2011 $2000 A/V Receiver Comparison Guide

Let me start off with two disclaimers. First, I really tried to put more receivers in this comparison. I thought for sure there would be more offerings out there. And if you have $2k in your pocket, there are. But this is a comparison article where we compare features. I just can't, in good conscience, include receivers (or separates solutions) that are still touting their HDMI 1.3 connections or have feature sets that are so out of date as to be almost laughable. Sure, the fanboys and audiophiles will argue that you don't really need HDMI 1.4a or all those DSPs and amplifiers, but the fact is that such offerings would fare so poorly in a such an article that it really doesn't do anyone any good. There are entire forums where talk of rigorous testing is banned where you can read all sorts of detailed "reviews" of how much better receivers without features "sound" compared with their full featured brethren.

Second, to the manufacturers out there (all of you, since you've all contacted us at one point) - please read the text below:

Don't ask us why we didn't include X on our feature list or why we have feature Y listed incorrectly. We got our information the same way your consumers do - from your website. If you let your marketing drones run your website without any oversight, it isn't our fault that you have incorrect information. You want corrections? Correct your website and then point us to the corrections. That way, not only do we have the correct specs, so do you. Why almost none of you think HDMI Standby Pass-through is important enough to list on your spec sheets baffles us probably as much as it baffles you.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, this comparison, as modest as it is, comes to you by popular request. The Yamaha RX-A3010 preview generated a lot of interest and we got a flood of questions about how it compares to the competition (or the original RX-A3000 Aventage Receiver for that matter). As you can see, there isn't a ton of competition at this price point but there is, surprisingly, some pretty important differences between the competitors. First some similarities. All the models have nine internal amps and two extra pairs of binding posts (for connecting up to 11 speakers) which greatly increases their flexibility. They all sport at least three zones of audio, have tons of custom installer features, have robust discrete amplifier sections, HDMI 1.4a inputs, are Made for iPhone certified and have an app available in the iTunes store. None of them have an official Android app yet (though Onkyo announced one for August and Yamaha promises one in September). They all have an on-screen GUI which is overlaid on HDMI. They are all full-featured and any one would make a good purchase. But which is the best for you? Read on.

Yamaha RX-A3010

We covered this receiver in depth in our preview but we'll go over it a bit more here. The RX-A3010 has a very competitive feature set hamstringed somewhat by Yamaha's propensity towards using proprietary solutions. While we've no problem with their proprietary presence channels (they did presence long before Audyssey DSX and Dolby ProLogic IIz came along) and their YPAO room correction, it does make it slightly harder to compare their offerings. Of course, 3D and Audio Return Channel (ARC) are on board, as is HDMI Standby Pass-through. They are using their new YPAO Multi-point measurement room correction system which can actually measure the angles of your speakers. No one beats the number of inputs/outputs on the RX-A3010 (8/2 HDMI, 4/1 component, 5/1 composite, 3/3 coaxial/optical digital audio).

The Yamaha RX-A3010 has a few standout features. First, it is the only receiver that supports four zones of audio (Zone 4 is optical only, but it is a fourth zone) and it is the only receiver that can output something other than composite video to Zone 2 (s-video and component are all supported). It has an HD radio tuner with iTunes tagging (another unique feature) and sports HQV Vida upconversion with video calibration options. According to the spec sheet is has 192kHz/24-bit Burr-Brown DACs on all channels. Like the Denon, it has 11.2 channel pre-outs for adding amps/zones. It has 150 watts per channel plus DLNA 1.5 and Windows 7 certification. It can stream Pandora, Rhapsody, SIRIUS Internet Radio, Napster and vTuner Internet Radio services plus it has iApp and browser control. It is about the same size as the Onkyo but is 15lbs lighter at 40.1 pounds.

Under the "other" row we list the things that the manufacturers are touting which may or may not be unique to their offering. With the RX-A3010 they are touting their CINEMA DSP HD3 - a DSP that seeks to replicate the same effect as having additional speakers up front. Other features include their A.R.T. Wedge, which is basically a 5th foot in the center of the receiver to reduce vibration, symmetrical power amplifier layout and H-shaped cross member frame which are self-explanatory, and an eco-friendly design with auto power down. Yamaha is sending a bit of a mixed message here but the result is clear - they are trying to cover all their bases.

Denon AVR-4311CI

I can hear the cries of "foul" now. Yes the AVR-4311CI is long in the tooth (if receivers had a birthday, it would be almost exactly a year younger than the Yamaha RX-A3010). Yes, Denon will probably release the new one before this article gets through the vetting and editing process. And no, I don't care. We have to write these things sometime. Now is that time. At $101 MSRP more than the Yamaha, the Denon holds up pretty well. It has 140 watts per channel, sports HDMI 1.4a inputs (7/2) and ARC. HDMI Standby Pass-thru is not listed but probably supported. It has both Dolby ProLogic IIz and Audyssey DSX on board for additional speaker support and three component (one less than the Yamaha, same as the Onkyo) and five composite video inputs (a single output for each). It has the lowest number of digital audio inputs (two each coaxial and optical) but it does have 11.2 analogue outputs for additional speakers/amps/zones. Most importantly, for many, it includes Audyssey's newest MultEQ (XT32) which has the ability to calibrate two subs simultaneously and individually - a huge boon for those with multiple subs (which should be everyone at this price point).

The Denon AVR-4311CI has the established Anchor Bay ABT-2015 upconverting chipset for video upconversion and doesn't specify that it has any calibration options. Like the Yamaha it specifies 24-bit/192-kHz DACs (these from AKM Semiconductor), but Denon also says that they have 2 per channel differential. The AVR-4311CI has Windows 7 and DLNA 1.5 certification and is the only receiver with Apple AirPlay (available as a free update). The AVR-4311CI supports network streaming from Rhapsody, Napster, flickr , Pandora, and internet radio via RadioDenon.com and can be controlled by an iApp. The Denon supports three zones of audio with composite video out to Zone 2. The Denon is the lightest (38.2 pounds) and smallest (nearly a full inch shorter and thee inches shallower) than the rest. It is the only receiver in the comparison that has both a front and rear mounted USB port.

The Denon AVR-4311CI touts a preamp-only mode which completely shuts down the amplifier section for those that want to use external amplification. They brag on their equal power amp design (something everyone at the price point should, and does, have) and a power amp assign functionality (another feature that everyone should and does have). The focus on the amplifier section on the Denon indicates that they are looking to capture users that care about sound. This is probably a good tact as those consumers tend to want to spend more than your casual consumer that is worried about DSPs or wireless speakers.

Onkyo TX-NR3008 (aka Integra DTR-70.2)

I was going to include the Integra DTR-70.2 in this comparison until I realized it was basically the same as the TX-NR3008. The Onkyo is a dollar less than the Denon ($100 more than the Yamaha) which means that, as comparisons go, these three are fairly evenly matched. It is also an older receiver, like the Denon, so may be seeing an update soon. The TX-NR3008 sports 140 watts per channel (same as the Denon), 8/2 HDMI 1.4a inputs/outputs (same as Yamaha), has 3/1 component video (Denon), and 5/1 composite (all). The TX-NR3008 has both Dolby ProLogic IIz and Audyssey DSX (like the Denon) and has the most advanced Audyssey room correction available (MultEQ XT32) also like the Denon allowing the dual independent subwoofer outputs to be calibrated separately.. The Onkyo ties with the Yamaha for the most digital audio inputs at three each optical and coaxial.

Lest you think the Onkyo TX-NR3008 is a "me too" receiver, there are some unique properties. First, it is the only one to have THX certification (Ultra2+ which means it is rated for large rooms), has advanced video upconversion and scaling (HQV Reon VX chipset which offers ISF Certified Calibration control), and it dwarfs the other two in weight (coming in as 55.1 pounds - 15 more than the Yamaha and nearly 17 more than the Denon). It provides three zones of audio and composite video to Zone 2, but Zone 3 cannot be powered by the internal amps, an odd omission (edit - this was wrong on the website, they've corrected it, Zone 3 can be powered as well).

The TX-NR3008 has an impressive number of streaming services built in (Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, vTuner, Sirius Internet Radio, MediaFly, Slacker) and is DLNA 1.5 and Windows 7 Certified. Apple AirPlay is not included. While the other two have built in HD radio tuners, the Onkyo requires you to buy an optional accessory. While the other receivers sport 192kHz/24 Bit DACs, they all specify them on all channels while the TX-NR3008 indicates only six (Burr-Brown). The Onkyo is the only receiver that has 9.2 channel pre-outs instead of 11.2 and that doesn't seem to have a secondary remote for the additional zones.

When you start looking at the features that Onkyo is touting with the TX-NR3008, you see a pretty clear picture of what they think is important to people in this price category. They mention an analogue PC video input which would be important to power users (because only a power user would have an HTPC). The TX-NR3008 specified two separate transformers for audio and video processing and their WRAT technology and discrete amp construction, something that appeals to those that are interested in audio and video purity and quality. Lastly they mention four DSP gaming modes which, while out of place with the other touts, does appeal to those that live with power users and audio/video-philes.

Conclusion

Read the comments after this article and I'm betting you're going to see a lot of reasonable people coming to some very different conclusions. I'm betting you'll read stuff like, "Look at the weight on the Onkyo! That's the one for me." Or "Apple AirPlay? Gotta be the Denon!" Or "Four zones of audio with component video to Zone 2? Sign me up for the Yamaha!"

The Denon is obviously older than the rest and the next offering from Denon in this price category should (stress on the should) leapfrog these offerings. We anticipate, at the very least, an additional zone of audio, better video to Zone 2, and DTS Neo:X support. But that means you could (theoretically) find a deal on the older Denon that still holds its own against these newer receivers. The Onkyo may be a little feature-light when compared to the others (man, that feels weird to say - Onkyo usually has the most features) but their focus is clear - raw power and attention to audio/video performance and calibration. The Yamaha certainly has the most complete feature set of the group with very little not to like about it. Really, this is a six of one, half dozen of the other comparison. Depending on what you value in a receiver, you'll pick one over the other. But honestly, none of these would be a bad choice.