Recently Filed in Receivers

Taking a cue from Pioneer’s recent announcement, Onkyo has just released the specifications of its 2010 entry-level A/V receiver line, all of which include support for HDMI v1.4 (which includes pass-through of 3D video).  The flagship of the entry-level line and, if past models are an indication, likely to be one of the most popular AVRs on the market is Onkyo’s TSX-SR608 7.2 AVR.  Providing 100 watts per channel through an inverted Darlington output topology, along with Audyssey DSX, Dolby PLIIz, and THX Select2 certification,… View this story
Receivers • Product News

Pioneer Electronics, following the release of two 5.1 receivers, has introduced three 7.1 receivers. The VSX-920-K ($399), VSX-1020-K ($549) and VSX-1120-K ($749) 7.1 receivers are all 3D ready. The VSX-920-K and VSX-1020-K are expected to ship in March, while the VSX-1120-K will ship in May or June. Each 7.1 receiver features: DSP powered room equalization Wireless Bluetooth audio streaming and iPhone certification Processing of Dolby TrueHD, ProLogic IIz and DTS Master Audio Control through an iPhone app called iControl AVR Functions of the iControl AVR… View this story
AV Components • Receivers • Home Theater • Product News

Sometimes people ask me why my deals are always low- to mid-market products. It’s mainly because I’m cheap, but also because flagship products usually demand flagship prices, closed distribution networks and warranty restrictions. Luckily, every now and then, a huge online retailer cracks that distribution network and drives down the price of a great flagship product. NewEgg found its way into Onkyo’s authorized dealer network by selling a ton of entry-level receivers and HTiBs. Now they’re leveraging their buying power to bring the price down… View this story
AV Components • Receivers • Deals • Product News

Pioneer has introduced a line of 5.1 channel A/V receivers that can wirelessly transmit audio via Bluetooth. The VSX-520-K and VSX-820-K are 3D ready with the inclusion of HDMI 1.4 and both have at least three HDMI inputs. Other features: Five channels of 110 watts Processing for Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIz Proprietary Pioneer audio technologies like Advanced Sound Retriever, Auto Level Control and Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration “The addition of Bluetooth audio streaming allows consumers to keep their phones close… View this story
Receivers • Bluetooth • Product News

Q. I have a Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, from seven or eight years ago. I have all the supporting high-end equipment of that vintage, all still very good, but no way to access HDMI inputs/outputs, or any computer-loaded media access. Is there a device, preferably wireless, that I could connect to my computer that would allow me to send audio and video content to my receiver for distribution through my present wired connections to my big-screen TV and audio system?—dgruber, Tallahassee, Fla. A. There are… View this story
Receivers • Computer Accessories • Ask a Pro

Just when you thought it was safe to keep your new A/V receiver around for a while—you know, the one you bought in the last couple of years because it included decoding of lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats with 7.1 channels? It may already be time to upgrade, if you’re into the whole 3D thing. Sony has been keeping us up to date at a fast pace with its recent 3D announcements, like new standalone and home theater Blu-ray players that will… View this story
Receivers • Product News

For years San Francisco-based Dolby Laboratories has defined the way people hear movies and television. The company’s influence on electronic media is arguably so strong, a case could be made that home theater would not be the multi-million dollar pastime it is today without the developments it has introduced to the consumer electronics market. Dolby’s TrueHD format is one of the company’s latest audio formats and since its introduction a few years ago it has been caught in the middle of the high-def optical disc… View this story
AV Components • Blu-ray • HD DVD • Receivers • Cables, Wires and Tools • Audio Cables • HDMI • Living Room • Media Room • Rec/Play Room • Info and Answers

Q. I have a Blu-ray player (Samsung BD-P2500) that decodes Dolby TrueHD. It is hooked through HDMI to my Denon 3806 Receiver, which doesn’t have that capability. But shouldn’t I be able to get Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio with that setup? - Pat, Libertyville, Illinois A. No, not necessarily. Your Blu-ray player may be compatible with those formats, but you need a compatible receiver to decode those signals. If your Blu-ray player has multichannel outputs, you can set it up to decode and… View this story
AV Components • Blu-ray • Receivers • Audio • Ask a Pro

It seems the last thing people want is the components of their home theater system to be in plain sight. Rotel isn’t so sure of that. The company’s RSX-1560 surround-sound receiver makes a bold statement—and not just in performance. The brushed silver finish, along with understated and symmetrical hard buttons, blue backlighting and slim on-screen display make for a striking package. Unlike traditional black-box electronics, this is a receiver to show off. Just leave enough room—at 7 inches high it’s bolder than most receivers in… View this story
Receivers • Reviews • Audio • Product News

It’s sometimes hard to convince someone the importance of receiver. When we say the receiver is the heart of your system, it really is an understatement. It doesn’t just pump the blood of your home theater experience - the video and audio - but now can do much of the processing, routing, and control that you needed other devices for in the past. The receiver has become not only the heart but also the brain of you system. Skimping on your receiver will inevitably lead… View this story
Receivers • Video Processors • Reviews • Home Theater • Product News

A source from the Blu-ray Disc Association told Electronic House and sister publication CE Pro at CES 2010 that a possible speed bump in the road to greater adoption of 3D Blu-ray may not come from the TVs, players or content providers; it may come from A/V receivers and HDMI switching devices. While HDMI 1.4 is in the specification for 3D Blu-ray, it’s not a requirement for sending a 3D Blu-ray signal from a player to a television. That’s why Sony’s Playstation 3 can be… View this story
Blu-ray • Receivers • CES • Product News

McIntosh has been busy lately. Fresh off the the announcement of its MXA60 integrated system, the custom electronics manufacturer is introducing three home theater components at CES 2010. The new components are flagship products that can be used to assemble a complete system or used individually. MVP881 BR Universal Audio/Video Player McIntosh is breaking into new product territories with this introduction. Described as the company’s first true universal disc player, the MVP881 can play Blu-ray, DVD, CD, DVD-Audio and SACD discs, and it includes the… View this story
AV Components • Amplifiers • Blu-ray • Preamplifiers • Receivers • CES • Product News