Is and older Dolby Atmos AVR still OK?

[citysoundman]

I'm looking for an AVR with Dolby Atmos that has pre outs. It's solely to listen to audio in my 5.1 audio post studio. I'll be playing .m4a files from HD, and BD discs and iso's from my Oppo 103. I already have Dirac room correction so all I really need is a processor.

I'm looking at Ebay for older AVRs in the $500 range. Denon would be great but even the older models are kinda pricey, so I'm looking at Marantz. My question is, is it OK to get something from 2017 or 2018 (like Marantz SR5012 )? Is there any problem with the Atmos capability of models that came out 6 years ago?

 

[GXAlan]

Only issue is the lack of eARC and fancy switching of Dolby Vision, etc. Something like the SR5012 will be fine but if you just want pre-outs, an older Yamaha CX-A5100 or Emotiva processor may work just fine.

 

[Power Pop 23]

FYI,

Adorama is currenty selling (via an affiliated link from SlickDeals) the Integra DRX-3.4 9.2 channel AVR for $579. The subwoofer jacks are not independent and this AVR does not support DLBC or Dirac ART. It has preamplifier outputs, a paid Dirac Live license and a 5 year warranty.

https://slickdeals.net/f/17939415-integra-drx-3-4-9-2-channel-8k-av-receiver-579-free-s-h?src=category_page

 

[citysoundman]

Only issue is the lack of eARC and fancy switching of Dolby Vision, etc. Something like the SR5012 will be fine but if you just want pre-outs, an older Yamaha CX-A5100 or Emotiva processor may work just fine.

thanks for the reply and the info! The Yamaha has balanced outs which would be awesome but pretty pricey. I'm fine getting an old Marantz I just wanted to be sure the Atmos decoding in older models is not outdated.

 

[GXAlan]

thanks for the reply and the info! The Yamaha has balanced outs which would be awesome but pretty pricey. I'm fine getting an old Marantz I just wanted to be sure the Atmos decoding in older models is not outdated.

For native decoding, no difference. There are different versions of Atmos for “virtual height” and for the upmixer. From the standpoint of 7.1.4 decoding, dynamic object decoding, and DD+ vs TrueHD encoded Atmos, no difference.

 

[citysoundman]

FYI,

Adorama is currenty selling (via an affiliated link from SlickDeals) the Integra DRX-3.4 9.2 channel AVR for $579. The subwoofer jacks are not independent and this AVR does not support DLBC or Dirac ART. It has preamplifier outputs, a paid Dirac Live license and a 5 year warranty.

https://slickdeals.net/f/17939415-integra-drx-3-4-9-2-channel-8k-av-receiver-579-free-s-h?src=category_page

Wow that looks like a super offer! I wasn't aware of Integra but see it's basically an Onkyo NR7100 but w pre outs. Adorama has a bunch of open box deals for $549. Thanks for the message!

 

[Power Pop 23]

You are welcome.

Voxx International recently deployed a firmware update for many recent model AVR's from Onkyo, Integra, and Pioneer (Elite). There is a lengthy change log and it 'may' remove restrictions on output power noted in some reviews at ASR. Update to the latest firmware if you end up using an Integra DRX--3.4

 

[citysoundman]

You are welcome.

Voxx International recently deployed a firmware update for many recent model AVR's from Onkyo, Integra, and Pioneer (Elite). There is a lengthy change log and it 'may' remove restrictions on output power noted in some reviews at ASR. Update to the latest firmware if you end up using an Integra DRX--3.4

Sweet, I will probably buy it.
I see you have a Mac mini, I just learned that OS Sonoma allows high sample rates over HDMI for Silicon minis (finally!!). No longer stuck at 48K. I just upgraded the other day and was really psyched!

 

[Wolf11Man]

If you look for an older Dennon, the AVR-X4100W is the oldest one that has pre out and Atmos plus 2 independent sub outs with MultEQ® XT32 Audyssey.
It has some restrictions with the external software, but should not sound different from the newer ones. Today the AVR-X3800W is the aquivalent to it. Would be my pick under 1000$ on sale.