Aaron Silverman
Senior HTF Member
I've had a Sony STR-DN1080 AVR for several years now, and it works like a champ. However, while shopping for a new sectional, we saw a gorgeous TV credenza/bookshelf set that we just had to have (discontinued floor model; now or never). Sadly, the AV component shelf is only 6.125" high -- too tight for the 1080. This is the credenza:
For the time being, we've pulled out the fireplace insert and have the AVR in what's now a single big open middle shelf, with all the wires clearly visible behind it. (There's no backing behind that space; the rest of the unit has a drywall-ish back with small cable cutouts behind the two enclosed cabinets and behind the middle top shelf.) It looks pretty grody.
I basically have two options:
1. Get an IR repeater and a fan unit (like this one), and put the AVR in one of the enclosed cabinets, each of which has one shelf about halfway up. I'd probably also need to cut a larger opening in the back for better ventilation, although I'd prefer to avoid doing that. My wife suggested taking off one door, but I doubt either one of us would care for the way that looks. I don't want to remove both doors, because the other cabinet is storing discs and things that'd look messy. (I could also install the Sony wi-fi remote app on my phone instead of getting a repeater, but opening an app every time I want to use the AVR sounds like a hassle.)
2. Buy a new AVR with a lower profile that fits on the top shelf. I'm here posting, so y'all know I'm champing at that bit.
However, we did just spend a large sum on new furniture.
The obvious choice on route #2 would probably be the Marantz Cinema 70s, which seems to have everything I need, feature-wise. However, it's $1200, which is about double what I'd like to spend. (That said, not entirely out of reach, pending convincing the Missus.) If I consider buying secondhand, a couple of older Marantz models, like the NR1606, seem like they could fit the bill.
Costco has the Denon AVR S760H for under $400, although at 6" it wouldn't have much clearance.
Sony currently offers the STR-DH790 at around $450. According to the online listings, it's only 5.2" tall. Of course, it's pretty long in the tooth and a literal downgrade from the 1080, although I could probably live without the extra features and power of the 1080. That said, the 790 only has 4 HDMI inputs, which means I'd have to connect a couple of components directly to the TV or get a switcher, both of which complicate things. Any thoughts on whether switching to the 790 would actually degrade the sound, vs. just giving up other features?
We use it mostly for movies and TV, but also for gaming and music. The main features I need are 4K passthrough, eARC, and all the fun audio codecs like Atmos and DTS:X. I also need a front headphone jack. I'd like to have an optical input. I have a collection of SACDs, DVD-As, and DTS CDs, but I assume that my semi-trusty ol' Sony X800 UHD deck will decode all of those to something that any decent AVR can handle.
My speaker setup, which is not changing, is as follows:
Klipsch RP-600m front R&L
Klipsch RP-500c center (the RP-600c was too tall for my old setup! )
Klipsch R-41sa front height R&L (top of 6' bookcases with a 9' ceiling)
An old subwoofer whose brand escapes me at the moment (OK, this one might get replaced at some point )
Sony SS-CS5 rear R&L (got these as a cheap stopgap when setting up originally, but they're so insanely good for what they cost that I never saw a need to replace 'em)
Thoughts? Recommendations? Any other models I should look into? The shorter-than-6-inches requirement really narrows things down. Should I try to splurge on a new Cinema 70s? If I want to look at secondhand models, what are some dependable resellers?
For the time being, we've pulled out the fireplace insert and have the AVR in what's now a single big open middle shelf, with all the wires clearly visible behind it. (There's no backing behind that space; the rest of the unit has a drywall-ish back with small cable cutouts behind the two enclosed cabinets and behind the middle top shelf.) It looks pretty grody.
I basically have two options:
1. Get an IR repeater and a fan unit (like this one), and put the AVR in one of the enclosed cabinets, each of which has one shelf about halfway up. I'd probably also need to cut a larger opening in the back for better ventilation, although I'd prefer to avoid doing that. My wife suggested taking off one door, but I doubt either one of us would care for the way that looks. I don't want to remove both doors, because the other cabinet is storing discs and things that'd look messy. (I could also install the Sony wi-fi remote app on my phone instead of getting a repeater, but opening an app every time I want to use the AVR sounds like a hassle.)
2. Buy a new AVR with a lower profile that fits on the top shelf. I'm here posting, so y'all know I'm champing at that bit.
However, we did just spend a large sum on new furniture.The obvious choice on route #2 would probably be the Marantz Cinema 70s, which seems to have everything I need, feature-wise. However, it's $1200, which is about double what I'd like to spend. (That said, not entirely out of reach, pending convincing the Missus.) If I consider buying secondhand, a couple of older Marantz models, like the NR1606, seem like they could fit the bill.
Costco has the Denon AVR S760H for under $400, although at 6" it wouldn't have much clearance.
Sony currently offers the STR-DH790 at around $450. According to the online listings, it's only 5.2" tall. Of course, it's pretty long in the tooth and a literal downgrade from the 1080, although I could probably live without the extra features and power of the 1080. That said, the 790 only has 4 HDMI inputs, which means I'd have to connect a couple of components directly to the TV or get a switcher, both of which complicate things. Any thoughts on whether switching to the 790 would actually degrade the sound, vs. just giving up other features?
We use it mostly for movies and TV, but also for gaming and music. The main features I need are 4K passthrough, eARC, and all the fun audio codecs like Atmos and DTS:X. I also need a front headphone jack. I'd like to have an optical input. I have a collection of SACDs, DVD-As, and DTS CDs, but I assume that my semi-trusty ol' Sony X800 UHD deck will decode all of those to something that any decent AVR can handle.
My speaker setup, which is not changing, is as follows:
Klipsch RP-600m front R&L
Klipsch RP-500c center (the RP-600c was too tall for my old setup!
)Klipsch R-41sa front height R&L (top of 6' bookcases with a 9' ceiling)
An old subwoofer whose brand escapes me at the moment (OK, this one might get replaced at some point
)Sony SS-CS5 rear R&L (got these as a cheap stopgap when setting up originally, but they're so insanely good for what they cost that I never saw a need to replace 'em)
Thoughts? Recommendations? Any other models I should look into? The shorter-than-6-inches requirement really narrows things down.
Should I try to splurge on a new Cinema 70s? If I want to look at secondhand models, what are some dependable resellers?
