Buying a new receiver in an "odd" setup.

[DY2]

The AV7704 is a much better option as it has all. Only reason for me not to get it nowadays would be the limit of 4k60. The X3800H is already 4k120/8k. And that is year 2022.

I agree with you on 4K, but honestly how much 4K video will be available in 2026? I ask this because I also have an 8K AV8895A in my rack, but for now I still use the AV7704 as my priority in the system, even though the AV8805A is much better equipped. You will find a lot of information on the internet, much of it from AI, I write from my experience with preamps.

 

[Ruediger]

I agree with you on 4K, but honestly how much 4K video will be available in 2026? I ask this because I also have an 8K AV8895A in my rack, but for now I still use the AV7704 as my priority in the system, even though the AV8805A is much better equipped. You will find a lot of information on the internet, much of it from AI, I write from my experience with preamps.

You are right there. My OLED panel is just 2 years old and 4k120. Haven't even looked at 8k at that time. AVRs were the early adopters here. Media players second as I see it. It's just beginning to get good on alternative systems like amlogic. Content is for sure far away from mainstream.

So it's creeping in, slowly.. but no concern.

For a good price I wouldn't hesitate to get the older pre-pro (used) if the TV isn't ancient and should stay for some more years.

 

[TSullivanM]

In Plex you set the playback device to your DAC and playback channels to 3.1 (if that is an option):

Audio Configuration

Looking for a basic primer on digital audio? Audio configuration settings are advanced settings. You’ll configure audio settings under: Navigate...

support.plex.tv

Then you can play a Dolby channel test sound and plug every speaker into the right Line out so that it plays its respective channel.

I really think the Okto Dac 8 Pro is the way to go for me since its so highly praised here on the forum.
But I really want to be sure how to setup it up before I buy.
Normally the audio processing is done in the AVP but here I guess it will be done by my HTPC. Do I need anything else for that or can Plex handle it alone or is there something better?

 

[Miker 1102]

I have used an htpc for twenty years and have had variations of audio output over that time but have not configured my pc to do audio processing in quite a while. You should be able to do a 3.1 on the windows app. I was wondering wheter it would handle atmos tracks,though? I was under the impression thay Atmos had to be like 2.2 1 at least. I am not sure it will decode atmos with that configuration. I am going to see if I can get that configured on mine by using the windows app in the next couple of days. I do not think you need anything other than Plex if you are just playing movies. I use KODI or MPC BE.
My thoughts, however, would be that you probably are not going to stay with the 3.1 and investing in an entry level avr makes more sense to me than an 8 channel dac. There are some really good entry level recievers out that have good tech if you do not need ART. We have a member of ASR that has written some good scripts for Audyssey that do a great job on Denon avrs. Just my two cents.

..I have also done pretty well with aome used gear. I know people might balk st that but the Mid or upper range Marantz and Denon products hold value.

 

[TSullivanM]

I have used an htpc for twenty years and have had variations of audio output over that time but have not configured my pc to do audio processing in quite a while. You should be able to do a 3.1 on the windows app. I was wondering wheter it would handle atmos tracks,though? I was under the impression thay Atmos had to be like 2.2 1 at least. I am not sure it will decode atmos with that configuration. I am going to see if I can get that configured on mine by using the windows app in the next couple of days. I do not think you need anything other than Plex if you are just playing movies. I use KODI or MPC BE.
My thoughts, however, would be that you probably are not going to stay with the 3.1 and investing in an entry level avr makes more sense to me than an 8 channel dac. There are some really good entry level recievers out that have good tech if you do not need ART. We have a member of ASR that has written some good scripts for Audyssey that do a great job on Denon avrs. Just my two cents.

..I have also done pretty well with aome used gear. I know people might balk st that but the Mid or upper range Marantz and Denon products hold value.

When you say "the windows app" do you mean the Plex app then? Ive just gotten used to Plex but sometimes I use MPC-BE also. But I am definetely going to stay with 3.1. This is in a living room area and Im just trying go get a good alternative to a soundbar. I will have another are dedicated to home theater in the future. But even if it cant decode atmos properly I still want it to send what it can to the right channels in my setup.

 

[DrStranger]

Hi!

Is there anyone who can help me with some recommendations for a new receiver in my kinda odd setup?
I run an HTPC and I only have 3 speakers, front LR and center (plus subwoofer). And they are all active and only have XLR connections.

I want to connect everything to my HTPC running Plex. Preferably if it has an inbuilt DAC too.

I guess there might not be a receiver that has only what im looking for so if it has more channels that I wont use for now I guess that is fine.

I can recommend the Onkyo TX-RZ30, i run the 3.0 setup, however no XLR connections. Works fine, you get all the formats including DIRAC.