Audio Video News

AV Receivers

Denon AVR-X3800H AV Receiver: $1,700

Decades after the “marriage of audio and video” finally materialized in the form of VCRs with stereo sound and receivers with built-in surround-sound decoding, the AudioVideo (AV) receiver continues to impress with its seemingly limitless ability to cram ever more technology into a single component that also houses enough wattage to drive a gaggle of speakers. Denon’s AVR-X3800H is an impressive modern-day specimen that combines nine channels of power with all of the features you’ll need to assemble a kick-ass home theater at a price that is unexpectedly reasonable. The list includes three flavors of immersive surround-sound processing — Dolby Atmos, DTS:X (with an IMAX Enhanced mode), and Auro-3D — multiroom wireless streaming via Denon’s Heos system, HDMI 2.1 on all inputs and outputs, 8K video capability with upscaling, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR) processing, top-level Audyssey room-acoustics processing, and plenty more.

But for serious system builders, what really stands out is the inclusion of four independent subwoofer outputs to support setups that have two or more subwoofers and the ability to direct some (or all) of the receiver’s nine amplifier channels to preamplifier outputs to accommodate more advanced AV setups with different power requirements.

Reviewer Dan Kumin used the X3800H to drive a 5.1.4-channel Atmos speaker system that he was able to calibrate to a T using the onboard Audyssey system. From there, he auditioned a series of stereo music and multichannel music and movie selections to gauge overall performance, which, in a word, was superb. With music, the Dolby Atmos mix of a Stravinsky violin concerto stood out for its natural tone, hall-sound, and spatial localization. Shifting over to movies, the Atmos soundtrack of 2013’s Gravity came through with its brilliant use of spatial location to elevate the drama of being stranded in space. All in all, the Denon AVR-X3800H AV receiver shines for its ability to deliver flagship performance without the flagship price.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Audyssey XT32 room correction (with extra-cost Dirac Live option)
9 channels for powering a full Atmos/DTS:X layout
4 subwoofer outputs to integrate and EQ multiple subs
Handy global-preset feature
Minus
HEOS app required for streaming music services
Non-backlit remote

Full Review Here (posted 6/16/23)

Marantz Cinema 50 AV Receiver: $2,500

The Marantz Cinema 50 just might be the most elegant AVR on the planet and, in this case, beauty is more than skin deep. Way more. Behind that stylish faceplate is a bustling control center with nine 100-watt channels of class AB power — enough to drive a 5.1.4 setup with no need for additional amplifiers — processing for up to 11.4 channels, Audyssey’s remarkably effective MultEQ XT32 acoustic room correction with the option to add Dirac Live, and four (!) independent subwoofer outputs to satisfy those who crave (and are willing to put in the time and money to achieve) perfect bass. Immersive surround processing extends beyond the usual Dolby Atmos to include DTS:X, Auro 3D, and IMAX Enhanced and you can enjoy whole-house wireless streaming using the excellent Heos platform introduced by Denon some years ago and take advantage of voice control through Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Siri.

The receiver is compatible with the major forms of high dynamic range (HDR) processing, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+, supports gamer-friendly tech such as ALLM and VRR, and is equipped with a generous selection of connections, including six HDMI inputs, all with 8K video support and upscaling. In a useful touch sure to be appreciated by serious listeners, the remote control has four Smart Select buttons for recalling specific preset combinations of various settings — including master volume, surround mode, EQ, individual channel-level trims, and more — so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you switch between music and movies.

Drawing on the company’s heritage as a 1950’s pioneer in two-channel hi-fi, the Cinema 50 is every bit as good at reproducing stereo music as it is at reproducing multichannel music and movie soundtracks. Reviewer Daniel Kumin’s listening tests spanned a smattering of selections in both categories, delivering the goods without a hint of strain at “mid-hall concert levels.” In particular, the Marantz easily conveyed the expansive sound design of the German remake of the anti-war epic All Quiet on the Western Front, capturing the terrifying in-your-face sound of war.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Audyssey room correction (with Dirac option)
Nine powered channels
Ability to precisely integrate up to four subs
Compatible with the Marantz/Denon Heos platform
Two-way Bluetooth
Minus
Native streaming mostly requires Heos app
No affirmation of surround mode when streaming from TV

Full Review Here (posted 1/17/23)

Streaming Devices

Amazon Fire TV Cube 3 Streamer: $139

The stylish third generation of Amazon’s Fire TV Cube brings new features and performance upgrades into the fold, making it an excellent streamer if your TV lacks onboard streaming apps and a no-brainer upgrade to the previous generation Cube. It’s essentially an Echo smart speaker and Fire TV Cube in one through which you can stream your favorite shows, summon Alexa, and control smart-home devices such as lights and security cameras. And here’s the kicker: It costs $139.

Topping the list of new features is a more powerful processor that makes possible improved picture quality, smoother streaming of high resolution content, and faster, more reliable scrolling and response to commands (via voice or the remote). Other updates include a remote finder, the addition of channel buttons to the remote control, an HDMI connector with pass-through for easy integration with set-top boxes, a USB-A port for connecting a hard drive or web cam, and a 100 Mbps Ethernet port. “Super Resolution” 4K upscaling has also been improved with new filtering techniques that aim to keep images sharp by removing “jaggies” and other picture artifacts.

In addition to upgrading performance, Amazon has redesigned the home screen to highlight recommended titles and new releases, though users are free to personalize the screen to facilitate quick access to favorite apps instead of having to scroll through sponsored apps. To further ease content searches, the remote control has dedicated buttons for the most popular destinations: Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Impressive 4K upscaling
Hands-free control
Fast navigation and content loading
Can expand content options with USB or hard drive
Minus
Sponsored apps, ads monopolize home screen and search
Set-top box integration didn’t work with DISH Hopper

Full Review Here (posted 1/22/23)

Juke Multiroom Streaming Amplifier: $1,349 (Juke-6), $1,499 (Juke-8)

Juke Audio’s streaming amplifier is a different kind of streamer — one that provides a simple and affordable way to retrofit an existing hard-wired multiroom speaker system, or power a new one. In addition to supporting AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, the Juke communicates directly with a wide array of supported apps and is available in a six- or eight-zone configuration, offering 12 or 16 channels, respectively. The system is easy to use and, though its Class D amplifiers are only rated for 20 watts per channel, they are stable down to 2 ohms and deliver high-quality sound. Remarkably, one eight-channel Juke can accommodate up to 48 speakers, and up to 10 Jukes can work together in a system that supports 480 speakers!

To put the Juke through its paces, Mark Henninger used the amp to power a pair of Arendal 1961 tower speakers in a straight stereo setup. “The Juke will happily drive a pair of tower speakers — full-range — and as long as you don't push it into clipping, it sounds great.” Raising the stakes, he then connected eight Arendal 1961 tower speakers to a single Juke and let ’er rip. Satisfied with what he heard, he upped the ante yet again and wired up eight stereo pairs for a total of 16 speakers. When he cranked up the volume with all speakers playing the same source, the result was “reasonably loud and undeniably clear” sound. Ideal for homes with hard-wired distributed-audio systems, Juke's streaming amplifier offers an affordable, efficient way to bring multiroom audio streaming into the fold.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Plug-and-play upgrade
Simple and reliable
Low cost per zone
Expandable
Minus
Only 20 watts RMS per channel
No EQ

Full Review Here (posted 4/3/23)

Amplifiers/Streaming Amps

OSD Audio Nero XA7180 7-Channel Amplifier: $850

At $850, OSD Audio’s Nero XA7180 home theater amplifier is one of the most cost-effective solid-state amplifiers Sound & Vision has tested in recent years. The Class AB amp boasts a Class-H design, indicating the use of dual voltage rails to increase efficiency, and is rated to deliver 7 x 122 watts into 8 ohms (all channels driven). More to the point, the amp boasts something you don’t find at this price level: balanced XLR inputs in addition to the standard RCA connections. Going yet a step further, everything — including a beefy toroidal power supply — is housed in a sturdy cabinet featuring a thick top plate secured with countersunk screws and a handsome brushed-aluminum faceplate. Add to that the ability to produce clean power that meets spec and it’s easy to see why the amplifier earned our Top Value designation.

To put the XA7180 through its paces, reviewer Mark Henninger started with stereo listening, running a pair of tower speakers full range: “The amp is not the weak link. Used as a two-channel audiophile amp with high-fidelity speakers, the sound reflects the speakers’ capabilities, not the amp’s limitations.” Moving to full-bore surround sound, performance remained every bit as impressive with the amp driving seven of the nine speakers in a home theater setup fed by a flagship Denon AVR acting largely as a preamp/processor. On Avatar: The Way of Water, the “sound was so energetic that my neighbor complained about their walls shaking. This had never happened before. I definitely noticed the physicality of the sound — this amp moves sizeable quantities of air.” The moral of the story: OSD’s Nero XA7180 is proof that you don’t have to break the bank to get loads of clean power.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Inexpensive
Fanless design
RCA and balanced XLR inputs
Auto standby
12-volt power trigger
Minus
Needs 6-inch clearance when rack mounted

Full Review Here (posted 5/24/23)

NAD C 3050 LE Integrated Streaming Amplifier: $1,972

Beneath a refreshingly simple faceplate that evokes vintage NAD, complete with old-timey VU meters and prominent bass and treble controls, is a thoroughly modern integrated amp of considerable technological depth. App-based hi-res (wired or wireless) streaming comes courtesy of Lenbrook’s proven BluOS platform but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The C 3050 LE also supports streaming via aptX HD Bluetooth and is equipped with a 32-bit/384-kHz-capable digital-to-analog converter (DAC), low-frequency Dirac Live room correction for matching main speakers and subwoofers, a nice complement of digital and analog inputs — including an eARC-enabled HDMI jack and a phono input — and a cutting-edge Hypex UcD Class D power section rated to deliver an honest 100 watts into 8 ohms with undetectable noise and distortion.

Getting to the heart of the matter, veteran audio reviewer Dan Kumin didn’t mince words, describing the NAD’s performance as superb in every regard. “The presentation was punchy, dynamic, and transparent, yet unfailingly warm and girthy low down, with ample grunt to play any musical genre at any level I would ask in real life.” Listening to a performance of Ernest Bloch’s “Suite for Viola and Orchestra” streamed over Qobuz), Kumin was “mesmerized by violist Timothy Ridout’s resonant, woody tonalities and by Bloch’s characteristically colorful writing and orchestration, skillfully painted by the NAD against deep black silences.” The C 3050 LE is a fitting tribute to NAD’s half-century-strong legacy of making fine audio gear.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Superb sonic quality
Savory bass, audiophile-grade imaging
Dirac Live room correction
Streaming via the app-based BluOS platform
Retro-licious front-panel meters
Minus
Full-bandwidth Dirac costs extra
Only one analog line input
No multichannel pass-through

Full Review Here (posted 3/15/23)