Top Picks

2017 Top Picks Of the Year A/V Receivers

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A/V Receivers

Rotel RAP-1580 Amplified Surround Processor
(November) Technically not an A/V receiver (no radio tuner), the seven-channel RAP-1580 (with 7.1.4 Atmos and DTS:X processing) is expensive, retro-chic beautiful, and heavenly sounding. $3,800, rotel.com

Marantz SR7011 A/V Receiver
(May) Marantz continues it long line of recommendable premium AVRs in last year’s flagship SR7011, with nine powerful amp channels (enough on board for full 5.1.4 immersive sound), HEOS wireless multiroom, excellent Audyssey room correction, and what audio editor Mark Fleischmann described as a “sweet and musical” top end. $2,199, us.marantz.com

Yamaha RX-A2070 A/V Receiver
(February/March 2018) A fully equipped nine-channel AVR that delivers all the 5.1.4 Atmos/DTS:X goodness you crave, along with Yamaha’s MusicCast multiroom capabilities and, believe it or not, a few proprietary DSP-driven listening modes that even an audiophile can love (“Chamber,” anyone?). $1,600, usa.yamaha.com

Outlaw Audio RR2160 Stereo Receiver
(November) This incredibly solid, powerfully robust, and retro-looking two-channel receiver, a long-awaited update to Outlaw’s RR2150, is a great-sounding audiophile wonder that hearkens back to the 1970s/1980s dorm room classic while adding modern twists like a fine-quality DAC and PC-friendly USB input. $799, outlawaudio.com

Pioneer VSX-832 A/V Receiver (See "Value")

COMMENTS
Traveler's picture
Submitted by Traveler on January 20, 2018 - 12:58pm

I bought a Sony Bravia X900E 55" and a Roku Ultra box and am very satisfied, it perfectly fills the field of view at 8' and the sound is just fine. Was going to buy an matching player but Netflix doesn't seem to carry 4K disks so I'm sticking with my OPPO 105D.

brenro's picture
Submitted by brenro on January 21, 2018 - 8:36am

I've been using these guys.

German-Pete's picture
Submitted by German-Pete on February 13, 2018 - 8:57am

Sorry, but the combination of ELAC with Roon (Essentials) is not at all professional. Since November 2017 Mac-, IOS- and Android-Apps are buggy. Freeze or shutdown when selecting Settings/Storage or Services and according to the Roon forums I am not the only one. From German Elac Support: "Unfortunately, we have no control over the software / firmware provided by Roon….". That is the position of Roon (Mike Roon Labs): "First, I should note that Roon and Roon Essentials are different products, with support for Roon Essentials handled by ELAC." Haaha.

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