Help me to make a home theater decision

January 9, 2023 3:20 PM

Our old home theater audio system (7.1 preamp/processor and separate amps) has begun its age-related downturn. One of the amp channels has gone bad, and the whole thing just doesn't sound as good anymore (after 20 years). So, I am shopping for a budget replacement. Reading reviews and forums, I have narrowed it down to the Yamaha RX-V6A and the Denon AVR-X2700H. Perhaps there are some folks here who can offer some real-world opinions about my needs.

The take away from my reading is that the Denon is the superior surround receiver of the two, but the Yamaha has better sound when listening to music alone. Listening to music is definitely important to us. However, I didn't get the impression that the reviewers or commenters have actually heard both receivers, but were likely just "brand loyal"!

So, can someone here offer me their actual experience in listening to these models? I will also appreciate any other recommendations within the $800 limit (with the "good sound for music" caveat). I am open to used or refurbished, as well.

Thanks for your time!

posted by Don_K to Technology (6 answers total)

As someone who has repaired and bench tested both of these, I can't really offer long term listening comparisons but I can tell you that Yamaha tends to have really aggressive protection/limiter circuits on their AVRs. They won't make their full power for more than a couple of seconds before clamping down on the fun. So, if you like high listening levels you might prefer the Denon. I find the Denon on screen display/ setup interface better thought out than Yamaha's. Denon has their HEOS platform for streaming/sharing audio and Yamaha has Musicast. The apps for both of those seem a bit clunky, I'm not sure there's a clear advantage one way or the other.
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 3:55 PM on January 9, 2023 [1 favorite]

Only because you didn't mention it, you might look up reviews of audyssey vs ypao for room correction. Haven't experienced either.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 4:43 PM on January 9, 2023 [1 favorite]

One of the amp channels has gone bad, and the whole thing just doesn't sound as good anymore (after 20 years).

Have you looked into having the amp repaired? I recently had a much older amp, which was experiencing channel drop-outs, serviced (cleaned, a couple of dodgy capacitors replaced) and now it sings like new. Much cheaper than buying new gear. 20 years really isn’t very old for quality equipment.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:27 AM on January 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks for the advice so far!

I just wanted to respond to Thorzdad's suggestion of having the amp repaired. I will likely repair the two-channel amp that has the issue, but the 6-channel amp just doesn't seem to have that 'pop' anymore. I actually don't know if it's the amp or the pre-amp. Either way, I think I'm ready for something new, with actual HDMI management and a smaller stack of equipment!
posted by Don_K at 7:15 AM on January 10, 2023

Oh and if you don't mind falling down the rabbit hole you might check out the avsforum owners' threads to see how things are going.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 2:29 PM on January 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Update: I found a refurbished X3700H on the Denon site for just a bit more than a new 2700. I just did the initial setup yesterday, and I am pleased with the sound so far. It has so many adjustments available that I will be busy tweaking for some time! Thanks again for your help.
posted by Don_K at 8:14 AM on January 22, 2023 [1 favorite]