Help me pick a new receiver

The Marantz NR 1606 is decent, will do all you've asked about, have a similar app (Denon and Marantz are owned by the same parent company), and it will run you $499 on Amazon (prime shipping). $50 less will get you a refurbished model.

They do have a newer version out, but I don't think you'd need it.


There are plenty of other options out there, but I just bought that one for my father.

8 HDMI 2.0 in, HDCP 2.2 compliant, zone 2 powered or line out, no zone 2 video (must step up to a bit more expensive model to get that), Bluetooth, airplay, wifi and Ethernet. The control app is pretty nice. It can all be controlled by the device's IP address through a webpage, too, if you prefer (like on a laptop. Or at least the setup can be done. I think volume/input is an option, too). Then, of course, streaming radio, Pandora, iHeartRadio. I think Spotify. Standard AM/FM. lastly, it has main zone L/R RCA out if you find it underpowered and wanted to add an amp (low likelihood).

There pioneer app is also quite nice/useful. SO's parents use it for dual zone use. Does a good job of sorting libraries on attached storage, too.

I don't know if I want to get another Denon. The last two I've had both had issues.

On my most current one, the front left channel has died. It only produces a tiny crackling sound...almost like a muted version of a torn speaker cone. I verified it's not my speakers or speaker wire. I opened up the receiver to see if I could find any loose connections inside. Beyond that, I don't know how to troubleshoot it.

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Marantz SR7008

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Any reason you went 7 series over 6? I'm an sr6009 owner myself but didn't need the extra extra HDMI out or small bump in power. I more or less just like to hear about badass setups and am curious as to what you're doing with that machine.

The 7s use Audyssey MultiEQ XT32 for the automated speaker calibrations. The 6s use the XT version. Also the 7s come with Audyssey SubEQ which lets you calibrate dual subwoofers if you have them.

Whether or not XT32/SubEQ is a significant upgrade or not I don't really know. If you google, there are several threads on various HT sites and the general consensus is it makes a difference especially for multichannel audio (movies and tv) which is my primary use.

If you don't use the automated calibration then it wouldn't matter, but I think most people do.

My HT is in the basement of my townhouse and it is far from ideal acoustically. So I wanted to have the best room correction technology and I got a great deal at the time so it was an easy decision.

I believe that model only supports HDMI 1.4. While it supports pass through of 4K; it wouldn't support 4K@60Hz only 30Hz. Also 1.4 doesn't support HDCP 2.2 which means 4K copy protected content won't work either.

If I was buying a new receiver today I'd want one that supports HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2.

If you are going to have a 4K DVD player or have Direct TV 4K services, I would wait to buy a receiver. Best Buy sent out an email in reference to 4K video not passing through any of their receivers....

We have actually had numerous clients calling with the same exact issue is you. All of them had different receivers is not just pioneer. We think that there some type of formatting issue with DirecTV like I said you were not the only one a client that we have dealing with this right now. As soon as I have some more answers I will be in touch with you I'm sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Sent from my iPhone

I think a lot of Best Buy's issues are the end user not knowing what they are doing.

I've seen 4K pass through hundreds of AVRs

That would be nice because it pisses me off that I cannot play the sound from my living room TV outside. Also a Denon but I don't think I have "party mode"