Basic 5.1 Receiver Recommendations

[JSlack]

We inherited a relatively simple C4 system (just a couple rooms of AV and some security cameras) in our family cabin. The Denon avr-x2300w powering the AV in the main great room died after only 5-years and we need a replacement.

It's switching between 4-HDMI sources and only powering 3 front channels and a sub, so a simple 5.1 AVR would suit our needs. We can't easily add any more wired speakers due to the room layout. The ability to add wireless speakers via Yahama's musiccast sounded like a potentially interesting option.

The other thought was to get a quality powered soundbar and just tear out all the added c4 complexity and overhead. 

Thoughts on a relatively inexpensive AVR that integrates well with C4?

 

[eggzlot]

10 minutes ago, JSlack said:

We inherited a relatively simple C4 system (just a couple rooms of AV and some security cameras) in our family cabin. The Denon avr-x2300w powering the AV in the main great room died after only 5-years and we need a replacement.

It's switching between 4-HDMI sources and only powering 3 front channels and a sub, so a simple 5.1 AVR would suit our needs. We can't easily add any more wired speakers due to the room layout. The ability to add wireless speakers via Yahama's musiccast sounded like a potentially interesting option.

The other thought was to get a quality powered soundbar and just tear out all the added c4 complexity and overhead. 

Thoughts on a relatively inexpensive AVR that integrates well with C4?

 

Denon integrates well.  Is the current AVR wired control via IR, Serial or IP?

[JSlack]

AVR is controlled via IP (using an EA-3 in the room).

[eggzlot]

16 minutes ago, JSlack said:

AVR is controlled via IP (using an EA-3 in the room).

A dealer would know best what has IP drivers but with an EA3 in the room you can do IP, IR or Serial assuming those i/o's arent maxed out.  Point is, you can probably use 90% of the AVRs on the market.  If you want to stick to IP control, on the cheaper end I know a lot of Denon have IP control as do some Yamaha, I think Onkyo, etc.

can always search specific models here: https://drivers.control4.com/solr/drivers/browse

there are 113 Denon models with a certified c4 IP driver

there are 78 Yamaha AVR's with a certified C4 IP driver

I only pick Denon and Yamaha as they are cheaper than some other counterparts (Sony, Marantz, etc).  for a family cabin and a 3.1 set up any basic AVR will do the trick

[Arryve]

Denon has a new 5.2 (AVR S660) that has HEOS and WiFi built-in, so you could have some flexibility for adding additional speakers wirelessly.  They also play very well with C4. The trick is finding stock… AVRs are really hard to get at the moment. 

[ekohn00]

Also look at Marantz - it'll be a few steps up on quality and sound from Denon these days and also integrate (double check the specific model) with C4.