Top 10 Home Theater A/V Receivers

Given the extensive range of A/V receivers from many brands, it is becoming increasingly difficult for buyers to figure out which one to buy. As individual needs and preferences vary, we’ve picked ten of the latest receivers from a few price points that offer good performance from a value-for-money standpoint. This list is updated monthly. Feel free to use this as a starting point to search for the A/V receiver that caters best to your needs.

July 2010 update:

Holding on to top spot is Onkyo’s flagship TX-NR5007 which offers a mouthwatering feature set and top notch video performance thanks to its HQV Reon chipset. It continues to garner excellent reviews by users and is chocking strong sales helped partly by a huge 44% discount at Amazon.

Also popular are Pioneer and Onkyo’s new 3-D capable receivers that come with the latest HDMI 1.4a standard. They are known for producing cutting edge products that constantly challenge the price/performance ratio. The new Pioneer VSX-1020-K retains the 2nd spot while the Onkyo HT-RC260 which offers great value for its excellent performance is 3rd. The new Yamaha RX-V667 and the latest networked receiver from Onkyo, the TX-NR708 made their debut on the list. Not to be outdone, Denon has also released their new 3D line beginning with the Denon AVR 2311CI.

So here are the Top 10 A/V receivers:

Onkyo TX-NR5007 – As Onkyo’s flagship model for the network generation, the TX-NR5007 ($2699) offers a mouthwatering feature set designed to satisfy even the most demanding home theater purist. The expanded 9.2-channel configuration allows you to enjoy multi-zone playback as well as the latest surround formats by Dolby, DTS, and Audyssey. Advanced networking capability, meanwhile, enables you to incorporate PC-based audio and internet radio into your home theater set-up. Video signals fed through this receiver get the luxury treatment, thanks to HQV Reon-VX processing, ISF calibration, and 1080p upscaling of all video sources via HDMI 1.3a. In the engine room, the TX-NR5007 boasts an impressive array of audiophile-grade components, including large, customized transistors to drive high currents and 22,000 pF capacitors to support a huge and stable power supply. Add to that high-quality 32-bit Burr-Brown DACs, ultra-low-jitter circuitry, and independent power supplies for amplifier, video, and audio circuitry, and you have a networking powerhouse equipped to deliver an immaculate A/V performance every time.
List Price: $2699.00 Now Going for 44% Off at Amazon

Actual user review:
“I purchased the Onkyo TX-NR5007 in February 2010 to replace my Onkyo TX-SR806. Going from the 806 to the 5007 was like day and night. The sound from the 5007 is easily the best I’ve heard from any receiver. I work in an electronics store and I hear many units daily from the Denon AVR-4810CI and the Pioneer Elite SC-27 and they, in my opinion, can’t match the Onkyo in terms of sound and features.

The new TX-NR5007 have 192kHz/32bit Burr-Brown DACs, and 4 independent power supplies for better sound. Along with those features for sound, this receiver includes the HQV Reon 1080p upscaling that even makes my HD inputs look better when compared to the Faroudja chip that was in the TX-SR806. For those interested in making the picture look even better, it’s ISF certified and you can use this feature to professionally calibrate day and night picture modes for each input.

The networking features also great. I use Pandora radio a few times a week and am very happy with the quality. I had a problem setting it up though. None of the stations showed up on my internet radio until after I reset the entire receiver. This receiver can also stream music from media servers such as your PC, and it can also play music off of a USB hard drive or thumb drive.” – T. Nguyen (Denver,CO)
Pioneer VSX-1020-K – The 7.1 channel Pioneer VSX-1020-K receiver is one of those mid-priced units that is well positioned to jostle for a piece of the 3D pie. It is comes with many innovative features like iPhone support, Dolby Pro Logic IIz surround, Sirius satellite radio capability, and Anchor Bay video processing for pristine video performance.
List Price: $549.00 Check latest offer

Actual user review:
“Just set this up and was very impressed with it. Connecting my speakers was pretty easy, even with the speaker connections being pretty close together. Connected my satellite box, Xbox 360 and blu-ray player with ease. The MCACC setup was impressive. It even told me when I had a speaker connected out of phase and that my subwoofer’s volume was set too high. After correcting these few problems, the rest of the speaker set up went with ease. The blu-ray player looked and sounded great with this receiver. Master and Commander, Saving Private Ryan and Star Trek all looked and sounded great. The cannon blasts in Master and Commander almost shook me off the sofa. I had to turn the volume down for the opening battle. The D-Day invasion in Private Ryan was much the same. Gun shots zinged all around me and almost made me duck a few times. The little things sounded great, too. In M&C, the lapping of the waves against the ship and the ships creaking all sounded great. All in all, this is a very impressive receiver and is a very good piece of equipment for the money. My other complaint with it is the remote has very small buttons for my fingers. Other than that, the remote is sleek and quite usable. The buttons are mostly well placed and it is very easy to use. If you want a future proofed receiver, I would highly recommend it.” – D. Pauley (Charleston,WV)
Onkyo HT-RC260 – Even though this is an entry level receiver, the feature set is impressive and is more than capable of delivering high end performance when matched with the right display and speakers. The 100 watts power output per channel is capable of delivering room shaking sound when matched with mid to large sized speakers.
List Price: $549.00 Now at 33% Off!

Actual user review:
“This receiver is an exceptional value for this price range. You get a ton of features including some that you can’t find on comparably price Yamaha’s, Denon’s, or Sony’s. For example, this receiver supports HDMI 1.4 with 3-D and return audio which can’t be found on a slightly more expensive Yamaha unit. The RC260 is presumably based on the SR608 but lacks VGA (who cares), THX certification, and the Sirius input. It does, however, have the fan on top of the unit which means it runs quite a bit cooler than previous Onkyo offerings. It also tends to have a just a smidge more power than other brands if that is of any concern to you. Another note, the unit is quite beefy, beefier than I expected. You may want to actually measure out the dimensions with a tape measure so you can get an idea of what shelves it will fit on. Overall, this is a fantastic receiver for this price and, contains a ton of bells and whistles you can’t find on other receivers in this range. It also sounds great and should have all of the connections you need for your A/V equipment.” – J. M. Wetterich (Kansas, USA)
Onkyo TX-SR608 – It may be called an “entry-level” A/V receiver, but when you witness the full potential of the Onkyo TX-SR608, you know the level you’re entering is far beyond the ordinary. For a start, you get six of the latest HDMI 1.4 inputs for simple hook-up of all your high-def sources. HDMI 1.4 also brings compatibility with the new 3-D video format, as well as an ARC (Audio Return Channel) from your display back to the receiver. Complementing HDMI on the input front, you have an analog RGB video input for connecting your PC, and a Universal Port for Onkyo peripherals. All video sources, regardless of resolution, can be upscaled to 1080p via HDMI and Faroudja DCDi Cinema. Audio processing incorporates Burr-Brown DACs, lossless Dolby and DTS codecs, and the expanded surround formats of Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz. Three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry and jitter-cleaning technology work to ensure precise and faithful amplification. In recognition of the TX-SR608’s outstanding performance, it has been awarded THX Select2 Plus Certification.
List Price: $599.00 Check latest offer
Onkyo TX-NR708 – With 7 HDMI 1.4a inputs, the TX-NR708 offers ample connection possibilities as well as 3D video compatibility. One of the HDMI inputs is conveniently located on the front panel, along with a USB input for flash memory devices and iPods. If you want to connect a non-HDMI multichannel component the TX-NR708 sports a full complement of 7.1-channel analog inputs. It has low-jitter Burr-Brown DACs and sophisticated Audyssey MultEQ room-correction onboard, along with lossless HD audio formats and the expansive surround dimensions of Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz.
List Price: $899.00 Now at 33% Discount
Yamaha RX-V2065 – Yamaha’s new RX-V2065 7.2-channel AV receiver offers great HD audio and video performance and enhanced user experience features for enjoying movies and music from any home. Highlights of this receiver include a newly-developed, easy-to-use on-screen GUI, 4 HDMI inputs, 1080p video upscaling and a full complement of HD Audio codecs, as well as support for HD Radio, XM and Sirius Satellite Radio, iPods and Bluetooth devices. The RX-V2065 features Yamaha’s proprietary Pure Direct technology, a special listening mode that provides audiophile grade signal purity. Rounding out this model’s advanced audio and video feature set are Yamaha’s Digital ToP-ART and High Current Amplification technology with discrete amp configuration, Deep Color (30/36 bit) technology, 120Hz/24Hz Refresh Rates and Auto Lip-Sync compensation, which automatically eliminates audio/video sync issues. Cutting edge technology that translates to a better home theater experience.
List Price: $1299.95 Now at 50% Off at Amazon
Yamaha RX-V667 – The Yamaha RX-V667 is a replacement for the RX-V665 and comes with many additional features and connectivity options. There are 2 additional HDMI inputs, a new GUI for its on-screen display (OSD), along with 7.2-channel output with discrete amplifiers for all channels. It is even certified to work with your iPod and iPhone. To support 3D playback, it has the latest HDMI ver1.4a inputs with Audio Return Channel (ARC). HDMI 1.4a brings compatibility with the new 3D video format.
List Price: $599.95 Check latest offer
Yamaha RX-V467 – The value for money and highly versatile Yamaha RX-V467 gives you the latest in HDMI functionality, including 3D-ready support and Audio Return Channel, plus advanced HD Audio decoding with CINEMA DSP, YPAO, and SCENE technologies for ease-of-use. There are 4 HDMI inputs and one HDMI output are located at the top row for ease of connection. You also get 2 component video inputs, 5 sets of composite video inputs and 2 sets of optical and coaxial digital audio inputs.
List Price: $379.95 Check latest offer
Denon AVR 2311CI – With an expanded feature set geared towards the home theater enthusiast and custom integrator, the AVR-2311CI sets a new standard for performance, features and ease of use. It’s also one the first to come equipped with HDMI 1.4a connectivity, including 3D pass-through (Broadcast and Blu-ray), along with Audio Return Channel. The AVR-2311CI’s 7-channel amplifier produces 735-watts of total power (105 per channel), delivering detail and dynamics to music and movie soundtracks. The amplifiers can be configured for 7.2 channel surround sound, or a 5.2 channel system in the “main” room and power a pair of speakers in a second “zone”. It’s equipped with 1080p and 3D (all formats) compatible HDMI 1.4a Repeating technology, delivering both audio and video to your HDTV with single HDMI cable .
List Price: $899.99 Check latest offer
Sony STR-DH810 – The brand new STR-DH810 continues the great value for money performance of its older sibling DH800. It comes with 7 high definition inputs comprising of 4 HDMI inputs (up to 1080/24p capable) and 3 component inputs (1080/60i capable). This 7.1-channel receiver has LPCM, Dolby® trueHD and dts®-HD decoding technologies. It also features wireless 2nd zone audio capabilities, which allows you transmit wireless audio in up to 10 additional rooms via optional S-AIR™ accessories. Additional features include Audio Return Channel which eliminates the need for extra cables connected to your TV, and standby pass-through that lets you access all of your HDMI connected devices without having to power on the receiver.
List Price: $399.99 Check latest offer

Choosing an AV Receiver

The home theater AV receiver is the control center of a home theater system. Its primary task is to deliver audio to the speakers. It is also capable of source switching which can greatly simplify the task of selecting what source you want to watch, be it a DVD player, a blu-ray player or cable TV, etc. Most AV receivers can accept and route audio and video through an all-digital HDMI connection, which carries both audio and video signals. Many receivers also include sophisticated video-processing features, such as upscaling, which optimizes standard-definition video input to high-def resolution for display on an HDTV or HD projector.

Here are some other things to consider before you purchase an AV receiver:

How any audio channels do you want or need? You’ll see five-channel and seven-channel receivers. The advantage of the extra rear channels in seven-channel systems is that they can do a better job of creating a convincing surround-sound field. The disadvantage is that many listening locations can’t easily accommodate proper placement of the additional speakers, and relatively few DVDs — and no HDTV broadcasts or cablecasts – are encoded with the extra rear channel, although it can be derived by home theater receivers with the proper processing circuitry. Some Blu-ray Discs do offer seven-channel sound.
Don’t forget the video. Delivering sound is still the most important factor, but home theater receivers also include video capabilities, making them the hub of a home theater system. All but the least expensive receivers can switch HDMI signals, and many can do video processing, deinterlacing signals and even upconverting them to 1080p for output via HDMI. That can reduce the typical rat’s nest of home theater wiring to just a couple of cables. However, video processing is typically a weakness compared to that found in better video gear.
Auto-setup can be helpful. Many receivers include sophisticated auto-setup routines that simplify the job of setting up the speakers. The best ones work relatively well, but results vary depending on the speakers and the room’s acoustics. However, while audiophiles might still prefer to make settings manually, auto-setup can help an inexperienced user get better results.
Check the manufacturer’s policy before buying online. Some manufacturers have strict policies regarding authorized dealers. Denon, for example, clearly warns prospective buyers that their warranty is not valid if they don’t purchase their receiver from an authorized retailer or if the serial number has been removed or replaced to prevent tracing the receiver’s original source. Some retailers do offer their own warranties in such cases, but the decision on whether on not that’s sufficient is one that should be carefully weighed.