AVR Advice

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22-04-2016, 02:53 PM
Blazzok

AVR Advice

I have been looking at decent AVR's for the past month or so now. I currently have a Sony 6.2 Home Theater system (pic below) which has really great and all, but the problem is the amp does not have audio pass-through via HDMI, only video.

http://n2.sdlcdn.com/imgs/a/i/p/Sony...22-2-ef39a.jpg

This sucks because it means it is basically impossible to get surround audio to the speakers. The only way to do this is through Digital Coax and the amplifier only has 1 of those inputs, but it doesn't really help because neither my PC or Xbox have Digital Coax out ports.

So I have been looking at getting a good, future proof AVR that has HDMI2.0 (which allows 4K at 60fps) as well as HDCP2.2. I have mostly been looking at Onkyo and Denon AVR's however the prices are pretty steep. So I have been keeping my eyes on AVforums.co.za for the past month for any great 2nd hand deals.

Are there any audiophiles here that can offer advice in terms of looking at other AVR's perhaps? I'm just thinking that if I am going to spend that much money, I want the thing to last me quite a long time (barring electronic failure of some kind). That is why I am dismissing AVR's that only have HDMI1.4 and that don't support HDCP2.2. Should I really use this as a selection criteria or am I being daft?
Also, my current system has a separate amplifier for the 2 Subs. Will this work with any other AVR?

I don't have a 4K/UHD TV at the moment, but I'd like to know that my AVR can handle it when I decide to get one.
22-04-2016, 03:12 PM
BeoTeK

Well if you're looking to get rid of it let me know ;)

Also, have you considered these wireless sound bars? I've been hearing some great things, just unsure if they have what you're looking for.
22-04-2016, 03:36 PM
Blazzok

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeoTeK

Well if you're looking to get rid of it let me know ;)

Also, have you considered these wireless sound bars? I've been hearing some great things, just unsure if they have what you're looking for.

Haha will do, but the no audio pass through can be annoying.

The thing is I already have the speakers, so I don't want another speaker. Just want the AVR.
22-04-2016, 03:36 PM
Glordit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazzok

I have been looking at decent AVR's for the past month or so now. I currently have a Sony 6.2 Home Theater system (pic below) which has really great and all, but the problem is the amp does not have audio pass-through via HDMI, only video.

Have you looked at the option of getting a new amp, or AV receiver as opposed to a whole new system?
*EDIT*
My bad! Looked at it as if you wanted a new System.
22-04-2016, 03:38 PM
Blazzok

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glordit

Have you looked at the option of getting a new amp, or AV receiver as opposed to a whole new system?

That is exactly what I want, just a new AVR (AV Receiver). I don't want a whole new system. I want to keep all of my current speakers and subs, I just want to replace the amp.
22-04-2016, 03:46 PM
Glordit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazzok

That is exactly what I want, just a new AVR (AV Receiver). I don't want a whole new system. I want to keep all of my current speakers and subs, I just want to replace the amp.

I know Denon and Yamaha have AMP/AVR's that can do HDCP and HDMI 2.0+ with audio pass through. You would have to check the specification of your speakers before getting a new one.

Here is a Denon and a Yamaha:
http://www.av-online.co.za/r2/denon-...bluetooth.html
http://www.av-online.co.za/r2/surrou...e-special.html

*edit*
I know of pioneer ones but, as far as I remember they where mostly 5.1. Onkyo also some some reasonably priced AVR's.

My advice is go to a Audio specialist place (Hi-Fi corp and Makro, only sell set's they don't normally do AVR's and AMP's). Tell then what you have and they can recommend a AVR.
22-04-2016, 04:30 PM
oltman

I know this wont be of too much help now, since Sony pulled out the country, but I picked up an STR-DN1050 AVR for around R7k the week after Sony announced they are no longer going to have a consumer product presence. It has 4K and 3D passthrough as well as 4K upscaling (not too bad too!). Below is the full set of features.

I have had it for over a year now and it sound fantastic. I also had a very old Sony AVR with some Sony speakers from about 10 years back and the speakers will probably need to be upgraded to get its full use. The AVR's specs are found here.

As for HDCP 2.2 and HDMI 2, not sure how soon these will actually make a difference. You will need a source and an output of the same or better spec to make use of it, and the source is going to be the biggest problem for the next few years I think, especially 60fps. I have a Samsung SUHD TV and the little bit of 4K content looks great (mainly demo files and Youtubes)! It shines best though when the AVR upscales blu-rays to 4K... WOW!!!

In short, I would save money and buy decent AVR that is not cutting edge. For the amount of times you use HDMI 2 and HDCP 2.2 I don't think it is worth the extra money. But that's just me!