broadcast audio from devices connected to the receiver to other compatible MusicCast speakers. As a result, you have the ability to create a whole house music system with the 483 at the heart of the whole shebang. You’re not just not limited to connected devices either. You can also send audio from one of the aforementioned streaming services to other speakers in your house via the MusicCast app.

The Yamaha 483 supports both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master audio, however, since it only has 5-channels it doesn’t support DTS:X or Dolby Atmos. If you want to setup a couple of stereo speakers in another room, you have the option to use your rear speakers as zone 2 speakers. As far as music, the receiver can decode a variety of digital audio formats, not just MP3s. DSD, AIFF, FLAC, WAV and Apple® Lossless are all on the menu.

Setup

After you pull the Yamaha RX-V483 from its cardboard container, you’ll find that the receiver is pretty easy to setup.  If you get stumped during the initial configuration you can download Yamaha’s AV setup app and it will guide you through the entire process from start to finish.

MusicCast is relatively simple to get up and running in a few minutes. My biggest gripe with the setup is that the MusicCast connect button is only located on the front of the receiver. It would be more convenient if the remote had a connect button. Once in the MusicCast app you can assign the Yamaha RX-V483 to a specific room which is especially handy if you have multiple MusicCast devices.

If you’re accustomed to setting up AV receivers you can manually configure your speaker crossovers and distances. However, most will probably want to use Yamaha’s built-in YPAO calibration system. Using YPAO is a painless quick process that only takes a few minutes to complete. Unlike other more complicated calibration systems, you’re only required to place the measurement mic at one location.

After the Yamaha RX-V483 barks out a series of test tones, YPAO automatically sets the crossover frequencies and distances for your speakers. For the most part, the settings were spot-on after I ran YPAO except for the fact that it set my front and surround channels to large. This was easily fixed in the settings menu.

Sound Quality

I was fairly impressed with the sound quality of last year’s RX-V481 and this year’s successor is pretty much on par with the previous model. The RX-V483 wasted no time asserting itself. The 5-channel amp eagerly attacked the soundtrack of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It did a solid job of steering sound around the room. Imperial Tie Fighters effortlessly zoomed from the left and right rear channels creating a convincing and enveloping soundscape.

Moving on to “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them“, the Yamaha RX-V483 proved that it had plenty of power in reserve as I cranked the volume. The amp’s sound never became strained. Dialogue was clear and crisp. When the on-screen action increased, the 483 had no problem keeping up. When compared to the RX-V383, the 483’s soundstage was wider and more cohesive. The 483 also had more punch in the low-end. Dialogue was easily intelligible even with intense on-screen craziness.

The Yamaha 483 was also no slouch in the music department. It attacked Michael Jackson’s Xscape album with intense fervor. The receiver displayed good clarity and impressive dynamic range. At mid-volume, Jackson’s vocals were warm and inviting. When I increased the volume I did notice some of that warmth diminishing. At high volume levels, the amp’s treble became slightly over accentuated. It wasn’t enough to take away from my music enjoyment, however, it was something that I felt it was important to note.

The Verdict

The Yamaha RX-V483 is a great successor to the 481. It takes everything that was great about last year’s model and adds to it. With the 483’s improved 4K HDR support, great sound quality, and reasonable price it’s hard to mount an argument against this receiver.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

The post Yamaha RX-V483 Review appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Onkyo’s Flagship 7-channel receiver this year is the TX-RZ820. When reviewing the spec sheet, this amp doesn’t skimp on features. From stem to stern it’s one of the most feature packed 7-channel receivers you’ll come across.

THX has been the measuring stick that home theater sound has been measured against for years. When you get your hands on an amp that undergoes stringent THX certification you know you have a winner on your hands. The Onkyo TX-RZ820 ran through the gauntlet of tests and came out the other side with THX Certified Select certification.

The Onkyo TX-RZ820 is rated at 130 watts per channel at 8ohms which means it should be able to power some of the most demanding home theater set-ups.

Onkyo TX-RZ820 Hook-Ups

There’s no shortage of connection choices with the 820. The 7.2 Channel receiver has a total of 7 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs. If you have a 4K TV you’ll find the Onkyo TX-RZ820 to be more than accommodating. The receiver can process all the major HDR flavors – HDR10, Dolby Vision and even HLG (Hybrid-Log Gamma). 4K/60p Pass-through, BT.2020 and HDCP 2.2 are also on the feature list. WiFi, Bluetooth and AirPlay also make it on the list. Anyone in need of legacy connection options will find them in abundance on the 820 with numerous analog audio and digital connections. For custom installs, the receiver has a 12V trigger, an RS-232 port, and an IR input/output.

For multi-zone support, the 820 has a powered zone 2 along with pre-outs for a zone 3. To help ensure audio fidelity in both zones, the Onkyo TX-RZ820 has dedicated DACs.

Audio Formats

The RZ-820 can decode the typical HD home theater formats plus it also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. If you have the right speakers, these two formats can produce a 3D-like sonic performance. The receiver can up-mix non-Atmos & DTS:X surround tracks courtesy of Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X. All told, the 820 can power a 5.2.2 speaker arrangement.

Anyone who enjoys streaming music will find that the Onkyo TX-RZ820 offers a wide range of options. Spotify, TuneIn, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora, and Chromecast are built-in to the amp. The past couple years, Onkyo has been beefing up its multi-room chops and this year, the 820 supports both DTS Play-Fi and FireConnect.

The Onkyo TX-RZ820 is available now at authorized retailers everywhere.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

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If you don’t have a lot of space for an AV receiver, then Marantz may have the solution for you. The Marantz NR1508 AV receiver is short and compact, but is also surprisingly feature rich.

The NR1508 stands just a little over 4-inches tall which means it’s about half the height of your typical AV receiver. If you’re tight on space this amp is probably your best bet. The 1508 is a 5-channel amplifier that has an estimated power output of about 50 watts per channel. This doesn’t sound like much, but other slim-line Marantz models we’ve tested have sounded much bigger than their stats indicated.

The Marantz NR1508 has 5 HDMI inputs and 1 output. It also features all the latest and greatest features that HDMI has to offer for 4K video such as: 4K/60 Hz full-rate pass-through, 4:4:4 color resolution, HDCP 2.2, HDR, BT.2020, Dolby Vision compatibility, and Hybrid Log Gamma. Despite its small stature, the 1508 has a fair amount of analog and digital inputs as well as USB and Ethernet. If you prefer a wireless connection, the Marantz NR1508 has both WiFi and Bluetooth built-in.

Denon’s HEOS multi-room audio system is included on the Marantz NR1508. Through the app you can access multiple streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn Internet Radio, Amazon Music, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, Sound Cloud, Tidal, Napster, and Deezer. For music the 1508 can decode traditional MP3s as well as an impressive selection of HD formats including ALAC, FLAC, WAV lossless files up to 24-bit/192-kHz, and DSD 2.8MHz/5.6MHz tracks.

The 1508 is designed to be as easy as possible to get up and running. The amp has color coded speaker terminals along with matching labels to aid in hook-up. The receiver also has an on board setup assistant that will walk you through configuring the  receiver from start to finish.

The Marantz NR1508 is surprisingly feature rich for its size. Considering Marantz is known for having some of the best sounding AV equipment on the market, we’d be surprised if the 1508 fell short in the audio department. The Marantz NR1508 is available at authorized retailers everywhere.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

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The Denon AVR-X2400H is the latest amp to grace Denon’s IN-Command line. The 2400H is designed to be 4K video capable. As such, it supports a number of 4K HDR formats. Of course, the main purpose of any AV receiver is to decode audio and this amp does not disappoint in that regard either. The receiver decodes a host of hi-res music files as well as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X home theater formats.

Denon AVR-X2400H Connectivity

The 7.2 channel Denon AVR-X2400H has enough connection options for the majority of home theater owners. The amp has an ample supply of analog and digital inputs. It also includes a couple legacy component inputs for good measure.

Most home theater users will probably use the 2400H’s HDMI inputs of which it has plenty. In total, it has 8 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs. The amp’s inputs are 4K compatible and support the latest and greatest features that 4K has to offer. BT.2020, 60Hz video, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and 21:9 video are all supported. A couple different flavors of HDR have emerged and the 2400H supports most of them including Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma. HLG is expected to be unlocked later-on in the year with a firmware update. The receiver not only can pass through a 4K signal, but it can also upscale video to near 4K quality. For multi-zone audio, the Denon AVR-X2400H allows you to run a stereo pair of speakers in a separate room.

Being that the 2400H is a member of Denon’s IN-Command line, it has a number of convenient features for custom installers. The receiver includes IP controls and Control4 SDDP (Simple Device Detection Protocol) certification for integration with Control4 home automation equipment. A RS-232 serial port is included to facilitate direct equipment connections. Last, but not least, the amp also has an IR (infrared) remote control input on its rear.

Wireless & Networking Features

The Denon AVR-X2400H has both Bluetooth and WiFi built-in. The amp also comes loaded with Denon’s HEOS multi-room system pre-installed. If you’ve invested in Denon’s HEOS speakers you can funnel audio to those speakers from devices connected to the receiver.

Since the X2400H is a “connected” receiver, there are a host of streaming internet music services to choose from. TuneIn, Spotify, Pandora, and SiriusXM are all included. If you have an iOS device, the amp also supports Apple AirPlay.

Audio Formats

The Denon AVR-X2400H is no slouch in the audio format department. As far as music, it decodes MP3s, FLAC HD 192/24, WAV 192/24, ALAC 96/24, WMA, and AAC. For home theater, the receiver supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X in conjunction with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. For Atmos and DTS:X the amp will support a 5.1.2 speaker arrangement.

The Denon AVR-X2400H is available now at authorized retailers everywhere.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

The post Denon AVR-X2400H Preview appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Yamaha, like Onkyo, likes to load up its receivers with features. The 7-channel RX-V583 is the step-down model from the Yamaha RX-V683, but it’s no slouch in the features department. The amp has MusicCast, AirPlay, WiFi, and Bluetooth built-in. It also decodes both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X home theater formats.  If that’s not enough, it offers full 4K support with HDR, HDCP 2.2 and more….whew!  With its combo of features and solid performance, the 583 is more than ready to take on the competition from Sony, Denon, Onkyo, and Pioneer.

Appearance

I would like to tell you that the Yamaha RX-V583 has a brand new design that’s a huge departure from last year’s model, but I would be lying. The truth is, it’s nearly identical to last year’s RX-V581. The 583 is your basic black AV receiver box. The bottom half has a brushed aluminum finish with a large volume knob on the right. The face of the receiver has the usual compliment of buttons including a series of 4 scene select buttons which allows you to quickly choose an input and DSP setting. The receiver also has a headphone jack, a 3.5mm input, and a USB port conveniently located on the front.

The Yamaha RX-V583 has a no-frills text driven user interface, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Navigating the menus are quick and easy thanks to its intuitive layout. I’ve criticized Yamaha’s button-riddled remotes in the past, but the simple layout of the 583’s gave me no reason to complain. In addition to the remote, Yamaha also offers an app which is a free download on Android and iOS devices. If you want a little more eye candy this will probably suffice. Besides looking pretty, the app is pretty powerful. Not only can you control nearly all of the settings of the amp, but additionally, you can customize the receivers sound by playing around with the DSP settings.

Connections

The Yamaha 583 has an OK, but not great selection of connection choices. The amp has 3 analog audio inputs and three digital (2 coaxial and 1 optical). If you need component inputs you’ll need to look somewhere else. A front USB input makes it convenient to connect a music player or a thumb drive that’s loaded up with music. It also has 4 HDMIs which isn’t a lot especially when you consider that the entry-level Yamaha RX-V383 comes with the same amount. However, if you have a 4K TV these HDMIs have most of the goodies you’re looking for such as 60 frames per second 4K pass-through, HDCP 2.2, BT.2020, HDR with Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma support. Basically, if you have a 4K TV all these little doodads mean your image should be richer and brighter.

Remember the days when networked AV receivers were a rarity. Those days are long gone. While most entry-level receivers are still waiting for networking features to trickle down to them, when you hit mid-level amps like the Yamaha RX-V583, it’s practically a requirement. In fact, when first booting up the 583 one of the first thing the amp prompts you to do is setup the network. If you have a newer Apple device the 583 can easily copy your WiFi settings and be on your network in no time. Along with WiFi, the 583 also has Bluetooth, AirPlay and a port for wired ethernet connections. Throw-in DLNA compatibility and you can stream audio from a multitude of devices such as smartphones, laptops or network attached storage devices.

Internet Streaming & Multi-Room Audio

With the Yamaha RX-V583’s networking acumen you can pull audio from a variety of online streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora, Tidal and Deezer. The 583 is also part of Yamaha’s MusicCast ecosystem. If you have MusicCast compatible speakers in your home it’s possible to zap audio from the 583 to those speakers simply by pressing the link icon in the app.

Audio Formats

The Yamaha RX-V583 picks-up bonus points because of the sheer number of audio formats it can decode. For music, it can handle MP3, DSD, AIFF, FLAC, WAV, and Apple Lossless.  And for home theater, the 7-channel receiver decodes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X also come along for the ride. In total, the Yamaha 583 can power a 5.1.2 configuration for both of these formats.

Setup

Yamaha has one of the fastest and easiest auto calibrations around. Their YPAO calibration system only requires you to place the included microphone in one location. The amp uses a series of test tones to set the correct speaker crossovers, distances, and levels. One word of caution. As is the case with most auto calibration systems, YPAO isn’t infallible. In my case, it set the surrounds and front left/right channels to full range. After calibration, I went into the settings menu and set the crossovers to a THX recommended 80Hz. One nice feature is that if you have an Atmos/DTS:X arrangement, the amp allows you to specify one of three speaker patterns – overhead, front height or Dolby enabled in the setup menu.

The receiver doesn’t hold your hand through the setup process. However, if you run into trouble, Yamaha provides an AV setup app that will walk you through the necessary connections and configurations. The one caveat is that the app only works on tablets which is a bit of a bummer for anyone without a tablet sized device.

Sound Quality

Yamaha’s amps are known for delivering dynamic performances. Be it an entry-level receiver like the RX-V383 or a top-of-the-line amp in the Aventage series, Yamaha’s receivers usually deliver the goods.

John Wick Chapter 2, like its predecessor, has a more subdued Dolby Atmos soundtrack than some movies, but it shouldn’t be underestimated. The Yamaha RX-V583 growled to life almost immediately as John Wick’s car rumbled onto the screen. During the firefight inside the catacombs beneath Rome, bullets ricocheted and echoed from all directions.

Firing up Superman – Man of Steel on Blu-ray, the Yamaha RX-V583 delivered a fantastic spacial performance from the opening scene to the last. When the Man of Steel battled Zod’s Kryptonian lackeys in Smallville, every punch, explosion, and bullet was expertly placed in space. Bass was punchy and visceral. The 583’s low-frequency reproduction gave the movie’s soundtrack weight and solidity.

The 583’s treble and mid-range performance matched its meaty bass response. Dialogue was clean and clear. In testing out the amp it was clear to me that the 583 is slightly better for movies than music. While vocals sounded natural coming from the amp there was a slight disconnect between the amp’s upper mid-range and treble. This was more noticeable at high volume levels, however, it didn’t take away from my overall music enjoyment.

The Verdict

The Yamaha RX-V583 is a thrilling movie performer with solid music streaming and multi-room capabilities. It falls slightly short in its musical performance, but not by much. The 583 isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely on par with competing mid-range amps.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

The post Yamaha RX-V583 Review appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Denon is prepping another 7-channel AV receiver to launch and this one appears to be loaded to the gills with features. The new Denon AVR-X3400H supports the latest object based surround formats and is equipped to tackle the latest and greatest 4K video standards.

The 3400H’s discrete amplifier design can push approximately 105 watts per channel. The 3400 is equipped to decode the latest home theater formats including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.  The amp can support a 5.1.2 speaker arrangement if it’s used for these object based surround sound formats.

The X3400 uses 32-bit AKM digital to analog converters on all channels to ensure high fidelity and channel matching. And for music, the receiver decodes an array of lossless audio files such as ALAC, FLAC, WAV (24-bit/196-kHz), and DSD (2.8/5.6-MHz).

One look at the back of the Denon AVR-X3400H and you can tell it’s no slouch in the connectivity department. Along with its numerous analog, component and digital ports, the amp also has 8 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs.

4K video has gone from being an optional feature on AV receivers to being a must have item. The 8 HDMIs of the 3400H support HDCP 2.2, BT.2020, wide color gamut, and 4:4:4 color sub-sampling. Arguably, the biggest standout feature of UHD video is HDR or High Dynamic Range video. HDR delivers an image that has better contrast and deeper richer colors. The 3400 supports both Dolby Vision and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) flavors of HDR.

The Denon AVR-X3400H has WiFi and Bluetooth built-in. And of course, with that, you get an entire host of music streaming choices. Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Prime Music, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, SoundCloud, Napster, Deezer, Tidal, and TuneIn Internet Radio aall come wrapped inside the black metal box.

Thanks to Denon’s HEOS multi-room system, the 3400 can also act as the hub of your audio entertainment. With HEOS you can stream music to other HEOS equipped speakers throughout your home giving you a true multi-room audio system. In September Denon plans to release a firmware update that will give you hands-free control of the receiver via voice commands courtesy of Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant.

For custom integrations, the 3400H has a good set of tools. The amp can be controlled via IP and is also Control4 SDDP certified which should allow it to easily integrate with Control4 home automation equipment. In addition, the receiver also has a RS-232C serial port as well as an IR (infrared) remote control input.

The Denon AVR-X3400H is available now at various retailers.

The post Denon AVR-X3400H Preview – Ready for 4K, Atmos & More appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

For a few years in a row Sony’s AV receivers were consistently near the top of the list. Last year, they fell behind the competition a little when they didn’t include Atmos or DTS:X. This year both features are available on the Sony STR-DN1080 along with a host of other sought after home theater features.

The 1080, like most AV receivers, is a thick chunky black box. Its midsection is bisected by a thin glossy strip that houses the amps main indicator display. The buttons on the front of the receiver are thin slivers which don’t take up much real estate on the receiver’s face. The end result is that the amp has a sleeker look than most.

The on-screen interfaces on Sony’s amps have come a long way. In my opinion, no other AV manufacturer has a better graphical interface than Sony.  The Sony STR-DN1080’s menu is a breath of fresh air. Huge easy to read tiles greet you once you boot-up the menu. The remote is just as simple and intuitive. Sony doesn’t want or try to make it a universal remote. Because of this, the remote is completely void of button clutter.

RELATED: Yamaha RX-V583 Review

Connections

Times are changing. Legacy connections are slowly dying and this fact has never been more apparent than when you peer around the back of the 1080. It has a handful of RCA inputs along with one digital coaxial and one optical. Component inputs are slowly going away and not just on the 1080. Most mid-range receivers have been kicking these inputs to the curb so it’s not surprising that the Sony 1080 has none. Anyone thinking of picking-up this unit will want to keep that in mind. The amp also includes built-in WiFi and Bluetooth along with an ethernet port on the back to facilitate wired network connections.

The Sony STR-DN1080 has a total of six HDMI hookups and two outputs so that you can enjoy audio & video in a second room. The inputs support the latest 4K goodies –  60p 4:4:4, HDCP 2.2, and the three flavors of HDR (HDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma, and Dolby Vision).

Sony STR-DN1080 Streaming & Multi-Room

On the surface, it doesn’t seem that the 1080 gives you a lot of streaming options. Once you get into the menu, you only see tiles for two choices – Spotify and Chromecast built-in. However, if you have an Android device it’s possible to zap audio from an astonishing number of music apps via Chromecast built-in. For iOS devices, the Sony STR-DN1080 is AirPlay compliant so any music streaming app you have on your iPhone or iPod can be used to send audio to the amp. You can also transmit music to the receiver over your network from a PC or NAS device.

Sony’s multi-room audio system SongPal has been rebranded and is now called Music Room. I personally never liked the SongPal moniker and was never a huge fan of the app itself. However, with the new name, Sony has also updated the interface. Similar to Yamaha’s MusicCast, Music Room is designed to let you setup multiple speakers in different areas of your home and then send audio to each.

The 1080 is also compatible with Google’s little Home speaker. Unfortunately, we didn’t have one on hand to test, but according to Sony, it’s possible to control some of the functions of the receiver with voice commands via the Google Home speaker.

Audio Formats

Sony has been a big supporter of hi-res music, so it’s not too surprising that the 1080 can decode an array of music files – DSD, ALAC, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, and of course MP3. You can send music encoded in these formats over your network or make a direct connection to the amp via the front USB port.

Last year, it was a little disappointing that Sony missed the boat on Atmos and DTS:X, but that’s not the case this year. The Sony STR-DN1080 supports both formats and can power speakers in a 5.1.2 arrangement. If you look around the net you’ll see people criticizing 7 channel amps for not supporting additional height channels for Atmos and DTS:X (i.e. a 5.1.4 setup). I’m not one of them. At the Sony 1080’s price point, only so much tech can be crammed into it without raising the price. In my opinion, if you want to run a 5.1.4 arrangement the solution is simple. Go buy a more expensive amp.

Setup

Speaker calibration with the Sony STR-DN1080 is pretty much the same as it is with other home AV amps. After you plug-in the provided microphone, the 1080 belches out a series of test tones that it uses to set the proper speaker distances, levels, and crossovers. Most AV makers use a mono microphone for calibration, however, Sony’s gone a different route by using a stereo mic.

Overall, the calibration was pretty accurate. However, despite the stereo mic, the Sony 1080 like most calibration systems set my front speakers to full range. At this point, it’s habitual for me to go in and adjust the settings on nearly every amp I test. I suggest you also do the same since very few calibration systems manage to get the settings just right.

Something that’s plagued home theater owners for years has been speaker placement.  AV makers have made strides to address this. The Sony STR-DN1080 employs two solutions depending on your speaker layout. If you only have 5 speakers but want the expanded sound of a 7-channel setup, the 1080 has a phantom channel option which simulates the presence of physical surround speakers. Alternatively, the 1080 also has a front surround feature that can mimic surround sound with only 2 front channels. When I tested the phantom setup, sound did seemingly emanate from non-existent surround speakers on several occasions. The front surround was a little less convincing for me, but it did provide a wide soundstage. In practice, neither of these two features are replacements for a true 7-channel surround system. Nonetheless, if you’re one many people that’s plagued with speaker placement issues, both of these solutions are good alternatives.

Sound Quality

I’ve been a fan of the sound of Sony AV receivers for a few years now and was a bit disappointed when they didn’t include Dolby Atmos or DTS:X in last year’s mid-tier amps. But, I’ll say this, if you’ve been waiting to pick-up a Sony amp with Atmos and DTS:X capabilities, then wait no more. Because Sony’s knocked it out of the park with the Sony STR-DN1080.

From the get-go, the receiver displayed beautiful dynamics across the board. Transformers: Age of Extinction which is one of my go-to Atmos movies, was almost startling in its sound quality. The audio was all encompassing and 3-dimensional in its delivery. The only receiver I’ve listened to recently that delivered 3-D sound better than the 1080 was the Integra DRX-R1 and it cost nearly 5X more. The 1080’s detailed delivery was omnipresent. Every whir, clank, and clunk was easily discernable.

King Kong: Skull Island was the next movie to get some time on the Sony 1080 and again Sony’s amp delivered the goods. Kong’s roar enveloped my listening space. Bass was detailed and thunderous. As the beleaguered and beaten team of humans stumbled through the lush foliage of the jungle, the sound of rustling leaves and cracking branches pulled me deeper into the flick.

For music, the STR-DN1080 had plenty of dynamic range. Bass was tight and punchy. Treble was crisp without being sharp. Even when I cranked the volume it never ventured into “Bright” territory. It maintained its consistency no matter how low or how high I had the volume.

The Verdict

It took some time for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to arrive on a Sony mid-range amp, but it was worth the wait. The Sony STR-DN1080 is among the best we’ve listened to this year. Combine this with its solid feature set and you have a receiver that’s the total package.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

The post Sony STR-DN1080 Review appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Yamaha has been at the top of their game the past few years. Sooner or later you expect them to have a misstep or two. However, that hasn’t happened yet. So far, we’ve reviewed three of this year’s models: the RX-V383, RX-V483, and the RX-V583 and none of them have disappointed. The Yamaha RX-V683 currently sits at the top of the RX line and like the previous models we’ve tested, it’s a great amalgam of features and performance.

Yamaha RX-V683 Design

Yamaha has maintained a consistent look across all of their amps for the past several years. The RX-V683 has a brushed aluminum treatment on the bottom half of its face. The top half is dominated by an easy to read, blue LED screen. You will find a little more button clutter on the face of the 683 than other receivers, but it’s not too noticeable. Once you place the receiver on a shelf or AV rack, the buttons just fade away.

Unfortunately, the button clutter also extends to the remote of the 683. Unlike the previous RX receivers we’ve tested, the remote of the Yamaha RX-V683 is a bit over-stuffed with buttons and takes a little while to get used to. In this regard, I wish that Yamaha would take a page from Onkyo’s and Sony’s playbooks and pare back the buttons a little. Yamaha’s AV Controller app allows you to use your smartphone as a remote. Via the app you can control most of the receiver’s features thru its slick interface. The onscreen menus are basically unchanged from last year’s model. They’re not as fancy as Sony’s GUI, but they get the job done.

Connectivity

HDMI, which delivers both audio and video, has supplanted many of the analog audio/video connectors we used to see. Despite this, the 683 has a couple RCA audio jacks and dedicated phono connectors for a turntable. It also has two coaxial and two optical digital inputs. Component inputs are slowly going extinct on mid-range amps, but you do get one on the 683. However, if you compare the 683 to last year’s 681, it comes up a little short with these legacy connections which could be a deal breaker for some.

For home automation scenarios, the 683 also has a 12V trigger and a remote IR input/output. The speaker connections receive a slight upgrade this year. All of them use 5-way binding posts, in contrast to last year’s model which only used spring clips for the Zone 2 speakers.

The 683 has a total of 6 HDMI hookups and 2 outputs. If you have a 4K TV or plan on upgrading to one soon, the Yamaha RX-V683 is in good shape to tackle UHD video. The HDMIs support most of the key 4K talking points. HDCP 2.2 and 4K video at 60/fps are both supported. High Dynamic Range video (HDR) is the “it” feature this year. The 683 is compatible with three different flavors of HDR – HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma.

An ethernet port allows for wired network connections, however, most will probably decide to use the Yamaha 683’s built-in WiFi. In addition to WiFi, the Yamaha RX-V683 also allows for two-way Bluetooth communication. This means you can not only send a Bluetooth signal to the 683, but you can also send audio from the 683 to a set of Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

Streaming & Multi-Room

MusicCast is Yamaha’s pride and joy and for good reason. The app has grown more powerful since its launch. If you have MusicCast compatible speakers planted around your home, you can broadcast audio from the 683 to any of those devices.

The app plays host to a substantial list of streaming services including Tidal, Deezer, Spotify, Napster, SiriusXM, and Pandora. However, one thing won’t see on the 683 is Chromecast built-in.  You can also stream music directly from your mobile device. If you happen to have an Apple handset or iPod, you can use AirPlay to send your tunes to the amp as well.

Setup

Yamaha uses their YPAO system for speaker calibration and it’s just as fast and easy as ever to use. Calibrating our system took only a couple minutes from start to finish. The 7-channel 683 is capable of pushing about 90 watts of power with 2-channels driven at 8 0hms. You can use two of its 7-channels for overhead or Atmos speakers. During setup you can select the type of speaker layout you’re using such as overhead, front height, or Dolby enabled. WiFi is easy to implement on the receiver, especially if you have an iOS device. If you do, you can easily copy your WiFi settings over to the Yamaha RX-V683 .

Speaker placement is the bane of many home theater enthusiasts. To remedy this, Yamaha uses magic to create surround sound without speakers present. Ok, not really, but it can sometimes seem like magic. Virtual Cinema Front lets you place your speakers in the front of the room and then the receiver bounces sound off your walls. The reflected sound can sometimes give the impression that you have surround speakers present. Virtual Cinema DSP behaves similarly, however it manages to achieve a similar effect with only two front channels. While this tech isn’t perfect, it does deliver an expansive sound field. If you’re lucky, sometimes an occasional sound or two will pop-up behind or next to your listening spot mimicking surround sound.

Sound Quality

One of the first movies I tasked the Yamaha RX-V683 with was Ghost in the Shell. I somehow missed this movie in the theater, but I heard it had a great action packed sound track. Since the audio was encoded in Dolby Atmos it seemed like the perfect test for the 683.

The Atmos sound track kicked into high gear on the Yamaha RX-V683 almost immediately. Bullets did a 3D sonic dance around our listening space. One of the first times that we see Scarlet Johansson’s character Major in action, she comes crashing through a window. The glass sparkled with 3-dimensional detail as it shattered. As you can probably tell, the 683 had no problem placing sound effects in 3-dimensional space. However, Atmos was more impressive when the protagonists were walking the futuristic city streets. The high-tech streets are dotted with towering 3-dimensional holographic advertisements. The audio from these giant ads and busy streets rose high overhead thanks to the Atmos soundtrack.

With music, the Yamaha RX-V683 was a solid if not spectacular performer. Vocals were clear and precise. Tonally, the amp has a very neutral sound with very little coloration. The 683 delivered just enough bass for Lorde’s Glory & Gore sound track without over doing it. As with most of Yamaha’s amps, you can try various pre programmed DSP settings for music such a Vienna or Munich Music Hall. I can’t say that I enjoy any of these presets and it makes me wonder if anyone truly uses them. Two channel stereo or seven channel playback typically ends up being my listening mode of choice.  If you’re streaming music to the Yamaha 683, (and in this day and age most of us do) I recommend using Yamaha’s music enhancer. While it won’t raise compressed music to HD levels, it does add more body and fullness to these tracks.

The Verdict

The Yamaha RX-V683 didn’t give us a whole lot to complain about. The amp has most of the tech you’d expect to find in a mid-priced AV receiver. The biggest gripe we had was its lack of legacy connections. However, for most people, the number of component or RCA inputs a receiver has will probably rank pretty low on the list of must-haves.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

The post Yamaha RX-V683 Review appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Onkyo has a track record that’s tough to beat. Their amps are consistently near the top of the AV receiver heap. However, the competition is tough this year.  Nearly every AV receiver today delivers solid sound quality, so what typically separates the best from the rest is their list of features. This is an area where Onkyo typically excels. The Onkyo TX-NR676 has nearly every option you’d expect to see on a mid-range receiver. From 4K video support, to multi-room audio and internet streaming, this receiver pretty much has it all.

Visually, the Onkyo TX-NR676 is the standard Onkyo affair. It’s big, blocky and bulky. If Marantz’s slim line receivers are a greyhound, then Onkyo’s 676 is a Great Dane. What it lacks in grace, it makes up for in form and function. If you lose the remote, the face of the 676 has most of the buttons you need to control the receiver including volume, input select, tone controls etc. The front display screen may not be fancy, but it’s easy to read which is pretty much all you need from an AV receiver.

The menu on the Onkyo TX-NR676 is clean, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. It’s a far cry from the stark menus that Onkyo used to ship their amps with. It’s honestly hard to find fault with it.

The remote is your typical black slab of plastic, but it’s incredibly easy to use with an over-sized volume button taking center stage. Onkyo did a good job of only incorporating the essentials on the remote and I for one hope we never see a return to the bulky scientific calculator style remotes of previous years.

Onkyo TX-NR676 Connectivity

Onkyo is never shy about loading up their amps with inputs and the 676 is no different. The receiver gives you an ample supply of RCA, component, and digital inputs. The 676 also has a zone 2 line-out if you want to setup stereo speakers in another room as well as a dedicated phono input. The amp includes an ethernet port for wired network services as well as built-in WiFi for wireless connections.

Added to the mix are 7 HDMI 4K compatible inputs and 2 outputs. The HDMIs support HDR 10, HDCP 2.2, Dolby Vision, and BT.2020. Essentially, this means that the 676 is more than ready to connect to the new batch of 4K TVs that are currently on the market.

Features

The Onkyo TX-NR676 is rated at 100 watts per channel (with 2 channels driven). In total, the 676 can drive a 7.2 channel system. Since it also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, you can use two of those channels to power overhead or elevations speakers in a 5.2.2 setup.

Internet streaming has changed the way we consume music and Onkyo, along with most AV manufacturers, has fully embraced this new paradigm. The Onkyo TX-NR676 supports a long list of services including Deezer, Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, and Tidal. AirPlay and Bluetooth also give you two additional methods to send music to the amp.

Once we got the 676 on our network, the most recent firmware update from Onkyo unlocked Chromecast built-in on the receiver. With Chromecast built-in you can easily stream from smartphones, tablets, and PCs. If you have multiple Chromecast compatible speakers around your home (e.g. Google Home), you can easily create your own multi-room sound system. The fun doesn’t just stop with Chromecast built-in. The Onkyo TX-NR676 also includes support for DTS PlayFi and FireConnect. Both multi-room protocols allow you to stream audio from components connected via different sources. Between the two, PlayFi is the more proven technology as there are more devices on the market that support the protocol. FireConnect is a bit of a wildcard right now. Until there are more products on the market, it’s difficult to say how useful it will be in the future. Oddly enough it feels like we’ve been saying this for the past two years so if it hasn’t taken off yet, I have to wonder if it ever will.

Setup

Upon first powering up the Onkyo 676, the amp’s high-def graphics will guide you through the initial setup process from connecting your components to calibration. Onkyo uses their own calibration system called AccuEQ which can also account for up-firing height speakers. Calibration is relatively painless and is wrapped up in about 5-10 minutes. We did have an issue where the 676 set our crossovers exceptionally high at 200Hz across the board. We rectified this by adjusting the crossover settings in the main menu once calibration was complete.

Sound Quality

Our first test for the Onkyo TX-NR676 was Warcraft on Blu-Ray. At one point in the movie, a group of humans is ambushed by a ferocious horde of Orcs. It’s at this time that the Archmage Medivh summons a forcefield comprised of crackling lightning.  Electricity seemingly rained down from the ceiling thanks to the 676’s command of the overhead height channels. On screen battles were joyously chaotic with the sounds of clanging swords echoing around the room.

Guardians of the Galaxy  Vol 2. is just as fun to listen to as it is to watch. Its throw-back sound track gave us a taste of the Onkyo 676’s musical chops. The receiver’s performance was crisp and detailed, especially with vocal performances. When we cued up the Knife’s “Silent Shout”, the 676 had no problem handling the electronic track along with the underlying bass beats.

In typical Onkyo fashion, the 676 doesn’t hold back in the bass department. Switching back to movie watching, we pulled up Ghost in the Shell on Blu-Ray. During the climactic final battle, bullets whizzed around and landed with a satisfactory thud.  As Major (Scarlet Johannson) was nearly blown to bits by a multi-legged, mechanized behemoth, the explosions were brutal and visceral.

One thing we did note with the 676, is that while it delivers an impressively detailed performance if you have bright sounding speakers the amp can be a little unforgiving. The end result is that higher frequencies may sound a little harsh. Luckily, on the Onkyo 676, you can tailor its equalizer settings which may soften the blow a bit.

The Verdict

As is usually the case with Onkyo amps, the TX-NR676 isn’t short on features. It’s about as future proof as you can get at this price point. Audio wise it has good sound quality, but if you have bright sounding speakers, partner them carefully with the 676. Because of this, the amp is just a notch below our favorite receiver so far this year, the Sony STR-DN1080.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

The post Onkyo TX-NR676 Review appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Denon amps historically strike a balance between affordability and performance. The Denon AVR -S730H is their latest av receiver to attempt this delicate balancing act and for the most part, it succeeds. The 7.2 channel amp checks off most of the important boxes. It has Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Bluetooth, WiFi, and HEOS Multi-room. When you take all of these pieces and fuse them with its solid sound quality, you have a home theater package that’s tough to beat.

Denon AVR-S730H Design

The front panel of the 730H is by no means intimidating. Some of my AV receivers from several years ago were chock full of buttons, but the 730’s face is down right minimal compared to some of those. The amp does have a series of input and sound mode buttons on the front. While they’re definitely convenient, there’s virtually no reason to use them unless you lose the remote. In addition, Denon also provides an app that’s available in the Apple and Google Play stores which can act as a replacement for the remote if disaster strikes.

The on screen menu of the Denon AVR-S730H won’t win any design awards. It’s your basic black screen with white text. It’s not fancy, but it is easy to navigate. The 730H comes partnered with a very simple remote with large buttons. The remotes of year’s past nearly required a Ph.D. to operate, however, Denon stuck only the essential buttons on the 730’s remote making it a breeze to use.

Connectivity

The Denon AVR-S730H has a solid amount of connection choices including a few analog and digital inputs. WiFi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay also come included on the amp. Along the top of the back panel, the 730H has a row of five HDMI inputs and one output. An additional input on the front brings the amp’s total number of HDMIs to six. All of the HDMIs support 4K Ultra HD video, HDCP 2.2, HDR, Dolby Vision, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), and BT.2020.

Audio Formats

If you’re aching to get your hands on an affordable Dolby Atmos or DTS:X receiver, the 730H could be a good option since it supports both formats. It can power two overhead channels. Although, in order to do so you’ll need to sacrifice your surround back channels. For music, the receiver can decode MP3, WMA, ALAC, FLAC, DSD and WAV formats. A front USB plug makes it possible to connect an external hard drive or thumb drive loaded up with music. Alternatively, you can stream music over your network.

Multi-room Audio

The Denon AVR-S730H has Denon’s multi-room HEOS music system built-in. The app supports an impressive list of streaming services including Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn Internet radio, Amazon Prime Music, iHeart Radio, Sirius XM, Sound Cloud, Tidal, Rhapsody and Deezer. If you have HEOS speakers, you can stream music from any of these services to other HEOS compatible speakers. The HEOS app has improved over the past couple years and is more user-friendly than ever, however, it still slightly lags behind some of the competition. There’s a slight learning curve with the app, but once you get used to it, it’s pretty powerful.

Setup

The 7.2 channel Denon AVR-S730H is capable of pushing about 75 watts of power per channel. It’s not a powerhouse, but it definitely has enough juice for the majority of home theaters.

The Denon AVR-S730H relies on Audyssey’s MulitEQ room correction. After you start the calibration sequence, the receiver prompts you to place the included microphone at six locations. The receiver then blasts out a series of test tones that it uses to calibrate the speakers in your setup while also accounting for your room’s acoustic signature. All in all, the entire process takes under 15 minutes to perform. With the exception of Audyssey setting our front speakers to full-range, calibration was a success for the most part.

Sound Quality

All the tech specs above are all fine and dandy, but the real question is – how does it sound? In a word, it sounds really good. It doesn’t sound quite as good as the Sony STR-DN1080 or the Yamaha RX-V583, but it’s close…real close.

The first Blu-ray we tested the 730H with was Pacific Rim. This movie can come across slightly cheesy, but it does have a solid sound track. The Denon AVR-S730H easily kept up with the movies robust sound track. From the first Kaiju appearance to the last, the 730 pretty much nailed it. Every punch and body slam was joyously impactful.

For our Atmos test, we cued up Transformers Age of Extinction on Blu-ray. The one scene I always look forward to in this movie takes place towards the end. In this scene, Lockdown turns his alien ship into a giant magnet and begins yanking every metallic object he finds off the ground. The overhead effects in this scene are impressive. As soon as Lockdown began his assault, I could hear the hum of the magnet appear overhead and gradually grow in strength and intensity. The 730H created a sonic 3D bubble that enveloped my listening space and made the movie more engaging.

For music, the Denon AVR-S730H was a competent performer. I can’t say I was blown away, but it definitely holds its ground with other competing AV receivers. It displayed good detail in the upper frequencies and good overall dynamics.

When comparing the 730H to the Yamaha RX-V583, the Yamaha sounded slightly more detailed. Also, to our ear, the 730H didn’t quite match the Sony STR-DN1080’s wide sound stage. It was close, but the 1080 was slightly superior.

The Verdict

Denon managed to cram an ample list of features inside the AVR-S730H. For the price, the 730 is an excellent value. With 4K support, Atmos, DTS:X, Bluetooth and Multi-room capabilities it’s nearly the total package.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

The post Denon AVR-S730H Review appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Onkyo has just revealed a new entry in their RZ line-up – the TX-RZ920. On paper, this amp is loaded with a number of highly sought after features from Dolby Atmos to 4K video. It’s rated at about 135 watts per channel and can power 9 speakers and 2 subwoofers. In the case of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the 920 can be configured in a 5.2.4 speaker arrangement.

The Onkyo TX-RZ920 comes loaded with connection choices including analog, composite, digital, ethernet, and USB inputs. For vinyl enthusiasts, the 920 also has a phono input. A row of seven 4K ready HDMI inputs line the top row of the amp. For good measure, Onkyo throws-in an additional HDMI input on the front. These inputs support most of the current 4K standards – HDCP 2.2, HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), Dolby Vision, and BT.2020.

Every AV maker has been upping their wireless game lately and Onkyo seems prepped to jump to the head of the class. The 920 comes with 2.4 and 5GHz WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth, Chromecast built-in, and Apple AirPlay. All of this means that you can easily stream music over your network or from a multitude of online streaming services.

To extend its functionality further, the Onkyo TX-RZ920 incorporates two multi-room audio formats in DTS Play-Fi and FireConnect. With both of these systems, audio from components connected to the 920 can be transmitted to speakers in different rooms.

The Onkyo TX-RZ920 is expected to be released this month with an MSRP of $1600.

The post The Onkyo TX-RZ920 is a Multimedia Powerhouse appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Pioneer VSX-832 Design

The Pioneer VSX-832 is your typical modern receiver. A decade or so ago the front of most AV receivers was chock full of buttons and knobs. Today’s amps are cleaner and sleeker with less button clutter. The face of the 832 is dominated by the large volume and input select knobs positioned on the right and left sides of the receiver.

Since Pioneer and Onkyo merged a couple years ago we’ve seen both companies make progress with simplifying their equipment. The one area you notice this the most is with their remotes. They no longer look like scientific calculators. In the case of the 832’s remote, it only has the essential buttons. As an alternative to the remote, you can use the AV control app that Pioneer offers. The app, which is a free download from the iOS and Google Play stores, can be installed on smartphones or tablets. In case the remote falls victim to the cushions of your couch the app can act as a quick and easy substitute.

Connectivity

The Pioneer VSX-832 gives you a satisfactory number of input choices highlighted by its four 4K compatible HDMIs. The HDMIs check-off most of the 4K hot buttons such as HDCP 2.2 (4K/60p/4:4:4), HDR 10, BT.2020, and Dolby Vision. Analog inputs are sparse on the amp with only two available. To compensate, the 832 has two digital inputs (one optical and one coaxial). For wired network connections, an ethernet port is also located on the receiver’s rear. One item missing from this year’s model is a dedicated phono input which is a little odd especially with the recent resurgence of vinyl.

Audio Formats

The Pioneer VSX-832 is the first 5-channel AV receiver that we’ve come across that supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Typically, the minimum number of channels needed for these object-based surround formats is seven, but the 832 appears to be the exception to this rule. However, there is a drawback to using Atmos & DTS:X on the 832. In order to set it up, you’ll need to sacrifice your surround speakers and use them as overhead height speakers. This may be too much of a sacrifice for some, including me, but I do appreciate Pioneer’s effort to push the envelope a little. In the end, it will come down to your listening preference and if you think the overhead sound effects are worth the sacrifice of your rear surrounds.

In addition to the aforementioned object-based audio formats, the 832 also supports the old standbys – Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. On the music front, MP3, ALAC, AIFF, FLAC and WAV files are all playable by the amp.

Networking

Even if you removed Dolby Atmos and DTS:X from the equation, the Pioneer VSX-832 still boasts a robust set of features. The amp has both Bluetooth and dual-band WiFi. In addition, there are a multitude of ways to stream music to the receiver. TuneIn, Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, Tidal and AirPlay are all available on the 832 as is Chromecast built-in. With multi-room audio becoming more and more popular, the Pioneer VSX-832 has two options to choose from – DTS Play-Fi and FireConnect. Between the two, DTS Play-Fi is currently enjoying a little more support from 3rd parties than FireConnect.

Setup

With its rear ethernet port, getting the 832 on your network is as simple as plugging in a network cable. WiFi is equally easy to setup if you have a newer Apple Device. If this is the case, you can copy your WiFi settings over to the amp and have it wirelessly connected in seconds.

For speaker calibration, the 832 uses Pioneer’s MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System). This system automatically adjusts your speaker levels and crossovers based on the characteristics of your speakers and your room’s acoustics. With most calibration systems I usually find myself going in and tweaking the settings. With the 832, MCACC did a good enough job that I left the settings as they were. Even so, I still recommend that you double check the settings after you run the calibration.

Sound Quality

After calibration, our first test for the Pioneer VSX-832 was Mad Max: Fury Road on Blu-Ray. The 832 uses what it calls a “surround enhancer” when you’re running an Atmos config. Since the surround speakers are assigned to the height channels, the surround enhancer creates virtual surround speakers. This tech is often used in sound bars for the same effect. With Mad Max, the Pioneer 832 did a good job generating overhead effects with the grunts and screams of the Wild Boys soaring high overhead.  The surround enhancer attempted to fill in the gap where the surround channels would be. That being said, when I switched between a standard 5.1 arrangement and the Atmos 3.1.2 setup, my ears preferred the standard 5-channel. The surround enhancer didn’t completely compensate for the missing surround channels which left a noticeable gap in the rear of the room.

Wonder Woman was the next test for the Pioneer VSX-832. The amp had no issue tackling the movies Atmos soundtrack. Bullets and Airplanes zoomed overhead. The 832 gave our subwoofer a good work out too as explosions were thunderous. The soundstage was expansive and wide with good detail. When compared to some of the other receivers we’ve tested this year, like the Onkyo TX-NR676 and the Sony STR-DN1080, the 832’s performance didn’t match the dimensionality of those more expensive receivers. However, when used in a standard 5-channel format the 832 was on par with the Yamaha RX-V483 that we previously tested this year.

The Pioneer VSX-832 is a competent music performer. In stereo mode, the amp displayed good dynamics. The 832’s penchant for detail makes it an ideal receiver for classical music scores. However, we did feel that the 832’s sound lacked a little depth, especially when compared to higher priced receivers. Overall though, it was solid.

The Verdict

Pioneer surprised us this year when they announced that the 5-channel Pioneer VSX-832 was Atmos and DTS:X equipped. While I like the “out of the box” thinking by Pioneer, to get the most out of the amp you’re probably better off using it in a standard 5.1 channel arrangement. That being said, having the option to use Atmos & DTS:X gives the amp good flexibility at its current price point.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

The post Pioneer VSX-832 Review appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Marantz has earned a reputation for consistently pumping-out fantastic audio equipment year after year. Their latest top-tier amp to hit the street is the new SR7012. The first thing you notice about the Marantz SR7012 is that it’s beefy. The SR7012 weighs in at a hernia-inducing 31 lbs. Much of this heft is due to its high-quality parts such as the reference-class 32-bit AKM D/A converters that are encased in its metal frame. The SR7012 can drive roughly 125 watts of power to each of its 9.2 channels. Throw in an external amp and the receiver can process 11.2 channels in all.

The SR7012 supports three object-based sound formats – Auro 3D, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X. With its base 9-channels, you can run a 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 speaker arrangement. Use an external amplifier and that number increases to 7.1.4.

If you have a lot of gear in your home theater, then you’ll probably like what you see on the Marantz SR7012 because it comes loaded with connection options. It has a total of 8 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs. All of which support the latest 4K video standards –  HDCP 2.2, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, High Dynamic Range and 21:9 video, 3D, BT.2020, Dolby Vision, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma).

In addition to its HDMI prowess, the 7012 has more analog audio inputs than I care to count on its backside. Combined with its component inputs and 4 digital inputs (2 optical and 2 coaxial) you should have plenty of options for connecting your gear to the amp. For 3rd party and custom integration solutions, the Marantz SR7012 includes an RS232 port, a 12V trigger, and an IR input.

For networking, the Marantz SR7012 has the usual tech. WiFi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay all come built-in. Anyone who enjoys multi-room or whole house audio will like the fact that the 7012 also includes Denon’s HEOS multi-room audio system.

In order to calibrate your setup, the 7012 includes Audyssey’s best calibrations system – MultEQ XT32. This calibration suite measures your speaker output from 8 locations and then applies digital filters to optimize the audio output of each channel.
If you want to go a step further Marantz has an Audyssey MultEQ Editor App that lets you really dig into the Audyssey settings and tailor the sound of the receiver to your personal liking.

The Marantz SR7012 is available at now at authorized retailers.

The post Marantz SR7012 – The New King in Town appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Denon AVR-S530BT Design

The Denon AVR-S530BT is the latest entry-level AV receiver to roll off Denon’s assembly line. The budget-friendly 530BT sports a clean & minimal design. The face of the amp has a series of quick select buttons sandwiched between the input select and volume knobs, however, overall the button clutter is kept to minimum. The on screen interface is rudimentary, but serviceable. By today’s standards it looks dated, but its black screen with white text is easy to use and navigate.

Its difficult to find anything to complain about as far as the 530’s remote is concerned. It has a good layout with large easy-to-press buttons.  If you prefer to use your smartphone in lieu of the remote, Denon has an AV control app that works via Bluetooth. The app lets you switch inputs, control volume, and change between the amps audio presets. If you need to take a peek at the owners manual, the app also has a built-in direct link to Denon’s online user manual for the 530.

Connections

When it comes to connection choices, the Denon AVR-530BT has the basics. The amp has two analog inputs and three digital (two optical and one coaxial). The receiver also has dual subwoofer outputs. The 530BT uses spring clips for speaker attachments. This isn’t totally unexpected, however the competing Yamaha RX-V383 uses 5-way binding posts for the front left and right channels. There’s no difference in audio quality with spring clips or 5-way binding posts, but binding posts typically give you a more secure connection.

Along with the above inputs, the Denon 530BT has 5 HDMI ports. Three of the HDMIs support 4K video at 60 Hz, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, HDR, HDCP 2.2, and BT.2020. The front of the 530 also has a headphone jack and a USB input that allows you to play MP3, WMA, FLAC and MPEG-4/AAC music files.

Entry-level amps typically aren’t endowed with networking capabilities and this holds true with the Denon AVR-530BT. However, this modest AV receiver does include Bluetooth. So if you have a Bluetooth enabled device such as a smartphone, tablet or computer you can easily send music over to the receiver. Denon has also been building up their multi-room audio capabilities.  They currently have an impressive list of Soundbars and wireless speakers that are compatible with their whole house audio system called HEOS.  The 530 doesn’t have HEOS built-in, but if you have the HEOS Link, you can use it to attach the 530BT to your existing HEOS eco-system and send audio to other HEOS compatible speakers in your home.

Setup

Getting the 530BT up and running is straightforward. As soon as the unit’s plugged-in the amp guides you through making the correct speaker connections and hooking-up your components. As I mentioned earlier, the Denon AVR-S530BT uses spring clips for speaker connections. If you have heavier gauge speaker cables fitting them inside the clips could take a little work.

The 530BT has a built-in calibration system that has the amp pump out a series of white noise type test tones. The included microphone captures the audio and the AV receiver then calculates the appropriate frequency crossovers, distances and speaker levels for your system. After calibration was complete I took a look at the settings the Denon AVR-S530BT prescribed and they were spot on.

Audio Quality

The Denon AVR-S530BT sounds bigger than it is. Its power rating is listed at 140 watts per channel, but in the real world its power output is about 70 watts with 2-channels driven. Push all five and you’re probably looking at 40-50 watts per channel. This may not seem like much, but the 530BT makes good use of its wattage. In my medium size room the amp had no problem filling it with sound.

When I sat down to watch Kong: Skull Island on Blu-Ray, I pulled up the scene where the helicopter squadron first encounters the lumbering giant. As they surround Kong, the helicopter rotors can be heard panning around the room. When Kong finally unleashed a guttural roar, the 530BT kicked the subwoofer into high gear.

When I next cued-up Terminator Genisys, the Denon AVR-S530BT again proved that it could dish out heavy-duty home theater audio. The 530BT easily replicated the grandiose opening assault on Sky Net’s base with explosions and particle blasts ricocheting around the room. Later on in the movie an MRI machine is weaponized in an effort to combat the latest Terminator killing machine. The low frequency hum reverberated around the room. The 530BT wasn’t just full of bluster, it also showed nimbleness and detail. Dialogue was clear and crisp and most importantly, vocals sounded natural coming from the 530.

The Verdict

The Denon AVR-S530BT proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good sounding amp. It may be light on features, but if sound quality is more important to you than having the latest tech, then the 530BT becomes a no-brainer.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

The post Denon AVR-S530BT Review appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Onkyo has always been great at providing feature rich AV receivers year after year. One of their latest models, the Onkyo TX-NR575,  includes a long list of features that home theater junkies will find useful.
 

The question is, how does it stack-up to the competition? For the most part, the 575 holds its own. Thus far this year, the Sony STR-DN1080 is the best 7-channel mid-tier amp we’ve listened to. The 1080 has the 575 beat in the sound quality department, but it also has a higher MSRP which might make the 575 a better value proposition in the long run.
 

Design

The look and feel of the Onkyo TX-NR575 is pretty much the status quo for AV receivers. Its big, boxy design is what we’ve come to expect from AV makers. That being said, the 575  has a relatively sparse front panel with small unobtrusive buttons lining the front of the receiver. In other parts of the world, the 575 is also available in a metallic silver finish. However, in the states only black appears on our store shelves which is just fine with me. If you put this on a shelf or rack, the receiver will just blend into the shadows.

There’s not a whole lot to complain about with the remote that’s paired with the Onkyo TX-NR575. Onkyo plucked all of the extraneous buttons off of the remote for the 575. The end result is a device that’s less intimidating and much easier to use. All in all, it’s one of the better remotes that you’ll find packaged with a piece of AV equipment.

Since I’ve been using Onkyo amps, their on screen menus have always been competently laid out. The 575’s GUI is no different, it’s clean and easy to navigate. Onkyo has added a tiny bit of visual flare to this year’s interface, but not much. It doesn’t have the slick visuals of the Sony STR-DN1080’s interface, but it doesn’t have to. As long as you can find what you need in the settings menus that’s the only thing that really matters.

Connections

The Onkyo TX-NR575 doesn’t skimp on inputs. In all, the amp has 6 HDMI inputs which support most of the latest 4K video goodies including – HDCP 2.2, BT.2020, HDR10, and Dolby Vision. The 575 doesn’t stop with just HDMI inputs, it also has 7 analog audio inputs (including a dedicated phono for vinyl enthusiasts), 2 component, and 3 digital. If you want to setup a set of stereo speakers in another room, the Onkyo 575 also offers a powered zone 2 speaker option. On the back of the amp, the 575 has a USB input so that you can stream media from a storage device. However, the port being located on the back can be a little inconvenient to get to. Especially, if you have the 575 housed in a cabinet.

When it comes to audio streaming, Onkyo didn’t hold back with the Onkyo 575. The amp includes both Bluetooth and WiFi. It also supports AirPlay for those of you that have an Apple device. The receiver has FireConnect and DTS-PlayFi for multi-room audio streaming. Chromecast Built-in which allows you to send music from a huge variety of streaming apps such as Spotify, Pandora, and TuneIn is also included with the receiver.
 

Audio Formats

The exciting thing about the Onkyo 575 is that it supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object based sound formats. It, of course, also decodes older hi-res sound formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio so if you haven’t jumped on board the object-based audio train yet, you can still enjoy HD home theater sound quality. The Onkyo TX-NR575 uses a high-grade 384 kHz/32-bit Hi-Grade DAC (digital to audio converter) that allows it to decode the aforementioned home theater formats as well as a wide range music audio files such as MP3, WMA, FLAC, WAV, OggVorbis, AAC, Apple Lossless, DSD 5.6 MHz, and LPCM.

Setup

Onkyo ditched Audyssey on its amps a few years ago in favor of their own calibration system. Overall, it does a good enough job. However, I still recommend checking out the settings before you set back to watch a few movies. When I ran the calibration, the 575 set the crossover of my fronts and surrounds to 200Hz, which is a problem I’ve run into with Onkyo receivers in the past. I set the crossover to a more respectable 80Hz before I sat back to watch a couple Blu-rays.

Sound Quality

The first movie I cued up was Tom Cruise’s Edge of Tomorrow. I used to really enjoy this movie, however, after reviewing dozens of AV receivers and watching this movie more times than I’d care to share, it’s safe to say that this movie has lost some of its sheen. However, I keep coming back to this flick simply for the fact that its soundtrack is a tough test for most amps. Thankfully, the Onkyo TX-NR575 tackled its soundtrack with relative ease. The 575 displayed ample low-end power as it easily handled the on screen explosions. The first battle in the movie is a chaotic mess with bullets whizzing around. The 575 easily directed sound around the room.

Next, I cued up Batman vs. Superman to see how the Onkyo 575 could handle an Atmos soundtrack. The amp didn’t disappoint. Early in the movie we’re shown the havoc and destruction that was delivered to Metropolis during Superman’s fight with General Zod in the Man of Steel. During this devastating confrontation, one of Bruce Wayne’s office buildings collapsed during the titanic battle. Dolby Atmos was in full effect as the sounds of debris and rubble poured down via my overhead channels. When Doomsday finally made an appearance at the end of the movie his roar encompassed the entire room. When things settled down in the movie, the 575 also showed it could handle quieter scenes as dialogue was detailed and crisp. Curious to see how the 575 compared to the Onkyo TX-NR676, I decided to connect the 676 model that I still had on hand. Overall, the 676 seemed to pull a little more detail from the Batman vs. Superman sound track. Also, the Onkyo 676 sounded more spacious, especially in the final climatic battle that took place at the end of the movie.
 

The Verdict

With its combo of features and solid performance, the Onkyo TX-NR575 is a perfect example of what you can expect in a modern AV receiver. Some amps such as the Sony STR-DN1080 and the Onkyo TX-NR676 may sound better, but the subtle differences in sound quality may cost you a couple hundred bucks more.

Where to Buy:

See Price on Amazon

The post Onkyo TX-NR575 REVIEW appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.

Ahead of Black Friday, Amazon has already started discounting some of their most popular AV receivers. Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the best deals on AV amps currently on Amazon.

The post Amazon Slashes Prices on Popular AV Receivers appeared first on AV Tech Reviews - Tech News and Reviews.