Need some help finding a new AVR

AsSiMiLaTeD
AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
in Electronics
I have a Pioneer SC-25 and I've been really happy with it. It still works great so I'll likely sell it to help fund a new one.

The main thing that I need which my current AVR doesn't have is a really good 'late night' mode. I have a 4.0 setup, the two Maggies in front and two surround speakers (no center because the Maggies already throw a great image across the front sound stage, and no sub). Since I have no center I can't just to the 'turn the center channel volume up' trick.

I want a setting that compresses the dynamic range, where quiet stuff like dialog and loud explosions are at or near the same sound level. I know there's a hit to SQ but this won't get used all the time, do need it for late night movies though.

Are there certain brands or technologies out there that will give me what I want? I have not researched receivers in years and have not been keeping up with the technology, need help from you guys on this.
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Comments

  • Msabot1
    Msabot1 Posts: 2,098
    My Onkyo AVR has that dynamic range suppression feature on it....for late night listening...I have read that not a lot of folks on here are very crazy about Onkyo Recievers ...but I got this one for a steal and it has worked with no problems...I do not push certain brands of equipment on here...so do some research...all the major brands have that feature that you are interested in...
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  • jeremymarcinko
    jeremymarcinko Posts: 3,785
    I have recently used AVR's from Onkyo (705 and 717), and Yamaha (rx-a1010). From my own experience Audyssey Eq'd AVR's (Onkyo) with "dynamic volume" offered the best late night compression. However, Onkyo no longer uses Audyssey, but I believe Denon and Marantz still do. I am currently using a Yamaha that has ADC or "Adaptive Dynamic Range Control", and it also works really well, but it lacks the quick high, medium, low adjustment offered by Audyssey. Regarding sound quality the Yamaha Aventage easily beat out my mid level Onkyos, but the Onk's menu was easier to navigate and has much nicer post processing options.
    Oh, Listen here mister. We got no way of understandin' this world. But we got as much sense of this bird flyin in the sky. Now there is a lot that bird don't know, but it don't change the fact that the world is happening to him all the same. What I am tryin to say is, is that the course of your life, well its changing, and you don't even see it- Forest Bondurant
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,124
    edited October 2014
    http://www.onkyousa.com/Products/model.php?m=TX-NR838&class=Receiver

    This is the one I recently got love it the Acu eq works just fine in my opinion I own a Denon and sold my Yamaha this 838 is a bargain at its asking price.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
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  • Msabot1
    Msabot1 Posts: 2,098
    My unit is an Onker TX NR 1010....It has that Audyssey EQ...works just fine..this unit has way more features than I'll ever use...but it is built like a tank...good for future expansion if I ever want to go that route....so far,good reliable reciever for HT..
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    I thought the SC-25 had a late night mode or dynamic range suppression as well. I'm almost sure my SC07 has it.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    It has both a midnight mode and DRC but neither work very well at all...
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