Replacement AVR options

[FennerMachine]

My Denon AVR 3801 is causing a buzz/hum using the pre-outs.

I'm getting it looked at soon to see if its worth fixing.

In the likely event that I need to replace it what are my options?

It is used to drive 3 speakers: a centre speaker & 1 pair of surrounds/rears

Pre-outs to my Quad amps for the front speakers

Audio decoding done by my CA 751BD to external inputs on the Denon

It does not need to do anything else

I have searched for an answer but it seems that the only AVR's with external in & pre-outs are the higher end ones. I don't want to spend that much. I don't mind second hand but you don't know what you are getting and how long it will last - it might end up more cost effective to have mine repaired. I could just keep using the Denon until it fails but that risks damaging something else depending on the fault. Or I could use a cheap AVR and speaker switches. I could just go 2.0 for movies but I think I would miss surround sound. Any solutions that anyone come come up with?

 

[Paul.]

How much would you consider not that much?

 

[FennerMachine]

The AVR's I've seen that would do the job are in the high hundreds of pounds.

I would prefer to keep below £250.00 as I currently don't have the money to spend more.

The Denon cost me £700.00 several years ago and has served me well but movies have been secondary to music for me so don't want to spend that kind of money again. However, since getting my CA 751BD I have started watching a few more films/shows on Blu-ray and DVD so maybe it would be better to save up and invest a bit more?

 

[FennerMachine]

After thinking about it I've decided to get my amp looked at properly and unless its silly money to repair them I'm getting it serviced. The cheapest AV amp that has multi channel inputs and pre-outs that I can find is about £550.00 (Denon AVR2309). Mine can probably be serviced for a lot less and for what I use it for might have better sound quality than a cheaper new one.

 

[JohnKK]

After thinking about it I've decided to get my amp looked at properly and unless its silly money to repair them I'm getting it serviced. The cheapest AV amp that has multi channel inputs and pre-outs that I can find is about £550.00 (Denon AVR2309). Mine can probably be serviced for a lot less and for what I use it for might have better sound quality than a cheaper new one.

You can look at Marantz NR1403, it is much cheaper, has pre-outs and is slim-line leaving more room for your other equipment.

 

[FennerMachine]

Doesn't have multi channel (5.1 or 7.1) input though to use the decoding from my CA 751BD.

A slimmer AV amp sounds interesting though as mine only has a few millimeters clearance at the top! Plenty of room sides a rear though.

 

[JohnKK]

Why dont you leave surround decoding to AVR? I believe 1403 can decode all relevant 5.1 codecs, just plug HDMI from player to AVR...

And for music analogue from player to quad pre amp?

I mean, I am sure you are already aware of this option, but you want better SQ for movies I assume.

 

[JohnKK]

Why dont you leave surround decoding to AVR? I believe 1403 can decode all relevant 5.1 codecs, just plug HDMI from player to AVR...

And for music analogue from player to quad pre amp?

I mean, I am sure you are already aware of this option, but you want better SQ for movies I assume.

 

[FennerMachine]

I was aware of the option to use an AV amp to do the decoding via HDMI but I want to get the most from my 751BD. I think its decoding is supposed to be very good, better than even some higher end AV amps. Cambridge Audio did some AV amps with multi channel inputs and pre-outs that where relatively cheap but can't find any for sale! Only a higher end one.