Suggestion for a 4k AV Receiver

Dec 22nd, 2020 11:28 am

#1

jclee4843 [OP]: Jr. Member; Mar 7, 2011; 137 posts; 127 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 22nd, 2020 11:28 am

Hi, I got a gaming PC with RTX 3080 and a TCL 4 series 4k TV. I am looking for a 4k AV receiver to replace my old Onkyo HT-S3500 receiver, which supports only 1080p (https://www.amazon.ca/Onkyo-HT-S3500-5- ... B0077V88V8). I plan to reuse the same speakers from Onkyo HT-S3500 system. Only features I am looking for is that the receiver supports 4k video and I can hook up my Onkyo speakers.

I found this Sony STRDH590 5.2 (https://www.costco.ca/sony-strdh590-5.2 ... 09673.html) for $300. Would this be a good replacement?
Is there any benefit for me to get the STRDH790 7.2 receiver? https://www.costco.ca/sony-strdh790-7.2 ... 09747.html
Any other suggestions are welcome. My budget is $500.

Thanks.

Dec 22nd, 2020 11:38 am

#2

chadw01: Deal Fanatic; Mar 28, 2006; 5723 posts; 5489 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 22nd, 2020 11:38 am

There is a known hardware issue with the Panasonic chipset on all new 4k/8k receivers where they cannot handle uncompressed streams so the video goes black at 4k 120hz over HDMI 2.1:

https://www.techpowerup.com/273852/bug- ... nvidia-gpu

https://hexus.net/ce/news/audio-visual/ ... pere-gpus/

If you don't mind this, that 790 looks like a decent deal.

+1

Dec 22nd, 2020 11:57 am

#3

jclee4843 [OP]: Jr. Member; Mar 7, 2011; 137 posts; 127 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 22nd, 2020 11:57 am

chadw01 wrote: ↑ There is a known hardware issue with the Panasonic chipset on all new 4k/8k receivers where they cannot handle uncompressed streams so the video goes black at 4k 120hz over HDMI 2.1:

https://www.techpowerup.com/273852/bug- ... nvidia-gpu

https://hexus.net/ce/news/audio-visual/ ... pere-gpus/

If you don't mind this, that 790 looks like a decent deal.

Wow, thanks for this info. I should be fine with 60Hz, but I need to do some research before I make the purchase decision.

Dec 22nd, 2020 3:27 pm

#4

jdmfishingonly: Deal Fanatic; Oct 13, 2008; 7569 posts; 4006 upvotes; Durham

Dec 22nd, 2020 3:27 pm

jclee4843 wrote: ↑ Wow, thanks for this info. I should be fine with 60Hz, but I need to do some research before I make the purchase decision.

Have you thought about Denon Receivers?

Bestbuy has a good selection of Denon Receivers.

16'x11' Living Room 11' Cathedral Ceiling. Hisense 65Q8G. Denon AVR-S740H 7.2 setup. Jamo Classic 10 280W Towers - FR+FL; Polk S35 - Center; Klipsch R51M - RR+RL; Klipsch R14M - Dolby FHR+FHL; Polk HTS10 Subwoofer x2. Unlocked Android Boxes from Taiwan x2

+1

Dec 22nd, 2020 5:57 pm

#5

thriftshopper: Deal Guru; Jul 7, 2017; 10015 posts; 5360 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

Dec 22nd, 2020 5:57 pm

Unless you're limited in what volume you can use the sound at, I'd consider either getting a new AVR and speaker set (get bits 'n pieces, used if you have to). The speakers are going to be the limiting factor with a new (and presumably better) AVR.

If you are volume limited, why not run HDMI straight to the TV and use optical cable to the AVR?

I smile when I see container ships sailing past my house laden with stuff made in China

+1

Dec 22nd, 2020 6:43 pm

#6

1madman1: Sr. Member; Feb 23, 2004; 908 posts; 164 upvotes; Richmond

Dec 22nd, 2020 6:43 pm

I've always been happy with my Sony receivers for AV switching. Have had 4 generations now. My earliest HDMI capable unit had a compatibility issue when HDMI 1.2 came out, but they fixed it with a firmware update. Not really relevant anymore, but when one of them died after 2 years, the apologetic Sony Store volunteered to replace it with a higher tier model that cost $700 more (5000ES > 7100ES).

Others I've owned:
Pioneer - audio amp failed after a year, meh sound, overpriced
H/K - ran hot, power relay failed and impossible to access for replacement, spartan features but sounded great though
Onkyo - AV switching failed after a year - good sound but otherwise unimpressive
JVC - US import only brand, ran *very* hot, way ahead of it's time features, good sound, tacky bright blue LEDs everywhere and cheap plastic build. Excellent value, resold locally for more than I paid retail even after import brokerage

+1

Dec 22nd, 2020 9:04 pm

#7

jclee4843 [OP]: Jr. Member; Mar 7, 2011; 137 posts; 127 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 22nd, 2020 9:04 pm

jdmfishingonly wrote: ↑ Have you thought about Denon Receivers?

Bestbuy has a good selection of Denon Receivers.

Yes, I saw those, but I can't tell whether they are better than the Sony one or not.

Dec 22nd, 2020 9:13 pm

#8

jclee4843 [OP]: Jr. Member; Mar 7, 2011; 137 posts; 127 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 22nd, 2020 9:13 pm

thriftshopper wrote: ↑ Unless you're limited in what volume you can use the sound at, I'd consider either getting a new AVR and speaker set (get bits 'n pieces, used if you have to). The speakers are going to be the limiting factor with a new (and presumably better) AVR.

If you are volume limited, why not run HDMI straight to the TV and use optical cable to the AVR?

I am not limited by sound volume, but I got a toddler, so I try not to blast the sound too loud. My main concern is to get 4K resolution from my PC to TV. While I am looking in to the issue of "video goes black at 4k 120hz over HDMI 2.1", I read a workaround that connect the PC to TV and then connects TV's ARC to the AVR. I didn't know this was an option. I just checked that both my TV and AVR support ARC, so I am going to try this solution.

Dec 22nd, 2020 9:22 pm

#9

jclee4843 [OP]: Jr. Member; Mar 7, 2011; 137 posts; 127 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 22nd, 2020 9:22 pm

1madman1 wrote: ↑ I've always been happy with my Sony receivers for AV switching. Have had 4 generations now. My earliest HDMI capable unit had a compatibility issue when HDMI 1.2 came out, but they fixed it with a firmware update. Not really relevant anymore, but when one of them died after 2 years, the apologetic Sony Store volunteered to replace it with a higher tier model that cost $700 more (5000ES > 7100ES).

Others I've owned:
Pioneer - audio amp failed after a year, meh sound, overpriced
H/K - ran hot, power relay failed and impossible to access for replacement, spartan features but sounded great though
Onkyo - AV switching failed after a year - good sound but otherwise unimpressive
JVC - US import only brand, ran *very* hot, way ahead of it's time features, good sound, tacky bright blue LEDs everywhere and cheap plastic build. Excellent value, resold locally for more than I paid retail even after import brokerage

Thanks for sharing your experience. I got an Onkyo because I read it was a good entry AVR that comes with surround sound speakers, but there aren't too many of them now (at least I can't find much). Good to know that Sony's AVR is good

Dec 22nd, 2020 10:43 pm

#10

thriftshopper: Deal Guru; Jul 7, 2017; 10015 posts; 5360 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

Dec 22nd, 2020 10:43 pm

jclee4843 wrote: ↑ I am not limited by sound volume, but I got a toddler, so I try not to blast the sound too loud. My main concern is to get 4K resolution from my PC to TV. While I am looking in to the issue of "video goes black at 4k 120hz over HDMI 2.1", I read a workaround that connect the PC to TV and then connects TV's ARC to the AVR. I didn't know this was an option. I just checked that both my TV and AVR support ARC, so I am going to try this solution.

I am not sure if this will feed sound from TV to AVR only for the input port on the TV so PC=>TV=>AVR may not work. Only time I've used this is for stuff running on the TV or AirPlay. It works, keep using that (free) or if not, optical cable (cheap). Optical is limited to 51 but that's all you have (and really, works just fine).

I have a Denon S750H and it sound better than the Sony 770 (or 780) that it replaced.

I smile when I see container ships sailing past my house laden with stuff made in China

+1

Dec 23rd, 2020 12:56 am

#11

Gangsta101: Deal Addict; Nov 30, 2016; 1594 posts; 2223 upvotes; Waterloo Region

Dec 23rd, 2020 12:56 am

chadw01 wrote: ↑ There is a known hardware issue with the Panasonic chipset on all new 4k/8k receivers where they cannot handle uncompressed streams so the video goes black at 4k 120hz over HDMI 2.1:

...
If you don't mind this, that 790 looks like a decent deal.

This is a weird comment. OP specifically linked to 2 Sony receivers which are on sale, and you have created the impression that these are HDMI 2.1 devices based on your comment.
This is not the case as far as I can tell. These devices were released in 2018 before the new standard was publicly available. Sony doesn't list then as 2.1 devices, and their specs clearly state "4K60hz".

So OP be clear about what you are getting.

+1

Dec 23rd, 2020 1:54 am

#12

Devhux: Deal Addict; Jan 13, 2014; 2928 posts; 1961 upvotes; Calgary

Dec 23rd, 2020 1:54 am

Not to mention their TCL Series 4 is definitely not a 120Hz display.

+1

Dec 23rd, 2020 1:46 pm

#13

CameraBill: Deal Addict; Sep 3, 2005; 1682 posts; 296 upvotes

Dec 23rd, 2020 1:46 pm

jclee4843 wrote: ↑ I am not limited by sound volume, but I got a toddler, so I try not to blast the sound too loud. My main concern is to get 4K resolution from my PC to TV. While I am looking in to the issue of "video goes black at 4k 120hz over HDMI 2.1", I read a workaround that connect the PC to TV and then connects TV's ARC to the AVR. I didn't know this was an option. I just checked that both my TV and AVR support ARC, so I am going to try this solution.

I have an HD reciever and when I do this with my 4k components I get serious audio sync issues. The receiver can't compensate it. It either pushes the audio too forward to too far behind.

+1

Dec 26th, 2020 6:10 pm

#14

jclee4843 [OP]: Jr. Member; Mar 7, 2011; 137 posts; 127 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 26th, 2020 6:10 pm

Thanks everyone for your input. I managed to setup audio passthrough from my PC->TV->AVR and video from PC->TV directly. So far have no issues.

Dec 26th, 2020 8:17 pm

#15

Sarevok1: Newbie; Jul 4, 2012; 54 posts; 23 upvotes; OTTAWA

Dec 26th, 2020 8:17 pm

jclee4843 wrote: ↑ Thanks everyone for your input. I managed to setup audio passthrough from my PC->TV->AVR and video from PC->TV directly. So far have no issues.

I don't know why this isn't the default way of connecting an AVR to a TV these days, using ARC/EARC. The other benefit is the streaming apps built into the tv can output audio to the receiver.

+1

Dec 26th, 2020 8:29 pm

#16

jdmfishingonly: Deal Fanatic; Oct 13, 2008; 7569 posts; 4006 upvotes; Durham

Dec 26th, 2020 8:29 pm

jclee4843 wrote: ↑ Thanks everyone for your input. I managed to setup audio passthrough from my PC->TV->AVR and video from PC->TV directly. So far have no issues.

I had a PC in the living room previously strictly for streaming and watching movies (this was before i got my android boxes).

Connection was:

1) HDMI from PC Video Card to Denon Receiver
2) HDMI from Denon Receiver to TV - (ARC)

HDMI does both Audio and Video ... no need for additional connections.

16'x11' Living Room 11' Cathedral Ceiling. Hisense 65Q8G. Denon AVR-S740H 7.2 setup. Jamo Classic 10 280W Towers - FR+FL; Polk S35 - Center; Klipsch R51M - RR+RL; Klipsch R14M - Dolby FHR+FHL; Polk HTS10 Subwoofer x2. Unlocked Android Boxes from Taiwan x2

+1

Dec 31st, 2020 10:10 am

#17

tpatca: Newbie; Sep 20, 2010; 21 posts; 9 upvotes

Dec 31st, 2020 10:10 am

If your PC has an integrated graphics card you can also run one HDMI cable to from the RTX --> TV and then run another one from the integrated card to the receiver (ghost display). You can't get Atmos this way but if you're good with 5.1 sound it will work HD audio like DTS-MA/True HD assuming your receiver supports it. I do this with my Denon receiver which shows up as a second display in Windows I can't actually see, then use my Nvidia card for the display on my TV.

You can also use ARC if the receiver supports it but I believe ARC doesn't have enough bandwidth for HD audio. From what I've read the HDMI 2.1 is a mess with the current set of receivers (I was looking to upgrade as well) so if you can deal with the ghost display and have an integrated graphics card that could be an option.

+1

Dec 31st, 2020 10:49 am

#18

zod: Deal Guru; Mar 12, 2005; 11501 posts; 3284 upvotes; Victoria

Dec 31st, 2020 10:49 am

I want to buy a new TV and Reciever for my living room, but I'm holding off (hopefully only a year) for 4k 120fps technology to improve a bit.

Dec 31st, 2020 11:24 am

#19

djemzine: Deal Expert; Jun 15, 2011; 46358 posts; 8860 upvotes

Dec 31st, 2020 11:24 am

What's your budget? I'd recommend the Denon AVR-X3600H

Have this and can't complain.

Blanka

Dec 31st, 2020 2:56 pm

#20

Devhux: Deal Addict; Jan 13, 2014; 2928 posts; 1961 upvotes; Calgary

Dec 31st, 2020 2:56 pm

djemzine wrote: ↑ What's your budget? I'd recommend the Denon AVR-X3600H

Have this and can't complain.

Last sentence of OP's post.

Seriously, why are people suggesting stuff way outside OP's needs? If they start looking at certain receivers why suggest ones that are more than up to 5x the price?