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Recommended AVR for beginners

kevindd992002

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I'm a noob and will begin with a 3.1 setup, then 5.1, up to 5.1.2. I'm choosing between the Denon X3500H, X3600H, and X3700H for my receiver as I really want MultEQ XT32. I also need eARC. I don't need Bluetooth transmission. I'm reading that Atmos Virtualization (for the 3600 and 3700) is pretty much a gimmick, so should I be concerned with that? I don't think I'd be needing HDMI 2.1 (3700) anytime soon too and even if I do I can always directly connect any next gen console directly to the TV and let eARC pass back the audio to the AVR.

So would the X3500H be the wise choice for my use case? Are all Denon AVR's in the US 120V? I will be using the AVR in the Philippines with 220V mains and I can always use an automatic voltage regulator with a 120V socket if needed.
 
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waynel

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are you going to use any external amplifiers?
If not 3500 is fine if you get a good deal
If yes for LR then 3600 is good if you can get a good deal
If for all channels then the 3700 is best

If you cant find a good deal on a 3500 or 3600 then a 3700 is fine.
 
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kevindd992002

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Not initially, no. I have a small living room (93 sqft.) anyway. In the future when I move to a bigger place, probably.

So:

3500 = no pre-outs
3600 = pre-outs only for LR
3700 = pre-outs for all channels

Correct?
 

waynel

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Not initially, no. I have a small living room (93 sqft.) anyway. In the future when I move to a bigger place, probably.

So:

3500 = no pre-outs
3600 = pre-outs only for LR
3700 = pre-outs for all channels

Correct?
All three have preouts for all channels , the differences are the quality of the preouts when driving lower gain amps .
 

zelig

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Have you read the X3500h review? I hope you are getting it cheap... like $400.
 
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kevindd992002

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All three have preouts for all channels , the differences are the quality of the preouts when driving lower gain amps .

I see what you're saying.

Have you read the X3500h review? I hope you are getting it cheap... like $400.

Yes, I did, earlier and it looks like the X3500 has a mediocre DAC implementation. If you're recommending against it, what's your take on the X3600 vs X3700 except for the front HDMI and HDMI 2.1 differences?
 

waynel

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Hard to find a 3600h. I was able to get a 3700h new for less than a refurb 3600h
 
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