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ATV simple receiver recommendations?
- Thread starter TwoBytes
- Start date
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I'd look at Marantz, this NR1510 is the cheapest one, they have bigger, and more powerful ones, too...
When I was researching a new hifi for my TV and Airplay streaming, Marantz always came up on or near the top whatever I wanted to prioritize. We had a Marantz amp when I was groing up, and I've never since had anything that sounded better (relative to cost).
(Now, since I - in the end - only wanted a 2.0 receiver, I went with Bluesound node 2i, but that and Airplay never worked as well as I hoped - not sure if that was NAD/Bluesound's fault or Apple, probably a little of both - so I replaced that with two Homepod 2s.)
Another - slightly cheaper - brand is Onkyo, which I used to have back when I had a 5.0 setup, and it had good sound and packed a good punch. (Though I'm not sure if they support Airplay, if that's something you need.)
Not sure if any of these support mic for setup, though. The only receivers I looked at, that supported that was the Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 which is a 2.0 and some other, cannot remember which one, maybe the NAD M10 or a Naim receiver, that also was "only" a 2.0.
When I was researching a new hifi for my TV and Airplay streaming, Marantz always came up on or near the top whatever I wanted to prioritize. We had a Marantz amp when I was groing up, and I've never since had anything that sounded better (relative to cost).
(Now, since I - in the end - only wanted a 2.0 receiver, I went with Bluesound node 2i, but that and Airplay never worked as well as I hoped - not sure if that was NAD/Bluesound's fault or Apple, probably a little of both - so I replaced that with two Homepod 2s.)
Another - slightly cheaper - brand is Onkyo, which I used to have back when I had a 5.0 setup, and it had good sound and packed a good punch. (Though I'm not sure if they support Airplay, if that's something you need.)
Not sure if any of these support mic for setup, though. The only receivers I looked at, that supported that was the Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 which is a 2.0 and some other, cannot remember which one, maybe the NAD M10 or a Naim receiver, that also was "only" a 2.0.
I have a Sony STR-DH790
Hits all your boxes, set up mic is included. Price is decent, powerful enough to drive my 5.2 set up perfectly.
Unfortunately I think you won’t be able to avoid “lots of features” given your criteria. Pick a solid performer and get the lower end of whatever they make.
Hits all your boxes, set up mic is included. Price is decent, powerful enough to drive my 5.2 set up perfectly.
Unfortunately I think you won’t be able to avoid “lots of features” given your criteria. Pick a solid performer and get the lower end of whatever they make.
Take a look at the local CostCo stores and see what receiver is on sale at the moment. Sometimes they have Yamaha receivers and other times Denon ones, usually around $400.00 to $600.00 depending on model, and most often they are 5 to 1, or 7 to 1. These receivers are designed with a different model number just for Costco, but still have the same features as the ones sold with an universal model number, except that Costco offers a pretty good discount.
Also check at "crutchfield.com," although all you save in here is on shipping (free shipping).
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
My best suggestion is to not think about only immediate needs but future needs too. A good receiver is probably still being used upwards of 8-12 or more years from now. I seem to be on a schedule of about every 12-14 years myself. And even when some tech advancement in the A/V space presses you to upgrade it, it will still be able to do what it can do day 1 (so easily moved to another room for full receiver capabilities in there).
Thus, you are really buying a receiver to still be enjoying probably as your main "hub" in 2033-2037. Much like trying to buy the right silicon Mac that can hopefully still serve you 7-9 years out, you play the same prognostication/forecasting game with this purchase if you want to get it as right as possible. And if that means paying a bit more as it does with upgraded Macs, that's what it means. Unlike Apple premiums, even $100 or $200 more can make a HUGE difference in a Receiver that will likely outlast any Apple tech we throw money at with great passion over and over again.
As to specific recommendations, you'll likely just get a list of "what I have" which may or may not perfectly fit your needs. The very best way to deduce "the one" is to invest the time to thoroughly research receivers to zoom in on a short list that scratches every 2025 (as well as best guesses at 2035) itch. Then, dig into what seems to be objective reviews which can be found on the internet by entering the brand name and model number plus the word review. That should cull the list down to maybe a favorite 2 or 3. Watch YouTube "reviews" too- especially those done by what appears to be average Joes- for added insights. Average people not doing it for eyeballs (or basically bribed as an extension of marketing by sellers) will be quick to point out both PROS and CONS.
Then, journey to a retail store(s) that carries those 2 or 3 and check them out in person yourself. That may help you narrow in on 1 favorite, ideal for you in 2025 and 2035. Think through anything & everything you will want to connect and make sure it has the types of connections you need for all such things. Check out the remote even if you will only use it for setting it up. Is the panel readable from your typical seating distance? Does it have the right connections on the front that you can anticipate using for temporary hookups? How would your friend easily connect their <device> to it to show you video or play audio? If Aunt Meg brings over her old VCR to go way down memory lane, do you have the hookups for it or will it be impossible to connect?
As part of doing the research work, you will learn about many features & benefits you may perceive you don't need now... but very well may need in 2028 or 2032. Think through such features vs. where you think you may be in 2028 and 2032. Some of those features- like extra RAM or bigger SSD inside of a new Mac- may be highly desirable out in those years. For example, an often overlooked feature I use quite often is "ZONE 2", which is simply 2 more speaker terminals to play (usually different) audio on another set of speakers in another room. My receiver also has "ZONE 3", which is 2 more speaker terminals to do the same in a THIRD room/space. When a family member moved from their current home to a new one, it was already wired for such zones so it was fast & easy to hook right into their (until then unused) ZONE 2 & 3 terminals and have wired stereo in another room and outside on their back deck.
HDR compatibility? HDR is already here in both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ forms. If your choice of Receiver can't handle it, you have to rig up other options to try to enjoy it on a present or future TV that can display it.
8K capability? While 8K may seem like it is way off in the future, 8K TVs have been sold for 5+ years now, cameras in iPhones for the last 2 years have already had the hardware resolution to shoot 8K video (like Samsung phones since 2020) but it's not yet implemented as an Apple iDevice feature. However, that's just a matter of time... which will then beget an 8K AppleTV which will be best to be able to pass highest resolution through the Receiver to whatever TV you have now... while being able to easily switch up to an 8K TV for your next one. This doesn't work if the Receiver is the weak link. Many receivers already have at least 1 HDMI port capable of 8K, so this is no big cost stretch. It's just a potential addition to your FABs list to help you find "the one."
Since you are probably an Apple person, I strongly recommend getting one with Airplay (which will be probably MOST of the ones available these days). Then you can "throw" music from your Mac or iDevices to your Receiver to enjoy as a music jukebox with TV off. Yes, you can do the same through AppleTV except- unfortunately- the "TV off" part. I use this feature VERY OFTEN... but many people don't think about the need. It's great to have TV off but favorite music playing on what is usually the best speakers you own.
And one more thing: if 4 HDMI ports pretty much would all be used up immediately, I'd seek probably 2+ more HDMI ports to leave unused in 2025. There's always "something" else coming in the A/V world and you don't want to buy your "central hub" and then find yourself having to swap cables frequently because you are out of perhaps the most fundamental port. Yes, there are dedicated little HDMI switcher boxes, but middleman parts like those can introduce other challenges (like CEC issues, HDR passthrough, etc). The very best thing to do with an A/V receiver is have it as the sole connections "hub" for all things to connect now... and probably 10+ years from now.
I hope this helpful. Invest the time and go at this like a very important, long-term purchase... because you'll probably use this far longer than any Apple tech you might buy at the same time. It's worth the time & effort to get it right. 2025 you AND 2035 you will appreciate having invested the time & effort back in 2024 to get this as right as possible. Don't make 2028-29 you frustrated at 2024 you for saving $100 or so back then but now (2028+) you have challenges hooking up some new things because you are out of ports or terminals, etc. Even though this doesn't have to be a very costly experience, it useful-life is VERY LONG relative to most all other tech you might buy at about the same time.
Thus, you are really buying a receiver to still be enjoying probably as your main "hub" in 2033-2037. Much like trying to buy the right silicon Mac that can hopefully still serve you 7-9 years out, you play the same prognostication/forecasting game with this purchase if you want to get it as right as possible. And if that means paying a bit more as it does with upgraded Macs, that's what it means. Unlike Apple premiums, even $100 or $200 more can make a HUGE difference in a Receiver that will likely outlast any Apple tech we throw money at with great passion over and over again.
As to specific recommendations, you'll likely just get a list of "what I have" which may or may not perfectly fit your needs. The very best way to deduce "the one" is to invest the time to thoroughly research receivers to zoom in on a short list that scratches every 2025 (as well as best guesses at 2035) itch. Then, dig into what seems to be objective reviews which can be found on the internet by entering the brand name and model number plus the word review. That should cull the list down to maybe a favorite 2 or 3. Watch YouTube "reviews" too- especially those done by what appears to be average Joes- for added insights. Average people not doing it for eyeballs (or basically bribed as an extension of marketing by sellers) will be quick to point out both PROS and CONS.
Then, journey to a retail store(s) that carries those 2 or 3 and check them out in person yourself. That may help you narrow in on 1 favorite, ideal for you in 2025 and 2035. Think through anything & everything you will want to connect and make sure it has the types of connections you need for all such things. Check out the remote even if you will only use it for setting it up. Is the panel readable from your typical seating distance? Does it have the right connections on the front that you can anticipate using for temporary hookups? How would your friend easily connect their <device> to it to show you video or play audio? If Aunt Meg brings over her old VCR to go way down memory lane, do you have the hookups for it or will it be impossible to connect?
As part of doing the research work, you will learn about many features & benefits you may perceive you don't need now... but very well may need in 2028 or 2032. Think through such features vs. where you think you may be in 2028 and 2032. Some of those features- like extra RAM or bigger SSD inside of a new Mac- may be highly desirable out in those years. For example, an often overlooked feature I use quite often is "ZONE 2", which is simply 2 more speaker terminals to play (usually different) audio on another set of speakers in another room. My receiver also has "ZONE 3", which is 2 more speaker terminals to do the same in a THIRD room/space. When a family member moved from their current home to a new one, it was already wired for such zones so it was fast & easy to hook right into their (until then unused) ZONE 2 & 3 terminals and have wired stereo in another room and outside on their back deck.
HDR compatibility? HDR is already here in both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ forms. If your choice of Receiver can't handle it, you have to rig up other options to try to enjoy it on a present or future TV that can display it.
8K capability? While 8K may seem like it is way off in the future, 8K TVs have been sold for 5+ years now, cameras in iPhones for the last 2 years have already had the hardware resolution to shoot 8K video (like Samsung phones since 2020) but it's not yet implemented as an Apple iDevice feature. However, that's just a matter of time... which will then beget an 8K AppleTV which will be best to be able to pass highest resolution through the Receiver to whatever TV you have now... while being able to easily switch up to an 8K TV for your next one. This doesn't work if the Receiver is the weak link. Many receivers already have at least 1 HDMI port capable of 8K, so this is no big cost stretch. It's just a potential addition to your FABs list to help you find "the one."
Since you are probably an Apple person, I strongly recommend getting one with Airplay (which will be probably MOST of the ones available these days). Then you can "throw" music from your Mac or iDevices to your Receiver to enjoy as a music jukebox with TV off. Yes, you can do the same through AppleTV except- unfortunately- the "TV off" part. I use this feature VERY OFTEN... but many people don't think about the need. It's great to have TV off but favorite music playing on what is usually the best speakers you own.
And one more thing: if 4 HDMI ports pretty much would all be used up immediately, I'd seek probably 2+ more HDMI ports to leave unused in 2025. There's always "something" else coming in the A/V world and you don't want to buy your "central hub" and then find yourself having to swap cables frequently because you are out of perhaps the most fundamental port. Yes, there are dedicated little HDMI switcher boxes, but middleman parts like those can introduce other challenges (like CEC issues, HDR passthrough, etc). The very best thing to do with an A/V receiver is have it as the sole connections "hub" for all things to connect now... and probably 10+ years from now.
I hope this helpful. Invest the time and go at this like a very important, long-term purchase... because you'll probably use this far longer than any Apple tech you might buy at the same time. It's worth the time & effort to get it right. 2025 you AND 2035 you will appreciate having invested the time & effort back in 2024 to get this as right as possible. Don't make 2028-29 you frustrated at 2024 you for saving $100 or so back then but now (2028+) you have challenges hooking up some new things because you are out of ports or terminals, etc. Even though this doesn't have to be a very costly experience, it useful-life is VERY LONG relative to most all other tech you might buy at about the same time.
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