8 Best AV Receivers in 2020

YAMAHA RX-V685 AV RECEIVER

An Excellent Feature-Rich AV Receiver

If you are looking for an AV receiver with tons of features and great audio and video performance, Yamaha RX-V685 is the device for you. However, have in mind that this device isn’t among the most affordable ones, but will surely deliver excellent value and everything you would expect from the best AV receiver.

There is support for various streaming services such as Pandora, Deezer, Napster or Spotify, excellent connectivity that includes Wi-Fi, Ethernet networking, Bluetooth and AirPlay 2, and Amazon Alexa voice control support.

Yamaha RX-V685 works with 60fps 4K videos, it supports HDR, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and DTS: x, and comes with plenty of input/output options (USB port, two HDMI outputs with HDCP 2.2 support, 3.5mm input, two coaxial inputs, component video inputs, three RCA (AUX) outputs, etc.). Furthermore, this device supports various file formats (MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 AAC, FLAC, etc.), it offers YPAO – Reflected Sound Control Optimization and can work in various configurations, such as 7.2 channel surround sound and even wireless 5.1 configuration thanks to the MusicCast Surround capability.

Yamaha RX-V685 offers great three-dimensional sound, with excellent dynamics and overall presents a high-quality option for any music and video enthusiast.

Pros:

Excellent sound quality
Feature-rich

Cons:

Non-intuitive interface

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PIONEER VSX-LX503

Tremendous Power In A Minimalistic Package

If you are looking for the best AV receiver under 1000$ that will deliver premium-quality sound and numerous configuration options, Pioneer VSX-LX503 is the device for you.

With this receiver, you are getting strong bass and exceptionally clear sound that will please any audiophile. Moreover, you are getting a possibility to create a 9.2 channel configuration, or even 11.2 with the help of the external amplifier and enjoy your favorite tunes to the max.

Pioneer VSX-LX503 offers decent connectivity that involves seven HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs (all of them support HDCP 2.2), two composite video inputs, five stereo audio inputs, Ethernet and Bluetooth connection, one component video input, two USB ports, etc.

However, although it may seem as much, the fact is that many other devices such as, for instance, Denon AVR-X3400H, offer much more connectivity and cost less. In other words, a little bit more input/output options are something that would be expected from this type of device.

Nevertheless, if you want sheer quality in any other aspect, Pioneer VSX-LX503 is the device to choose. There is a 60fps 4K playing capability, support for HDR, HLG, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and much more. Also, this receiver supports various streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify and Deezer, it has a built-in Chromecast and offers many advanced features, such as MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System) and FlareConnect.

All in all, if you want to make the best home theatre system in your home, Pioneer VSX-LX503 should definitely be a part of it.

Pros:

Excellent sound quality
A decent set of features
Support for 11 channels
Intuitive interface

Cons:

A limited number of connectivity options

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DENON AVR-X3600H

One Of The Best AV Receivers You Can Find

There are not that many devices that can match Denon AVR-X3600H AV receiver’s performance and features. This device has surpassed its predecessor AVR-X3500H by far and showed that, although AVR-X3500H was an award-winning device and one of the best AV receivers ever built, there is still a large room for improvements.

Denon AVR-X3600H is an amazing device that basically has it all. There is exceptional connectivity that involves eight HDMI outputs and three HDMI inputs (all HDCP 2.3 compatible), three composite and two-component video connections, USB ports, six analog audio inputs, two optical and coaxial digital and much more.

Whatever you need is there: support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, DTS:X and DTS Virtual:X, ability to play 60fps 4K HDR10 videos, support for Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and 9.2 Channel audio. Denon AVR-X3600H also provides Apple AirPlay 2 support, has a built-in Bluetooth and offers good streaming compatibility and allows you to use it for Spotify, Amazon Music or Tidal.

Altogether, Denon AVR-X3600H is a device with almost no flaws, with excellent sound dynamics and plenty of features that only demand for a nice set of home theater speakers in order to provide a one in a lifetime experience.

Pros:

Numerous advanced features
Exceptional power
Great performance
HEOS support

Cons:

None

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ONKYO TX-NR595

A Great Performance And Sound Experience At An Affordable Price

AV receivers don’t have to be insanely expensive in order to be good and provide a great user experience. Sometimes, manufacturers make high-quality stuff at more affordable prices, and Onkyo TX-NR595 is exactly that sort of device. It offers plenty of features, good connectivity, and more importantly, a good quality sound and image.

Onkyo TX-NR595 offers excellent networking and comes equipped with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and LAN connection and has a built-in Chromecast, DTS Play-Fi and AirPlay 2. Moreover, it is fitted with six input and two output HDMI ports (fully HDCP 2.3 compatible), one optical, coaxial and USB port and even a phono input. There is also an internet radio feature, as well as support for streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify, Tidal and Deezer.

Furthermore, this device is capable of playing 60fps 4K HDR10 videos, it offers 4K upscaling feature and comes with support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, DTS:X and variety of file types that involve: FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, WMA, MP3, DSD, AIFF, AAC, LPCM, etc.

All in all, this receiver offers a great collection of features and excellent compatibility in one place. Therefore, if you are looking for the best AV receiver for under $500, Onkyo TX-NR595 should definitely be among your top picks.

Pros:

Good connectivity
Plenty of features
Solid performance

Cons:

It doesn’t support Napster or SiriusXM

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MARANTZ NR1510 UHD AV RECEIVER

An AV Receiver Designed For Small Spaces

If you have a small living room or multimedia room that requires for a solid, but more basic AV receiver with decent connectivity, Marantz NR1510 UHD AV Receiver is the thing for you.

This is a compact, ultra-slim 5.2 channels receiver that offers good sound balance, as well as few handy features such as Audyssey MultEQ sound calibration and voice control and support for Siri, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Josh. Moreover, this receiver allows for 60fps 4K video playing and provides support for Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master Audio and High-Resolution Audio, but lacks the support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Marantz NR1510 is fitted with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 and Ethernet connection and comes with full AirPlay 2 functionality, along with full HEOS support that gives you the opportunity to create the real multi-room AV system.

Because of NR1510 dedication to more budget-oriented users, some of the more advanced functionalities such as the HDMI upscaling had to be eliminated. However, that didn’t affect its number of outputs and inputs that include: six HDMI inputs and one HDMI output (it supports eARC) that are all compliant with HDCP 2.3 standard, one USB port, three analog inputs, three composite inputs and one output, etc.

All in all, Marantz NR1510 AV receiver has a lot to offer, as long as you are willing to accept its limitations such as the lack of certain features, but more importantly, the ability to provide only 50W of power per channel, which is one of the main reasons why its usage should be limited to small spaces.

Pros:

A High-quality audio performance
Compact
Feature-rich

Cons:

It lacks Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
No HDMI upscaling
A bit pricey

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5 Best AV Receivers in 2020

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