The home cinema amplifier is the brains and power of any home cinema system and will ensure your TV and movies sound emphatic, detailed and dynamic - and, most importantly, genuinely give you that immersive, cinematic experience.
The most crucial thing to consider when buying an AVR is matching it to the size of your surround system and deciding whether to allow for expansion in the future. Plenty of AV receivers now include Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for adding even more sound channels, with the addition of height channel speakers. Sometimes, these channels can also be deployed as a second zone.
The number of HDMI inputs you need is another important factor. Most AVRs come with a glut of HDMI inputs that can pass through 4K (and even 8K) and HDR video. Still, it's worth thinking about whether you will benefit from the next-gen gaming specs of HDMI 2.1 or if you will be using your home cinema primarily for film and TV, in which case, cheaper HDMI 2.0 ports will suffice.
Setting up an AVR yourself can be daunting, but many companies include a microphone and step-by-step guide to the optimisation process. Others go even further, where your AVR can be enhanced by third party calibration software for more in-depth tweaking. Whether you get your AVR installed by a professional or go it alone, make sure that you are comfortable with the interface's user-friendliness.
Modern AVRs have become true home entertainment hubs and can bring a host of features such as Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, multi-room streaming and DAB to your system, making it truly versatile and multi-functional. But most of all, the best AV receivers deliver brilliant, room-filling sound.
Here then is our pick of the very best, all tried, tested and star-rated in our dedicated testing rooms. From entry-level AVRs to feature-packed AV beasts, there is sure to be something here that is right for you and your home cinema.
This story is from the September 2022 edition of What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2022 edition of What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FILM KNIGHTS
These gallant heroes are armed to make the home cinema experience as good as it can be. We round up four of our favourite premium AV amplifiers
Mid-century style, modern sound
\"The treble is never harsh or bright and it has a sonic signature that is warm and huggable, just like its exterior personality\"
Bold and beautiful
\"Plant's piercing voice is conveyed with superb verve and energy and Page's guitar screams through\"
Austrian Audio The Composer
\"Make no mistake, they are impressive, but not in a flash-bang-wallop way. They are more mature than that\"
Best free music streaming apps
Tons of gratis tunes on Android and iPhone, without forking out a penny
Systems vs separates
Speaker systems are in danger of killing budget hi-fi separates, but can they coexist? Managing editor WHF UK Becky Roberts certainly hopes so
Whatever happened to the budget stereo amplifier market?
Technical editor WHF UK Ketan Bharadia laments a real gap in the market
GO FORTH AND AMPLIFY
If you want to assemble a great-sounding system of affordable hi-fi separates, finding the right amp is critical. Allow us to help you on your journey
R.I.P. THE AUX INPUT
The aux input is dead and awaiting burial...but we miss it already
Everything you need to know about Auracast
The revolutionary Bluetooth audio-sharing tech that promotes personal audio experiences in public spaces