Networked AV Receiver List

[pbibm]

Hi

I want a networked AV receiver for my house & HA setup. Thinking about it has officially made my head hurt. The variants are as many as the possibilities and reviews. A list of just internet / controllable receivers creates a pick list to start from.

I want to build that list in this thread with help from you that are interested. I want to just list the HA related features and not traditional receiver specs watts, THD, THX, etc. Those traditional specs have to be hunted through after brands and HA Capabilities are found from here.

Note that this is list to pare down what you want to consider, not to decide to buy from. More research after using this list is needed. I will keep adding what I find and also whatever is provided in posts

Brand    Remote        HS      Control  Internet     Apple        Windows             Own/
Model    Controlled?   Plugin? Zones?    Radio?     Airplay?    DLNA/Playto?  UPNP?  Like it?
[URL="http://usa.denon.com/us/product/pages/product-detail.aspx?Catid=3d9614d1-8000-4106-ab91-8192242cab83&SubId=40b5820d-83c2-4e93-9909-60aae60e0bdd&ProductId=577b2526-7402-4f59-92c5-27bf8efeb48d"]
Denon
AVR-1912[/URL]     Y           ?        Y      R, N, P       Y             Y          Y
[URL="http://usa.denon.com/us/product/pages/Product-Detail.aspx?CatId=f234eea1-3300-4537-8f59-f6cd2f3441d6&ProductId=1bc1c58f-4aef-47b8-b401-02eb4ef6182f"]
Denon
AVR-2112CI[/URL]   Y           ?        Y      R, N, P       Y             Y          Y
[URL="http://usa.denon.com/us/Product/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?PCatId=AVSolutions%28DenonNA%29&CatId=AVReceivers%28DenonNA%29&Pid=AVR4306%28DenonNA%29"]
Denon
AVR-4306[/URL]     Y       DenonAVR     ?      ???           N             ?         Y         Y

[URL="http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-NR1009&class=Receiver&p=i"]Onkyo
TX-NR1009[/URL]    Y    TWA_ONKYOINTEGRA Y    M,P,L,N        N             Y          Y        Y
                                        R,v,S
[URL="http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=HT-RC360&class=Receiver&p=i"]ONKYO
HT-RC360[/URL]     Y           ?        Y     v,P,R,S,i      N             N          Y

[URL="http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-NR709&class=Receiver&p=f"]ONKYO
NR-709[/URL]       Y   TWA_ONKYOINTEGRA 2     v,P,R,S,i,M,N  Y             Y          Y        Y
                                        
[URL="http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-v671_black_u/?from=global_search"]Yamaha
RX-V671[/URL]      Y           ?        2     P,R,S,L,v,N    N             Y          N?  

[URL="http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/aventage/rx-a1000_black__u/"]Yamaha
RX-A1000[/URL]     Y           ?        ?    P,R,S,v,N       N             Y          Y 

[URL="http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/ephox/StaticFiles/PUSA/Files/VSX-1121-K%20Single%20Sheet.pdf"]Pioneer
VSX-1121-K[/URL]   Y    UltraPioneerAVR 2    R,P,S,v,i       Y             N          Y        Y

[URL="http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=AVReceivers&SubCatId=&ProductId=SR5006"]Marantz
SR5006[/URL]       Y           ?        2     R,P,N,?        Y             Y          Y   

[URL="http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=AVReceivers&SubCatId=0&ProductId=NR1602"]Marantz
NR1602[/URL]       Y           ?        2     ???????        Y             Y          Y        Y

Decoder Ring

Remote Controlled? Can at least some functions be driven from network?
HS Plugin? Has someone confirmed that they've used it with a HS Plugin. either ? or name of the plugin
Control Zones? Can Zone selection be driven from the network? Y,N, or # of Zones when provided
Internet Radio: Does it stream radio? R=Rhapsody, N =Napster, P= Pandora M=Mediafly, S = Sirius Internet, L = Last FM, v= vTuner, i=iRadio
UPNP Does it support playing from Universal Plugin N Play compliant Media Servers in your house?
Own it like it? If you have it and can comment, put a yes and add a post about it. Or if you don't, why? Its ok for this field to be blank, meaning we only have published specs for this receiver.

[Pete]

Great ideal Paul.

I still to date have not upgraded my legacy reciever. I rewired for 7.1 surround but haven't purchased one yet. I'm still at 5.1 with no HDMI on the box. In fact the whole setup is still positioned about 2 feet from the wall such that I can wire the new box. My wife keeps bugging me about moving all of the MM back to the wall.

[Dan the LAN man]

Tx-nr1009

I have been a HomeSeer proponent and an Onkyo fan for some time and have deployed their upper-end models in multiple Home Theater projects. For my own installation, I selected the TX-NR1009, based on capabilities vs cost. Tom's TWA_ONKYOINTEGRA Plug-In provides very good HS (LAN & RS-232) remote control of the AVR's normal operating and listening features in general. The PI detects and then creates dedicated "devices" for most front panel controls, plus the following Zone controls (Power, Volume, Max Volume, Input Source, Muting). For the TX-NR1009, you get three sets of Zone-specific controls, one for each zone. The PI makes use of script commands instead of dedicated "device" buttons to give the ability to set the Tuner or Radio Presets to specific stations or channels. There is also a generic script allowing you to send custom commands and view responses to those (but I have not tested these). As of 9/25/2011, the PI does not appear to support low-level configuring or resetting the TX-NR1009's system internals (Setup) such as speaker configurations (i.e. remotely switch from a 9.1 "theater" configuration to a basic 5.1 plus Zone 2 and Zone 3 "whole-house audio" configuration. In summary, I like this AVR with primary disappointment being it cannot play "processed" audio sources via Zones 2 and 3. Zones 2 and 3 are limited to playing raw audio content from 1) analog stereo inputs or 2) net / usb / iRadio streams. This is an AVR design restriction; nothing to do with HS or the PI.

Hope this is useful to someone!
Dan the LAN Man

[Pete]

This is what I put behind the MM setup in preparation for more connectivity.



There are 6 network connections there, legacy RG6 (OTA, Inhouse, Satellite and Cable), speaker, RCA in/out and provisions for RS-232 direct connects.

[pbibm]

Thanks Pete and Dan, this is the kind of info sharing that will help. I made updates to the tables.

When it comes to the receivers, there are high expectations across the board and so many ways it can / could be done. Hearing the first hand accounts of what you like is important.. and what a receiver is and what it isnt.

Wiring prep examples and how to-s are great add on I hadn't thought about and make a great addition as well.

[Ultrajones]

Add the Pioneer 2011 VSX-1121-K to your list.

Brand/Model: Pioneer VSX-1121-K
Remote Controlled: Yes (5 assignable TCP ports plus RS-232)
HS Plug-in: Yes
Controlled Zones: Yes, 2 zones
Internet Radio: R=Rhapsody, P= Pandora, S = Sirius Internet, v= vTuner, A=Apple Airplay
Own It? Yes.

Here is the link to the data sheet:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/ep...le%20Sheet.pdf

[Pete]

Personally this is all new to me as I was into audio in the 60's and 70's. I do like HDMI switching and 7.1 sound. If I could browse to my MM reciever on my network; that would also be nice.

[pbibm]

Add the Pioneer 2011 VSX-1121-K to your list.

Brand/Model: Pioneer VSX-1121-K
Remote Controlled: Yes (5 assignable TCP ports plus RS-232)
HS Plug-in: Yes
Controlled Zones: Yes, 2 zones
Internet Radio: R=Rhapsody, P= Pandora, S = Sirius Internet, v= vTuner, A=Apple Airplay
Own It? Yes.

Here is the link to the data sheet:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/ep...le%20Sheet.pdf

Done, and this email is the template for providing future updates.

Ultra, can you update your post to include a 'pluses and minuses' blurb for this amp? It can be written like Dan's or bullets under Pluses and Minuses headings. Thanks

Paul

[TeleFragger]

i cant give a short answer sorry...

i originally bought a rack system from a friend.. remember we used to have our AV equipment in that dedicated, fake wood box with the glass front.. well i bought it for $200 or $300.. forget now.. but it had a Harman Kardon receiver, fisher dual cassette deck and a pioneer 5 carousel cd changer...

i loved the sound of my Harman Kardon.. so I went out when the time was right to Circuit City.. and there was a $1200 unit that I liked... next to it was a $1200 unit on clearance for $600.. i asked the guy what was the difference and he said... nothing.. that one is last years model and this one is its replacement..
so i bought the clearance unit.. Harman Kardon AVR-65... LOVED IT!!!!
also bought an open box Harman Kardon speaker kit.. 5 x 4" speakers and a sub...
played the movie Matrix over and over again and when Neo was on the heli with the gatlin gun.. I would crank it up.. WOW THE SOUND WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!!
loved it...

that receiver just went out on me.. it works but the surround board went and I do not know how to fix it...
so from advice up here.. I decided to go with a Onkyo TX-NR709 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver.... Im still wired for 5.1....

so the current plugin (beta still??) worked... and did what it was supposed to do ... however I did not buy it as I do not have HS running the way I need it to...

I am not pleased with my receiver... now understanding this.. I purchased this receiver as an open box... cosmetic damage... very small scratch on the front... this receiver retails what $800??? I went this route due to Harman Kardon not having a unit I liked the looks of.. and I do not think any of their models have Rj-45 or serial... if they do I missed that model.. and there is no plugin anyway...

I do like the receiver.. many hdmi ports (to which I do not own one hdmi device).... pc in, bought the ipod dock and many other great features..

I played Matrix the other day and cranked it up.. even the wife who doesnt care about audio said it didnt have that punch my last receiver had....

anywho.. i bought it for $430 shipped... and the ipod dock for $53.. so for less thank $500 im not really complaining....

some for sale for $509 right now.. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...reative=380553

[Raptor]

HI,

there is a onkyo 7.2 reciever here which is nearly the same as the NR609 minus the THX certification for 249usd:
http://www.frys.com/ads/page2

its in store only however

[pbibm]

There are 6 network connections there, legacy RG6 (OTA, Inhouse, Satellite and Cable), speaker, RCA in/out and provisions for RS-232 direct connects.

I'm thinking you don't need to insulate your walls Pete....

[Pete]

Yeah; lets see last big speakers in the 70's I used were Altec Lansing Stonehedge ?; think they had a 15" woofer / horn tweeter; thunderous. Favorite turntables were my Thorens / Technics MarkXX; Audio Technica Needle (?)

Most difficult piece of the 7.1 endeavor were the in the ceiling speaker installation in the family room (MM room).

[pbibm]

I was thinking for the insulation value of all that wire as well

[pbibm]

HI,

there is a onkyo 7.2 reciever here which is nearly the same as the NR609 minus the THX certification for 249usd:
http://www.frys.com/ads/page2

its in store only however

The chart shows its worth here that there are some notable differences.

It also added a new category: The receiver's ability to find, select and play from UPNP Media Servers. I can say from experience that an on screen experience is better than Receiver LEDs when you have lots of media / songs / play lists. Have to think about how to deal with categorizing that on the grid.

[Raptor]

The chart shows its worth here that there are some notable differences.

It also added a new category: The receiver's ability to find, select and play from UPNP Media Servers. I can say from experience that an on screen experience is better than Receiver LEDs when you have lots of media / songs / play lists. Have to think about how to deal with categorizing that on the grid.

it looks like most onkyo recievers above the NR309 are networked:
http://www.us.onkyo.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Receiver

so: NR509,NR609,NR709,NR809,NR1009,NR3009,NR5009 and the 2 RC class ones RC-370 , RC-360.

seem to be network enabled.

Could you add Spotify to your internet radio list?