Advice - shootout Anthem MRX-1140 4K, NAD T 778, Onkyo RZ70

[Raffinator]

Hi,

 

I'm seeing a lot of offers for AVRs especially in the ex-demo space. Owning a 4K TV only, can anyone give me some thoughts on these?

 

The Onkyo is more a new price. Could also go cheaper to the TX-RZ50

 

Factors:

• Roon user so would prefer Roon Ready
• Current setup 5.1. Could bi-amp the L/R as they are floorstanders (if I can bother)
• Keen on room correction
• Preference more to music/sound than vision

 

And I know the best advice is to go listen, but in many cases a dealer wouldn't have all three brands.

[GaryT]

Either the Onkyo or an equivalent Marantz (for the Dirac option) would be my go there.
they are HDMI 2.1 for full futureproof connectivity, and have strong, clean amplification adn the extra channels for future expansion is a nice to have.

 

The NAD looks nice but is based on old tech and the amps aren't as grunty as the competition.

The Anthem has great amps and good room correction but software is clunky.

[betty boop]

2 hours ago, John Raffin said:

Preference more to music/sound than vision

definitely consider marantz they have a clear "music matters" approach and can be quite decent in this regard.

 

marantz wil also get you into dirac...

 

as head up the model range the sound quality improves....better dacs, analog stages, pre stages, processing and power supplies...

[GaryT]

Marantz Cinema 40 is a brilliant unit for roughly the same dollars as the RX70

 

 

[Guest]

Have owned Anthem and NAD AVRs, but sound wise, easily beaten by Arcam.  There is an order model AVR20 with HDMI 2.O, and full warranty

https://www.customht.com.au/products/arcam-avr20-av-receiver-9-1-6ch-processing-with-dirac-live-class-ab?_pos=1&_psq=arcam-avr20&_ss=e&_v=1.0

 

But I have this AVR30, way off your budget, but by far the best I have owned.

https://www.customht.com.au/products/arcam-avr30-av-receiver-9-1-6ch-processing-with-dirac-live-class-g

 

Marantz is another good option for music.  Have not heard the latest Onkyo AVRs, but suspect they are more movie orientated?

 

Note that if you go Dirac, there are additional licensing costs (in USD) especially for Marantz.

https://www.dirac.com/online-store/

 

 

[GaryT]

That last gen Arcam would be a good way to go if you don't need HDMI 2.1 throughput.

 

It actually looks IDENTICAL to the ~$15,000 JBL Synthesis SDR35 at the back, minus the Dante inputs and slightly less powerful amps and different simpler software on the Arcam.

And with that I just learned that Arcam is also part of the ever growing Harman/Samsung group.

 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, GaryT said:

It actually looks IDENTICAL to the ~$15,000 JBL Synthesis SDR35 at the back, minus the Dante inputs and slightly less powerful amps and different simpler software on the Arcam.

They were designed jointly for both companies, with Dante added by JBL, and Class G amps in Arcam AVR30 / 31.