Topic: Slim Line AV Receivers

[dm1179]

Let's start a thread dedicated to Slim Line AV receivers.

If you've been frustrated by bulky receivers with too many features that you never use, these models are a breath of fresh air, with their compact design and uncluttered back panel.

These models are also perfect for people looking for a bedroom receiver or smaller home theater setup. Fact is, not all of us have big living rooms that require powerful receivers or hefty speakers.

Here is a list of current Slim Line AV receivers and their release dates. Some are already available locally.

2013 Models

Cambridge Audio azur 351R (February 2013)
Marantz NR1604 (April 2013)
Marantz NR1504 (April 2013)
Pioneer VSX-S510 (November 2013)
Pioneer VSX-S310 (November 2013)
Sherbourn SR-8100 (September 2013)
Yamaha RX-S600 (September 2013)

Previous Models

Marantz NR1603 (February 2012)
Marantz NR1403 (February 2012)
Marantz NR1602 (August 2011)
Marantz NR1402 (August 2011)
Marantz NR1601 (February 2010)
Marantz NR1501 (February 2010)
Pioneer VSX-S500 (November 2011)
Pioneer VSX-S300 (November 2011)

Reference photos and brief description of 2013 models:

Cambridge Audio azur 351R

The 351R amp delivers superb-quality surround sound, plus stunning audiophile stereo for brilliant music reproduction, at amazing value. We call it "Sound First" design: we prioritise audio quality, and cut cost and clutter, to deliver the best-sounding AV receiver you'll ever hear at this price. For example, most living room setups are 5.1 (five speakers plus a subwoofer bass speaker). So instead of giving you a 7.1 receiver with two channels you'll never use, our engineers have spent the development budget putting better quality components in the bits you will use. They've also taken technologies from our pricier Azur 551R and included them in the 351R, including premium toroidal transformers for stunning bass response and pure sound and an all-metal chassis to minimise distortion. And the 351R packs plenty of power, putting out 50 watts per channel (at 8 ohms) for room-filling surround sound, and 80 watts per channel (at 6 ohms) for a superb audiophile stereo performance from even the most demanding speakers. And a clever automatic setup mode adjusts the speakers perfectly, whatever the size and shape of your room.



Marantz NR1604

The Marantz NR1604 is a versatile 7-channel home theater receiver with network capabilities in a slim-line body that delivers spacious, realistic surround sound from a wide variety of sources. This receiver features support for next-generation TV displays capable of displaying 4K Ultra HD video. Along with 4K Ultra HD and 3D pass-through the NR1604 also features video upscaling technology to 4K Ultra HD. The network functions of the NR1604 let you enjoy the music library of your iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad® using AirPlay®, and a wide variety of content such as music streaming from Pandora, Spotify, and SiriusXM. With the network functions you can also use your Android or iOS device to operate the NR1604 via the available Marantz Remote App. In addition, with the Multi Zone functionality you can even output music from the main room to a different room such as a kitchen or bedroom via an additional pair of speakers.



Marantz NR1504

The Marantz NR1504 is a powerful 5-channel home theater receiver featuring high quality sound from a slim-line body and the addition of network capabilities that let you enjoy free internet radio as well as online streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify and SiriusXM. This receiver also supports AirPlay®, which lets you play a wide range of content from the music library in your iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad®. With the Marantz Remote App you can easily operate the NR1504 from an Android or iOS device. The Setup Assistant displayed on your TV guides you through the quick and easy process of setting up your home theater. Once that’s done, you’re all set to enjoy all kinds of home theater entertainment along with an outstanding surround sound experience.



Pioneer VSX-S510-K

6.2-channel AV Receiver with 6 HDMI inputs/1 output, 4K Ultra HD Pass Through, front USB terminal, MHL connector for Android devices, Class D amplification. AirPlay, DLNA Certified (1.5) and compatible with Windows 8. vTuner internet radio and Spotify Connect. Support for 192 kHz/24 bit WAV, FLAC, AIFF and 96 kHz/24 bit Apple Lossless audio files via USB and network. Gapless playback for AIFF, Apple Lossless, WAV and FLAC files. 110 W (4 Ω driven) output power per channel. Energysaving ECO mode. Controllable via Pioneer ControlApp.



Pioneer VSX-S310-S

5.2-channel AV Receiver with 4 HDMI inputs/1 output, 4K Ultra HD Pass Through, front USB terminal and Class D amplification, 110 W (4 Ω driven) output power per channel. Energy-saving ECO mode.



Sherbourn SR-8100

In a single compact AV receiver, we’ve packed all the features you need for a great home theater experience. Excellent audio and video with fast HDMI switching, easy Sherbourn automatic room correction, and plenty of power—7 x 80 watts per channel (8 ohms), all channels driven, with discrete audiophile components and a toroidal power supply. And, of course, a 5-year warranty—up to 5x longer than the competition.



Yamaha RX-S600

Slim and compact 5.1-channel network AV receiver, with high-quality audio and convenient functions including AirPlay®, AV Controller App and MHL® support. Other notable features for Yamaha’s skinny new wunderkind include the company’s proprietary YPAO speaker calibration system, multiple DTS and Dolby digital surround formats, an AV control app for Android, iOS and Kindle Fire, 4K UHD and 3D passthrough, and Burr-Brown DACs that support up to 192Khz/24 bit HD audio files.





Reference photos and brief description of previous models:

Marantz NR1403

Enjoy optimum audio and video quality through your home theater system with the NR1403 Slim Line AV Receiver from Marantz. Equipped with six HDMI inputs, including one on the front, this 5.1-channel receiver allows you to play sound and video from a variety of devices, including set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, DVD players, camcorders, and even tablet computers. Audyssey MultEQ technology optimizes the acoustics, while 3D pass-through support makes it great for playing Blu-ray 3D discs. Part of Marantz's Slim Line series, the NR1403 features a sleek design and a small footprint, making it well suited for audiophiles with space constraints.



Pioneer VSX-S500-K

Just 85 mm high and 317 mm deep, Pioneer Slim Receivers are designed to fit in any popular TV or home cinema rack. And with the "Sound Wing" mode, they are the ideal companion for Sound Wing speakers for 360° surround with just 1 or 2 speakers. Plug in your iPod or iPhone, and it becomes one with the receiver. Or insert a USB device to play PC files. And when you connect to your internet via LAN, you can enjoy internet radio and automatic firmware updates. The slim VSX-S500 brings you the HD home cinema, with the option to intelligently adjust the sound according to the position of your speakers using MCACC. This way, you'll always be in the sweet spot for perfect audio when watching a film or gaming. An AM/FM tuner is built-in. It has 6 HD inputs including 4 x HDMI.



Pioneer VSX-S300-K

Just 280 mm high and 317 mm deep, Pioneer Slim Receivers are designed to fit in any popular TV or home cinema rack. And with the “Sound Wing” mode, they are the ideal companion for Sound Wing speakers for 360° surround with just 1 or 2 speakers. The slim VSX-S300 brings you the basics of HD home cinema, with the option to intelligently adjust the sound according to the position of your speakers using MCACC. This way, you'll always be sitting in the sweet spot for perfect audio when watching a film or gaming. An AM/FM tuner is built-in. Eco Mode is a special power-saving feature that reduces up to 60% of power usage through de-activating unused functions. It has 6 HD inputs including 4 x HDMI.




If you own any Slim Line AV receiver, be it recent or past models, feel free to share your setup, review and experience.

[redram]

for almost two yrs, i have been using Marantz NR1501 with mission m3c1i as center speaker and both snugly fits in my 6" cabinet shelf. the bookshelf mission mv4 front speakers sits on top of the cabinet flanking my led tv. the surround speakers are in-ceiling thus free of wire clutter.

this Marantz receiver is astonishingly robust and at the same time musical for its size. enjoying its soundstage without being obtrusive to the sala decor.

[Oloap]

do you think the 50 watts per channel is enough?

napaisip ako dito ah

[dm1179]

@Oloap: the difference between 50W per channel and 100W per channel is just +3dB sound level.

[Oloap]

thanks dm1179.

quite worried it may be strained to drive my speakers.

whats the best amp for this slim line? the marantz looks good.

[Oloap]

the price is quite near a regular avr with more features and more power. does the small form factor justify the price?

[dm1179]

@Oloap: IMHO, it's hard to go wrong with any of these models. what you should do is to compare features..

do you need 5.1ch or 7.1ch?
how many HDMI inputs do you need?
how many Optical inputs do you need?
do you need Zone 2 control?
do you need AirPlay support? DLNA support?
etc.

the best model is the one with all the features you require.

[dm1179]

the price is quite near a regular avr with more features and more power. does the small form factor justify the price?

for people who needs a compact receiver, YES. as long as you get the features you need and the power for your speakers, then price is justified.

[DTNS]

if I was to get a slim line AVR, I'd get the Marantz NR1604. but I want more power and I need pre-outs for other channels aside from the sub and fronts. so I'm not going slim-line. 

[♡ lvcdg23™ ✌]

I think bagay itong slim line sa mga may gustong minimalist look ang set up especially kapag bedroom or living room set up.
Bagay din ito sa mga sound bars like the Goldenear 3D Array system...

[DTNS]

I think bagay itong slim line sa mga may gustong minimalist look ang set up especially kapag bedroom or living room set up.
Bagay din ito sa mga sound bars like the Goldenear 3D Array system...

Marantz NR1603 ang kasama sa GoldenEar 3D Array package ni marc.

[Oloap]

question:

how important is video upscaling? correct me if im wrong, comparing the Marantz nr 1403 with other avrs on the same price scale (notably the Onkyo 515 and Yamaha 573), the slimline lacks video upconversion, lacks internet connectivity as well as component connections. However, it can decode more dts/dolby formats.

i like this but something is holding me back yet. maybe this is a very very basic receiver compared to competitors' features.

[oReOsHaKe]

I think bagay itong slim line sa mga may gustong minimalist look ang set up especially kapag bedroom or living room set up.

agree with this..

[avshop]

question:

how important is video upscaling? correct me if im wrong, comparing the Marantz nr 1403 with other avrs on the same price scale (notably the Onkyo 515 and Yamaha 573), the slimline lacks video upconversion, lacks internet connectivity as well as component connections. However, it can decode more dts/dolby formats.

i like this but something is holding me back yet. maybe this is a very very basic receiver compared to competitors' features.

If you want more features go for the nr1603 or nr1604.

[Oloap]

If you want more features go for the nr1603 or nr1604.

avshop, the big jump in price doesnt justify going for the higher model. konti na lang, sr5008 na. the price you quoted me on the 1403 is good enough.

[avshop]

avshop, the big jump in price doesnt justify going for the higher model. konti na lang, sr5008 na. the price you quoted me on the 1403 is good enough.

What you're paying for is the slim form factor. Some people don't have the space for big receivers. Any the price difference of the sr5008 and nr1604 is still around 7-8k.

[Stagea]

question:

how important is video upscaling? correct me if im wrong, comparing the Marantz nr 1403 with other avrs on the same price scale (notably the Onkyo 515 and Yamaha 573), the slimline lacks video upconversion, lacks internet connectivity as well as component connections. However, it can decode more dts/dolby formats.

i like this but something is holding me back yet. maybe this is a very very basic receiver compared to competitors' features.

If you have a good display, it'd likely handle the video conversion very well on its own.

[qguy]

Do you still need a Media player for this or can you directly connect a hard drive to enjoy 5.1 audio ?

[Oloap]

Do you still need a Media player for this or can you directly connect a hard drive to enjoy 5.1 audio ?

yes, from what i read you need to have a media player. I was thinking on the line of HT naman. apparently the usb is for audio purposes from iphone, iPad, iPod and androids.

[dm1179]

If you have a good display, it'd likely handle the video conversion very well on its own.

+1.aside from your TV, most DVD players, bluray players and media players have video upscaling feature as well. so not a deal breaker if the AV receiver does not have it.

comparing the Marantz nr 1403 with other avrs on the same price scale (notably the Onkyo 515 and Yamaha 573), the slimline lacks video upconversion, lacks internet connectivity as well as component connections.

if you need internet connectivity, then NR1403 is not the right model to get. with regards to component connections, i never used them for years. only HDMI and SPDIF are important for me.

[dm1179]

Do you still need a Media player for this or can you directly connect a hard drive to enjoy 5.1 audio ?

yes, a media player is required or use your TV's USB port if it supports media playback. i believe no current AV receiver can stream video yet, only audio and photo streaming pa lang.

[dm1179]

added Sherbourn SR-8100 7.1 Channel Receiver on the list.

[DTNS]

added Sherbourn SR-8100 7.1 Channel Receiver on the list.

some trivia about Sherbourn, they're a sister company of Emotiva.   I haven't seen any Sherbourn products brought into our market though.

[dm1179]

added Cambridge Audio azur 351R 5.1 Channel Receiver on the list.