AVR died. Need advise.

[Tushar]

Hi.

My Denon 988 died. It's was powering itself off when there are loud scenes, randomly sending loud distortion sound and dropping HD audio (foreground sounds mostly) when I play blu rays.

The nearest Denon repair facility is in So Cal (I'm in Nor Cal), needs ~$100 deposit and estimate at least $300 (including shipping) to repair it. Since its degrading with time, I'm worried if they fix it, something else will break in next 1-2 years...

I was looking at X4000 and it's great for my needs, but if I spend >=$600 on a receiver I want Audyssey and for it to carry me over to 4k Blu Ray (Full HDCP2.2). For Denon to have a receiver that supports copy protected 4k content (like 4k Blu Rays) and then have it drop to the right price is probably late 2016 at earliest.

Are there any good options I should look at to tide me over? Any good <$400 receivers w/ discrete amplifier circuits, any benefit in geting a standalone amp like the inexpensive Outlaw and any good options for equalization and HD Audio processing?)

I have 3 Sierra+2 200s+1 Hsu VTF3.3 (and will add 2 more 200's). TV is on long wall of a room 19' deep and 53' wide. We sit or recline about 10-14' from the TV and the receiver probably stays on 7-10 hrs a day.

[Mag_Neato]

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx4000/denon-avr-x4000-7.2-4k-ultra-hd-networking-receiver-w/airplay/1.html

Does this not cover your needs? 4K, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, 125 watts X 7, etc.

[Tushar]

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx4000/denon-avr-x4000-7.2-4k-ultra-hd-networking-receiver-w/airplay/1.html

Does this not cover your needs? 4K, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, 125 watts X 7, etc.

As I said, this is very close, however I read that units that advertise as 4k passthrough compatible are not compatible with 4k blu ray unless fully complaint w/ HDCP 2.2 which includes hardware for copy protection. Few receivers in the <$1000 range are HDCP 2.2 compatible and even these may be only minimally compatible. REason I mentioned Audyssey is that Onkyo sells an HDCP 2.2 receiver but as an Onkyo it lacks Audyssey which for me is a must.

Hence my question about what is good strategy. At the end of the day, I may end up getting the X4000 anyways and assume I can buy a splitter cable but then I have to worry about audio sync a little more.

[Tushar]

Never mind. Can't wait another year. broke down and got x4000. Hopefully 4k blu ray will have dual outs or splitter cable

[Johnny_Mac_III]

Good choice. I just picked one up myself. It's a tough time for a receiver to go down right in the middle of the transition period, but it is what it is. All you can do is make the most of it.

It might still be a while before the full benefits of 4k are in full throttle like HDR and a wider color gamut anyway.

Btw depending on what ONKYO model you were looking at, some are HDCP 2.2 compliant, but the HDMI 2.0 input or inputs are limited bandwidth which in my opinion isnt truly future proof anyway.

Enjoy. You will love XT32.

[Tushar]

Thanks!

XT32 is really quite amazing compared to the version on my old 988. Really worth the money.

[Johnny_Mac_III]

No problem. In 6-8 months the receivers that will be future proof will come out. However, there really won't be any content for them. By the time content does come out, I will pick up one of those models for 35-40% off on Amazon. That's my plan :)