Receiver & Amplifier Reviews

Listening to the percussion-heavy “Piano Smasher,” from Blue Man Group’s DVD The Complex, made me us as though we were about to personally reenact the chest-burst scene from Alien.

11 expert reviews | 46 user reviews

Plus: All of the latest home cinema tech and Blu-ray/ DVD reviews, and a whole lot more!

8 expert reviews | 4 user reviews

Delivering excitement, detail and precision, the Yamaha RX-A1020 is a brilliantly capable all-rounder

8 expert reviews | 11 user reviews

If you’re in the market for a performance-oriented receiver at around $1,200, the Marantz SR6007 should be at the top of your list.

7 expert reviews | 9 user reviews

On paper, the Sony STR-DN1030 looks like quite an impressive receiver, with a feature list poised to make other $500 receivers blush. Among those features are built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplay, HDMI upconversion and a new user interface. In my opinion,...

8 expert reviews | 74 user reviews

A secondary definition of chimera is a thing that is wished or hoped for but, in fact, is illusory or impossible to have or achieve. Sony took a big gamble bringing out the STR-DA5800ES. It would have been a chimera either way—an amazing piece of gear...

3 expert reviews | 1 user reviews

As A/V enthusiasts, we are constantly on the lookout for the best audio and video we can find, and when we reach that state of nirvana, we enjoy our equipment until the next CES or CEDIA when we then hear about something new and begin to worry that our...

4 expert reviews

Pioneer SC-LX56: Control apps The ‘LX56 is also backed up by two fabulous control apps. The AV navigator software works with iOS devices or your home PC and helps to ensure all your sources and speakers are connected correctly.

7 expert reviews | 1 user reviews

The Onkyo TX-NR616 is a tremendous AV receiver value, with eight HDMI inputs and a very low street price, although Onkyo's step-down models may be an even better buy.

11 expert reviews | 151 user reviews

NAD C390DD: Sound quality But how does it sound? Well, for a smidge over £2000, pretty good. It’s precise and detailed, offering good scale and plenty of sonic authority. By the highest standards, though, it’s not as expressive or rhythmically adept as...

11 expert reviews

Yamaha’s Aventage range looks and sounds better than ever. We hope the other models in this range follow suit.

5 expert reviews

You can’t argue with the spec-sheet, nor the ability to fill a room with powerful sound, but when it comes to complete control of fine details, the Onkyo gives a little way to some tough competitors.

5 expert reviews | 4 user reviews

The Yamaha RX-V573 is a serviceable 7.1 AV receiver, but with only four HDMI inputs, competing models offer a better value.

6 expert reviews | 30 user reviews

The SC-LX76 is supplied with a wireless LAN adapter, which plugs into the Ethernet port and draws its power from the dedicated SUB charge port on the back. There are 11-channel plastic speaker binding posts and a cluster of custom install sockets,...

5 expert reviews

The Roku LT is a killer streaming-media box, offering tons of streaming content -- including favorites like Netflix, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, and Pandora -- for just $50.

4 expert reviews | 18 user reviews

Aside from being one of the most respected manufacturers of reference-grade hifi components, Marantz is also a big player in the home theater market. They make products at fair price points, for just about every application, with cutting edge features....

9 expert reviews | 4 user reviews

Yamaha RX-V673: Tech features Features and specification are well up to expectations at this price. AirPlay, absent on last year’s models, is now included, while there are six HDMI inputs, including one on the front panel. Pass-through of 4K content is...

6 expert reviews | 47 user reviews

Onkyo is the quintessential feature-conscious audio/video receiver maker. The company is the champion of the mid-priced receiver, providing things like THX certification, Audyssey room correction, and other goodies at a poor man's price point. The...

8 expert reviews | 2 user reviews

There is something right about using a BD player and AVR that have been designed together as an holistic partnership. One can expect not only matching cosmetics but a synergistic duo, like Bonnie and Clyde or Sooty and Sweep. And not only should their...

14 expert reviews | 17 user reviews

Preview: A mid-range 7.1 home cinema receiver with AirPlay and Audyssey MultiEQ.

11 expert reviews | 29 user reviews

In isolation, the Pioneer VSX-922-K is a capable and feature-rich amp. However, the benchmark set by rival machines such as the Sony STR-DN1030 and Yamaha RX-V673 is ridiculously high. And on this occasion, it’s a stretch too far for Pioneer.

10 expert reviews | 35 user reviews

When it comes to AV receivers, Onkyo campaigns to be the people's champion. Every year its entry-level models come packed to the hilt with features, sporting a competitive price tag and, more often than not, a nailed-on sound quality, too. This...

8 expert reviews | 107 user reviews

Two HD tuners, great smart features and DLNA streaming make this a high-quality PVR

6 expert reviews | 19 user reviews

Get ready - Onkyo is back in 'serious' hi-fi after a 20-year gap

5 expert reviews

Class D has been steadily infiltrating Pioneer's upper-crust Elite line since 2008 and now accounts for five of the line's seven models. With the SC-61, reviewed here, the latest version of the technology—which Pioneer calls D3—has come down in price...

2 expert reviews | 8 user reviews