Introduction to Receiver Reviews

While a large HDTV can bring your favorite TV show or movie into your living room, you need a cinematic soundstage to fully bring the theater experience to life in your home. Today’s audio/video receivers are at the heart of any home theater system. The receiver connects all the devices in your home theater including your television, Blu-ray and DVD players, cable and satellite boxes, gaming systems, media servers, and even old legacy devices like CD players. Besides offering all that connectivity, the receiver is really multiple components in one. The receiver is first and foremost a pre-amplifier (or pre-amp) which serves to process and decode everything from two-channel stereo up to 11.2 channels of immersive 3-D surround for formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro:3D. The receiver is also responsible for routing the video signals from each source device to your television. While some receivers are still able to handle legacy analog video inputs, the trend is to support the latest HDMI formats with support for HDCP2.2 and 4K UHD video codecs.

The receiver is also a multi-channel amplifier capable of powering a wide range of speaker configurations, from stereo and traditional 5.1 and 7.1 surround systems, up to the latest 11 channel systems with multiple pairs of height channels. The receiver has traditionally included a tuner for AM/FM radio, but todays’ receivers can now include such things as an HD Radio tuner, room correction, multi-media connectivity, multi-room and multi-zone connectivity, and control apps for your favorite phone or tablet.

The receiver market has always been feature rich with new products updated and released every year or two. Receivers are available in all price ranges, from budget minded options to feature-laden flagship models that command big bucks. Our reviews and bench tests cover the full range of receivers and offer insight into product design, setup, operation, the features and functionality that matter most, and of course how the receiver performed and sounded in our home theaters. Our receiver reviews will help you decide which receiver is right for your home theater and your budget.

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Receivers

Marantz SR6003 7.1 A/V Receiver

Tyler Stripko

Marantz enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the finer consumer electronics companies in the audio/video industry, with products ranging from affordable home theater receivers to the “audiophile” 2-channel components of their highly regarded Reference Line. They also produce some of the best front projection units in the business. While not being sold at many “big box” retailers, Marantz has continued to thrive by producing quality products and selling them primarily through specialty retailers and custom installers. As I unboxed the SR6003 receiver, I was immediately struck by the desire to like this unit. The elegant curves of the front face panel combined with a readily apparent solid build quality captured my attention.  Did the Marantz SR6003 have the audio/video prowess to match its beauty? Let's find out.

Receivers

Denon AVR-2309CI 7.1 A/V Receiver

Gabe Lowe

The Denon AVR-2309CI is the entry level product in Denon's Custom Integration line, which includes receivers specifically designed with custom installers in mind.  It offers extras like an RS-232C port for integration with automation and advanced control systems such as Crestron, and a 12 volt trigger to automate things such as a front projection screen lowering when the system is powered on.

Receivers

Onkyo TX-SR576 7.1 A/V Receiver

Matthew Abel

Last year Onkyo introduced a truly stunning product, the TX-SR605, which offered HDMI 1.3 inputs, HD audio processing and a host of other advanced features at the amazing price point of $599. As 2007 has moved to 2008, Onkyo has now introduced their TX-SRxx6 series receivers and a new model, the Onkyo TX-SR576, that looks to move some of the TX-SR605's novel features to an even lower $479 price point.

Receivers

Denon AVR-689 7.1 A/V Receiver

Gabe Lowe
It amazes me that what passed for a premium feature in A/V receivers two or three years ago can now be found on entry level models.  That is the beauty of progress!  Nowhere is this better exemplified than in the Denon AVR-689.  At an MSRP of $399 it is hard to believe that this unit is so jam packed with bells and whistles. Now this is what I call an affordable - and good - receiver. Read our review to see more.
Receivers

Integra DTR-7.8 A/V Receiver

Ross Jones

The Integra DTR 7.8 seven-channel A/V receiver has cutting edge features such as HDMI 1.3a, and internal processing of the latest hi-resolution audio codecs. It offers THX Ultra2 certification at an amazingly low price, and most importantly, produces the clean, neutral sound that we've come to expect from Integra products. Integra has produced another winner here.

Receivers

Denon AVR-4308CI 7.1 Receiver

Gabe Lowe

Denon's new AVR-4308CI is one heck of a receiver, with 7 x 140 watts and HDMI 1.3 connections, along with Wi-Fi and Ethernet capability. See our review to find out the details.

Receivers

Marantz SR8002 7.1 A/V Receiver

Lee Hower
The Marantz SR8002 7.1 receiver adds HDM 1.3 support and some other things that make it a product that you should audition if you are ready to spring for a new unit. It decodes all the new high def audio formats from Blu-ray discs, so get your tail in gear.
Receivers

Yamaha RX-V2700 7.1 A/V Receiver

Matthew Abel

Over the years, I have reviewed a number of Yamaha's mid-range receivers and have always liked their design and the value they offered. However, I was curious about what stepping up to a more expensive Yamaha model would yield, so I was very excited to have the opportunity to review the RX-V2700.

Receivers
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