Need a cheap new AVR

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Posted on September 6, 2023 at 15:28:28

Ozzie
Audiophile

Posts: 3962
Joined: August 1, 2002

The Denon surround integrated we have bit the dust. I run fiber from my TV to a Schitt DAC. I use the RCA outputs of the DAC to the current AVR. The center and 2 Surrounds are all I need it to power. The mains are fed from RCA out L and R. The sub is fed off the mains preamp.

Is there an AVR for under 700 dollars that can replace this? It must have RCAs for L and R. I see some, but they all say subwoofer L and R.

RE: Need a cheap new AVR

lokie

09:06:57 08/01/24

Ordered a Marantz

Ozzie

10:44:46 11/16/23

4

Not what I would do...

budget fi

05:54:23 11/18/23

3

...

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I'm a bit corn fused., posted on September 8, 2023 at 15:22:52

budget fi
Audiophile

Posts: 739
Location: seattle
Joined: August 8, 2004

You run stereo RCA's into the avr? That would require the avr to turn it into surround like the very first surround avr's. I know we love our dacs but really you would have better surround sound by running toslink from the tv straight to the avr. That way you would have a true DD 5.1 signal instead of suedo surround.

As for what avr I'm amazed how many modern really nice $1k plus avr's end up in the second hand store for less than a hundred bucks.

RE: I'm a bit corn fused., posted on September 8, 2023 at 15:45:11
Ozzie Audiophile Posts: 3962 Joined: August 1, 2002	Good info. Thank you for the info.

RE: I'm a bit corn fused., posted on September 8, 2023 at 15:58:16

pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008

Other than 'suedo' starting with a 'P',
I give you 100%.

My memory even goes back to the original 'matrix' stuff....using phase....in the form of SQ or QS or whatever it was called
I even experimented to great effect making my OWN matrix system......

But one thing? Why surprised? Builders of AVR are building for the 'Churn' where stuff lasts only so long and even if it doesnt' break, it is not 'brand new latesst' with 30 amplifier channels and a built in backscratcher.....
Best of luck finding a proprietary chip for any of those AVRs......And I'll bet $$$ that the boards are the lowest cost cardboard and not G10 or FR-4 or whatever a premium material may be......
Too much is never enough

RE: Need a cheap new AVR, posted on September 8, 2023 at 16:29:16
dean_martin Audiophile Posts: 1822 Location: lower alabama Joined: January 26, 2006	Take a look at the Marantz NR series of slimline receivers. I've had an older model for several years running a 2.1 system. Check out the specs of the NR1510 on a site like Crutchfield.

Could be...., posted on September 8, 2023 at 16:33:51
budget fi Audiophile Posts: 739 Location: seattle Joined: August 8, 2004	... his 2-channel set up is so nice stereo thru the dac probably sounds sublime. Anything for $700 would definitely sound like cardboard compared to the rest of his system but there is something to be said for a 5.1 mix as intended. I would look for an avr with preamp outs even if it meant buying used.

RE: Need a cheap new AVR, posted on September 8, 2023 at 19:29:50
Doublej Audiophile Posts: 771 Location: Boston Joined: January 11, 2009	In addition to being available on the Marantz NR1510, RCA L/R inputs are also available on the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX104, Yamaha RX-V385, RX-V485, RX-V585, OnkyoTX-NR696 to name a few. Older models are more likely to have RCA inputs than the newer models. Go to Accessories4less.com and look at the rear of the units. That how I found those above.

RE: Need a cheap new AVR, posted on September 11, 2023 at 09:02:17

Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 17081
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
Since: March 1, 1999

Like budget fi, I'm trying to understand what you're wanting to do.

It seems to me that the Schitt DAC isn't needed for the AVR for the TV. Run the TV optical output into the AVR and use it for the surrounds. The preamp outs from the AVR connects to your stereo preamp to drive the main speakers and the AVR handles the Dolby surround DAC.

If your TV has an eARC HDMI input, you can connect all your HDMI inputs to the ARV. Then, connect the HDMI out to the TV's eARC connection. Just turn on the TV and it will turn on the ARV automatically and turn it off when you turn off the TV.

The problem is that I didn't see much in an inexpensive AVR that has preamp outs. Why they add sub woofer outs and not preamp outs is strange. I did find a Yamaha that still has preamp outs for the main for under $900.

-Rod

https://www.amazon.com/YAMAHA-AVENTAGE-7-2-Channel-Receiver-

My very old solution, posted on September 11, 2023 at 12:15:00

G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 9029
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
Since: May 23, 2023

It let's me have HT integration w/o any HT in my 2 channel path.

It is however suck on a very old version of Dolby Digital decoding for HT.

Gsquared

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143842275252

RE: Need a cheap new AVR, posted on September 20, 2023 at 05:45:50
lokie Audiophile Posts: 2021 Location: Georgia, USA Joined: January 28, 2003	I have two highly regarded (but older) AVR's I'll let go at a bargain. Too heavy to ship. I'm in the ATL area.

Ordered a Marantz, posted on November 16, 2023 at 10:44:46

Ozzie
Audiophile

Posts: 3962
Joined: August 1, 2002

So I ordered a Marantz SR5014. I does all I want it to, plus more. I am not sure I care to run the video signal through it as video as it is currently is excellent. I just want the Marantz for surround sound, not video switching. Eventually I may set the Marantz up to do switching and control of audio and video.

At first, I'll run fiber to my little Schitt DAC from the TV, then go from the DAC to the Marantz RCA Analog inputs. Then run the Front L and R outputs to my big rig pre amp, as it is now. As the Pass has theater pass through the Marantz would control volume settings. If possible I'd have a video HDMI cable between the Marantz to the TV so I can do on screen setup, if it can be done that way.

Any comments on that config?

Not what I would do..., posted on November 18, 2023 at 05:54:23

budget fi
Audiophile

Posts: 739
Location: seattle
Joined: August 8, 2004

I would run my tv optical straight to the Marantz and skip the dac for better dolby digital 5.1 surround. Running stereo rca into the Marantz to then make up a 5.1 mix will never be as good no matter how good the dac is.

You could try it both ways and no harm in either I suppose but if you want what is closer to what you hear in a movie theater let the Marantz decode a digital signal instead of an analog signal. It's been a while since I've had a preamp with home theater bypass so I forget the exact setup but your new HT receiver has LR mains preamp outputs so should be pretty simple.

EDIT: Looking at your profile and equipment and I must say it's a beautiful setup. While modern inexpensive dac's sound really good your weakest link is the Schitt Modi. I suspect the dac in your new Marantz as well as your Marantz cd player will be just as good if not better.

That's where I got it., posted on December 9, 2023 at 13:05:21
Ozzie Audiophile Posts: 3962 Joined: August 1, 2002	I got the 1499 Marantz unit (SR6014) for 699. Y'all were right, it basically blows the old school Denon out of the water. Now what to do with the 4 month old Schitt DAC.

I agree, leave the Schitt out........nt., posted on December 15, 2023 at 09:31:31
ABliss Audiophile Posts: 1580 Joined: March 16, 2001 Contributor Since: August 3, 2002	Nt.

RE: Not what I would do..., posted on December 17, 2023 at 18:41:56

Doublej
Audiophile

Posts: 771
Location: Boston
Joined: January 11, 2009

I would start with e-arc from the Samsung TV to the Marantz, L/R pre-outs of the Marantz into the Home Theater bypass input on the Pass preamplifier. I think for each channel in the Marantz you can specify if the signal should go to the pre-out or the Marantz speaker output.

If this proves to be unsatisfactory, then I would try optical output from the TV into the Marantz.

In the Marantz, you'll want to configure the L/R speakers to be full range.

RE: Not what I would do..., posted on July 29, 2024 at 03:18:17
vinylvin Audiophile Posts: 17 Location: New England Joined: July 4, 2014	The Denon might not be dead. Mine was also, I found out if you blow air into the headphone jack/hole it comes back to life, mine did.

RE: Need a cheap new AVR, posted on August 1, 2024 at 09:06:57
lokie Audiophile Posts: 2021 Location: Georgia, USA Joined: January 28, 2003	I have some old school AVR's that have "real" transformers. Very heavy and sound fabulous. If interested reach out to me and I'll send you some pictures. Brands are Marantz and Denon. My price will be cheapo but shipping will be $100 or so.

Video Asylum

Need a cheap new AVR

108.147.171.28