A best bang for the buck 7.2 receiver that supports most surround formats ?

[reptilianbrain]

Hi guys

I have a stereo and headphone setup that I am quite happy with and want to build a 7.2 system. I am looking for a receiver or idk 7.2 splitter (? or any solution, I am an HT newbie), that would allow me to use my existing stereo setup (stereo amplifier + passive speakers) as part of the 7.2 system. I am assuming I could buy some 7.2 receiver, connect it to the existing amp and then to a streaming box and start adding other speakers (starting with the center speaker, for dialogue). Is it how I can do it?

so

steaming box (apple TV, Roku) > 7.2 receiver (which?)
| |
| center speaker (?)
|
Stereo amplifier + passive speakers.


why keep stereo amplifier? I want to also be able to use it to listen to spotify / apple Music / Qubuz from the streaming box and don't want to invest into overly powerful 7.2 receiver.

I think one thing I want to ensure with the receiver is that i supports all kinds of surround formats so I can at some point bask in the sound waves as I please.

 

[Guddu]

Hi guys, I am looking to purchase a 7.2 receiver to slowly build up an HT system. I don't really want to spend even over $500 on it, so I was

Here is one option: Yamaha RX-v6a, refurbished normally available below 400$ (even comes with manufacturer's wattanty)
Supports all formats, and has front pre-out for fronts if later you want to add external amplifier for fronts which should allow more than enough power to rest speakers in most cases.

Edit: updated - pre-out for fronts

 

[Oddball]

Many AVRs will allow you to do what you want. But you need to make sure you are comfortable with 7.2 configuration. That is 7 bed channels and 2 subs, no Atmos. Many people opt for Atmos at this point as largely available on lots of discs and streaming services. Even if not natively available, your AVR could up mix 5.1 or 7.1 content to 7.2.4 and get the use of Atmos layer.

Denon 3800H is 11.2 AVR that can support 7.2.4 configuration (with external amp powering 2 channels, as you wan it to). Pricing will depend where you live but in US could be had for $1k when deals are available. Denon 2800H will be cheaper, but difference could be worth it. Additional 4 Atmos speakers could be also budget friendly. You would need to decide for yourself, but for $1K definitively can get 4 pretty good ones.

Depending on your choice of AVRs, you might or might not get 2 independent sub outputs, so that it a thing to be aware of.

Finally, there is this whole thing about the room EQ capabilities of different AVRs. Dirac, Audyssey, ARC, YPAO, Sony. It does take a while to dig into those, but that is recommended as only you will be able to decide what works for you and at what price. My example for 3800H above was with Audy that would likely require at least additional $20 app to be tweaked to pleasing results, perhaps even $200 app for better results. For Dirac, best practice would be to have DLBC for multi-subs, that will likely cost extra.

Good luck with your setup and hope it works well for you.

 

[reptilianbrain]

Many AVRs will allow you to do what you want. But you need to make sure you are comfortable with 7.2 configuration. That is 7 bed channels and 2 subs, no Atmos. Many people opt for Atmos at this point as largely available on lots of discs and streaming services. Even if not natively available, your AVR could up mix 5.1 or 7.1 content to 7.2.4 and get the use of Atmos layer.

Denon 3800H is 11.2 AVR that can support 7.2.4 configuration (with external amp powering 2 channels, as you wan it to). Pricing will depend where you live but in US could be had for $1k when deals are available. Denon 2800H will be cheaper, but difference could be worth it. Additional 4 Atmos speakers could be also budget friendly. You would need to decide for yourself, but for $1K definitively can get 4 pretty good ones.

Depending on your choice of AVRs, you might or might not get 2 independent sub outputs, so that it a thing to be aware of.

Finally, there is this whole thing about the room EQ capabilities of different AVRs. Dirac, Audyssey, ARC, YPAO, Sony. It does take a while to dig into those, but that is recommended as only you will be able to decide what works for you and at what price. My example for 3800H above was with Audy that would likely require at least additional $20 app to be tweaked to pleasing results, perhaps even $200 app for better results. For Dirac, best practice would be to have DLBC for multi-subs, that will likely cost extra.

Good luck with your setup and hope it works well for you.

Thank you! Would you recommend x3800h vs rz50?

I looked into Dirac and it seems interesting but maxing out Dirac on 3800h would cost another 650$

I am not sure though which Dirac features does rz50 have

 

[reptilianbrain]

Here is one option: Yamaha RX-v6a, refurbished normally available below 400$ (even comes with manufacturer's wattanty)
Supports all formats, and has front pre-out for fronts if later you want to add external amplifier for fronts which should allow more than enough power to rest speakers in most cases.

Edit: updated - pre-out for fronts

Hi thank you, it seems V6a doesn’t have pre out for me fronts? Only for Zine2 ?

 

[Oddball]

Thank you! Would you recommend x3800h vs rz50?

I looked into Dirac and it seems interesting but maxing out Dirac on 3800h would cost another 650$

I am not sure though which Dirac features does rz50 have

I have been in D&M camp for a while for full disclosure. Advantage of RZ 50 would be onboard Dirac included in price, but downside just a single sub output. $650 on Denon will get you full Dirac package with multi sub control which is more than RZ 50 has or could have. You need to make your own choice and both are pretty capable and popular value options.

 

[peng]

Hi thank you, it seems V6a doesn’t have pre out for me fronts? Only for Zine2 ?

AVR-X1800H NA version has front L/R preouts, EU versions don’t. The AVR-X3800H is the best value when on sale.