Sony STR-AZ5000ES 11.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Up to 130W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- 7 x HDMI Inputs for 8K & 4K/120 Video
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support
- HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG & IMAX Enhanced
Other Buying Options
Sonos Amp 250W Stereo Power Amplifier (Black)
- 2.1-Channel Amplifier Configuration
- 125W per Channel Power Output
- Class-D Amplification
- Stereo RCA & HDMI ARC Inputs
Yamaha RX-V385 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver
- Up to 70W Per Channel at 8 Ohms
- YPAO Sound Calibration
- UHD Upscaling / HDR UHD Pass-Through
- HDMI with Audio Return Channel Support
Yamaha R-S202 Stereo Receiver with Bluetooth (Black)
- Up to 100W Per Channel at 8 Ohms
- 4 x RCA-In, 1 x RCA-Out
- Built-In Bluetooth Connectivity
- Front Panel 1/4" Headphone Output
Other Buying Options
Sony STR-DH190 Stereo Receiver
- Up to 100W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- 4 x Stereo RCA In / 1 x Stereo RCA Out
- Stereo Phono Input
- 1/8" Auxiliary Input
Other Buying Options
Sony STR-AN1000 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Up to 165W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- 6 x HDMI Inputs, 2 for 8K & 4K/120 Video
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support
- HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG & IMAX Enhanced
Other Buying Options
Onkyo TX-SR494 7.2-Channel A/V Receiver
- Up to 80W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- 5.2.2-Channel Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Support
- AccuEQ Sound Calibration
- HDR UHD Pass-Through
Onkyo TX-NR6100 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Up to 100W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- 5.2.2-Channel Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Support
- THX Select Certification
- 4K 120 Hz HDR Pass-Through
Onkyo TX-RZ50 9.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Up to 120W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- Up to 8K at 60 Hz or 4K at 120 Hz
- HDMI 2.1 for Enhanced Gaming
- 6 x HDMI-In / 2 x HDMI-Out
Other Buying Options
Yamaha A-S301 Stereo Integrated Amplifier (Black)
- 60W per Channel RMS at 8 Ohms
- Optical and Coaxial Inputs
- 5x Stereo RCA Inputs, 1x Phono
- Speaker A, B or A+B Selection
Denon AVR-X3800H 9.4-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Supports 9.4 or 5.1.4-Channel Audio
- Up to 105W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- Up to 8K HDR Video on All HDMI Inputs
- Use with HEOS for Multi-Room Audio
Other Buying Options
Denon AVR-X6700H 11.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Up to 140W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- Audyssey MultEQ XT32 Sound Calibration
- 7.1.4- or 9.1.2-Channel 3D Audio Support
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X
Yamaha RX-V4A 5.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver with MusicCast
- Up to 80W per Channel at 6 Ohms
- YPAO Sound Customization
- 4K UHD Pass-Through
- HDMI with HDR10, eARC, ARC Support
Sony STR-AZ3000ES 9.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Up to 120W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- 6 x HDMI Inputs, 4 for 8K & 4K/120 Video
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support
- HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG & IMAX Enhanced
Sony STR-DH590 5.2-Channel A/V Receiver
- Up to 145W Per Channel at 6 Ohms
- Digital Cinema Auto Calibration
- UHD 4K & HDR Video Pass-Through
- HDMI with 3D, ARC & CEC Support
Other Buying Options
Denon AVR-S660H 5.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Up to 75W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- 3 x HDMI 2.1 Inputs: 8K/60 & 4K/120
- 3 x HDMI Inputs: 4K/60
- HEOS Built-In Multiroom Streaming
Denon X-Series AVR-X1800H 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- 7.2 or 5.1.2-Channel Speaker Support
- 3D Audio with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
- 8K60 or 4K120 Video Pass-Through
- 6 x HDMI Inputs / 2 x HDMI Outputs
Onkyo TX-8220 Stereo Receiver
- Power Output up to 45W per Channel
- WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
- Discrete Amp Output Stage Circuitry
- Optical & Digital Coaxial In
Pioneer VSX-534 5.2-Channel A/V Receiver
- Up to 80W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support
- MCACC Sound Optimization
- 4K UHD, HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision Support
Yamaha RX-V6A 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver with MusicCast
- Up to 100W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- YPAO Sound Customization
- 4K UHD Upscaling & Pass-Through
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support
Denon AVR-S970H 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Supports 7.2 or 5.2.2-Channel Audio
- Up to 90W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- Up to 8K HDR Video
- Use with HEOS for Multi-Room Audio
Pyle Pro PDA6BU Stereo Receiver with Bluetooth
- Up to 100W RMS per Channel at 8 Ohms
- Bluetooth Music Streaming
- SD Card Slot & USB Host Reader
- 2x Stereo RCA, 2x 1/4" Mic Inputs
Sony STR-DH790 7.2-Channel A/V Receiver
- Up to 145W Per Channel at 6 Ohms
- Digital Cinema Auto Calibration
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Decoding
- UHD 4K & HDR Video Pass-Through
Denon S-Series AVR-S670H 5.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Up to 75W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- 3 x 8K/60 & 3 x 4K/120 HDMI Inputs
- HEOS Built-In Multiroom Streaming
- Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD Master Audio
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 9.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Up to 120W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- Up to 8K at 60 Hz or 4K at 120 Hz
- HDMI 2.1 for Enhanced Gaming
- 7 x HDMI-In / 2 x HDMI-Out
Sony STR-AZ1000ES 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver
- Up to 100W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- 6 x HDMI Inputs with 2 x for 8K & 4K/120
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support
- HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG & IMAX Enhanced
Marantz M-CR612 HEOS Network Stereo Receiver with Built-In CD Player
- Up to 60W per Channel at 6 Ohms
- Integrated CD Player
- Stereo RCA, USB, 2x Optical Inputs
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 Connectivity
Other Buying Options
Onkyo TX-NR7100 9.2-Channel THX-Certified Network AV Receiver
- Up to 100W per Channel at 8 Ohms
- 9.2-Channel Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Support
- THX Certified with 4 x Listening Modes
- 6 x HDMI Rear & 1 x HDMI Front Inputs
Receivers and Amplifiers: Learning the Difference
Receivers and amplifiers are the foundation of surround-sound home theater, audio-video (A/V) systems offering movies and music, and audio systems connected to a variety of music components. Receivers differ from amplifiers in configuration, but both drive audio signals to speaker systems.
What’s an Amplifier?
Amplifiers power speakers from a single-source audio component. They transform low-voltage signals into signals with enough gain to power speakers. Stereo power amplifiers normally transfer much more wattage per channel than receivers do, so they’re able to handle the needs of high-end speakers. Wattage isn’t the power of the volume that goes through each channel, but the amount of clean sound for any given ohm input. Speakers need not be “loud,” as much as they need to yield clear, powerful sound without distortion.
Stereo Receiver Amplifiers
A/V and stereo receivers offer multi-channel inputs for speakers, with built-in amplifiers to boost audio signals for output. Receivers may also offer one or two pre-amplifier outputs for subwoofers.
Surround-sound, home-theater receivers have at least five channels for front, right, and center speakers, and right- and left-surround speakers. Channels for rear center, right, and left and extra surround-sound speakers, and preamp outputs for subwoofers, can boost a 5-channel receiver’s designation up to 13.2, meaning 13 available channels and 2 subwoofer pre-amps. Receivers also offer outputs for home audio components, including TVs, turntables, CD players, external tuners, and set-top boxes.
Audio Capabilities of Multi-Channel Receivers
Surround-sound receivers driving output to five or more speakers immerse you into movies or music as they were originally recorded. You can also get the same separation of sound when using headphones and earphones.
Home-theater A/V receivers decode the audio signals that are recorded on different media, such as DVDs and Blu-ray discs. The formats include the Dolby Digital and DTS:X lines, each of which delivers reproductions of recorded audio for a specific number of receiver channels. Many receivers are equipped for more sophisticated audio signaling from formats such as Dolby Atmos for overhead speakers and the immersive surround sound of 3D audio being offered by Auro Technologies.
Receivers also come with multiple HDMI ports for transferring video formats on various media to TVs and monitors, including resolution from 1080p to 3D to 4K. Many can handle the most advanced video augmentation, including high-dynamic range (HDR) contrast boosting with Dolby Vision and HLG, 4:4:4 color saturation, and 21:9 ultrawide format.
Receivers for Internet, Wireless, and Multi-Room Sound
The vast majority of receivers offer Ethernet connectivity for music streaming and network sharing, and Wi-Fi router and Bluetooth connectivity for single and multi-room sound systems with wireless speakers. Many home-theater receivers can operate multiple A/V systems in other rooms, or—using different audio platforms, including HEOS and MusicCast—can send music from individual components to the wireless speakers.
Check out the vast array of stereo receivers and separate amplifiers at B&H Photo and discover which one is best suited to what you need in your home theater or audio-only system.