AVR Buying Advice: Upgrading to 4K – 5.1 Receiver Recommendations Under $1,000

[Fish17]

Hey everyone! I’m finally upgrading my 1080p projector to 4K, but to support 4K/120Hz, I also need to upgrade my receiver. Ideally, I’d like to keep it under $1,000.

Key features I’m looking for:
1. HDMI 2.1 support, the more HDMI ports, the better as I have a Switch 2, PS5 an Apple TV 4K
2. Solid audio quality for a 5.1 setup

I’ve been looking at the Onkyo NZ30 since it includes Dirac Live, as well as the Denon X3800H. The 37000H looked great but it only has 1 HDMI 2.1 port.

I’ve read all of Amir’s reviews on ASR, but most of his recommendations are either over $1K or don’t support multiple HDMI 2.1 ports.

I’m also open to used gear, so that might open up more possibilities.

Appreciate any advice!

 

[masterhw]

Hard to go wrong with the Denon X3800H, its phenomenally capable, on sale goes to around $1000, and can be Dirac ART upgraded later.

 

[Fish17]

Hard to go wrong with the Denon X3800H, its phenomenally capable, on sale goes to around $1000, and can be Dirac ART upgraded later.

Thanks for your reply the RZ30 has Dirac Live built into the price and is less than $800, alhtough it does not support ART.

How do you like you X1800H by the way? I was looking at that as well.

 

[ban25]

Thanks for your reply the RZ30 has Dirac Live built into the price and is less than $800, alhtough it does not support ART.

How do you like you X1800H by the way? I was looking at that as well.

Only three of the ports on the X1800H support HDMI 2.1 / 4K120. That might be enough, but if you have a PS5, Xbox, and PC, you're full.

 

[masterhw]

Thanks for your reply the RZ30 has Dirac Live built into the price and is less than $800, alhtough it does not support ART.

How do you like you X1800H by the way? I was looking at that as well.

Hard to argue with the Onkyo’s value, it with a Bass Control upgrade would put it around the price of the X3800H. But I’ve been generally pleased with my Denon ownership, and would probably pay a small premium for the general stability and useful app functionality.

The X1800H has been a good fit for my 5.1 setup, though if I were to do it again I would potentially have gone with the X3800H for the improved room correction. I’ve become a real convert to the value of room correction, I think it makes a much bigger difference than the amps or DACs which are of primarily academic interest these days. But I’ll probably
hold out until the HDMI 2.2 AVRs land in 2027 to upgrade.

 

[Fish17]

Only three of the ports on the X1800H support HDMI 2.1 / 4K120. That might be enough, but if you have a PS5, Xbox, and PC, you're full.

Great point I would be full, I have a Switch 2, PS5 and a Apple TV 4K. Although I could always add a HDMI swtich with a remote and tie it to my voice controlled Hamrony setup. But I agree with @masterhw the improved room correction is worth the additional price of the X3800H versus the X1800H

 

[Fish17]

The RZ30 has 6 HDMI 2.1 compatible inputs where the 3800H only has 3, the other 3 are not 4K/120Hz Capable Inputs.

 

[Bucking]

The RZ30 has 6 HDMI 2.1 compatible inputs where the 3800H only has 3, the other 3 are not 4K/120Hz Capable Inputs.

Are you sure?
I'm pretty certain that all of them can do 4K/120HZ

 

[Fish17]

Are you sure?
I'm pretty certain that all of them can do 4K/120H

Your right! 6 HDMI 2.1s!

I’m glad you replied thank you!

 

[SoundMagic]

Key features I’m looking for:
1. HDMI 2.1 support, the more HDMI ports, the better as I have a Switch 2, PS5 an Apple TV 4K
2. Solid audio quality for a 5.1 setup

You did not tell what speakers you are connecting to. AVR power requirements depends on the speaker sensitivity.

Since your requirement is only 5.1 channels, take a look at Yamaha RX-V6A. Has 3 HDMI 2.1 inputs, front channel pre-outs if you want to add a power amplifier. MusicCast streaming etc. unbeatable for the price.

And which projector? Not many projectors project 4k at 120Hz. They only take 120Hz signals and downsample to its supported native frame rates. If it is pixel shifting, then not even closer. So the 120Hz inputs are basically a wash, not necessary depending on the model you have. HDMI 2.1 will help only if you have a display/tv that does native frame rates at that rates.

 

[Fish17]

You did not tell what speakers you are connecting to. AVR power requirements depends on the speaker sensitivity.

Since your requirement is only 5.1 channels, take a look at Yamaha RX-V6A. Has 3 HDMI 2.1 inputs, front channel pre-outs if you want to add a power amplifier. MusicCast streaming etc. unbeatable for the price.

And which projector? Not many projectors project 4k at 120Hz. They only take 120Hz signals and downsample to its supported native frame rates. If it is pixel shifting, then not even closer. So the 120Hz inputs are basically a wash, not necessary depending on the model you have. HDMI 2.1 will help only if you have a display/tv that does native frame rates at that rates.

Thanks for your reply, I have a JVC NP5 which is a native 4K projector 120 fps.

I ended up getting a used Denon AVR-X4800H for $1.350 shipped. I’m loving it so far!