Best AV Receivers
27 products ranked across 672 cited reviews, videos and discussions · Updated 10 Sept 2026
On the stierproducts av receivers board, Denon AVR-X3800H ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Sony STR-AN1000 (#2, A tier) and Denon AVR-X3900H (#3, A tier). The board ranks 27 av receivers from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 10 Sept 2026, drawing on 672 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Sony STR-AZ7000ES, Yamaha RX-A6A, Anthem MRX 740 8K, and 6 others.
#11 Yamaha RX500A
#12 Denon AVR-S980H
#13 1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Onkyo TX-NR6100
#14 Onkyo TX-NR7100
#15 1 of 2 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Onkyo TX-RZ30
Moved up from D to C on 10 Sept 2026 #16 Marantz Cinema 30
#17 1 of 3 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Denon AVR-S770H
#18 2 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Denon AVR-A1H
#19 2 of 4 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Sony STR-AZ7000ES
Moved down from C to D on 10 Sept 2026 #20 2 of 12 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Yamaha RX-A6A
Moved down from C to D on 10 Sept 2026 #21 1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Anthem MRX 740 8K
#22 1 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Marantz Cinema 70s
#23 Marantz NR1711
#24 2 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Denon AVR-S570BT
#25 3 of 9 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Arcam AVR5
#26 1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Yamaha RX-V385
#27 3 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Sony STR-DH590
What moved on this board
27 tier changes recorded between 22 Jul 2026 and 14 Sept 2026. The 5 most recent are below.
- 10 Sept 2026 Anthem MRX 740 8K moved down from C to D. 1 more research game. 2 sources added.
- 10 Sept 2026 Yamaha RX-A6A moved down from C to D. 3 more research games. 3 sources added, 3 removed.
- 10 Sept 2026 Marantz Cinema 30 moved up from D to C. 2 more research games. 2 sources added, 2 removed.
- 10 Sept 2026 Denon AVR-X4800H moved up from B to A. 3 more research games. 1 source added, 1 removed.
- 25 Jul 2026 Marantz Cinema 30 moved down from C to D. 1 more research game. 1 source added, 1 removed.
Each line shows what else changed at the same publish. It is not a statement of cause.
Frequently asked questions
Denon AVR-X3800H sits at #1 in the S tier of our consolidated board, ranked across independent research runs over 672 cited reviews, videos and discussions. The sweet spot of the entire market: 11.4-channel processing, 9.4-channel amplification, pre-outs and full 8K HDMI 2.1 at roughly half of what the true flagships cost, out-specifying receivers that cost far more.
Sony STR-AN1000 ranks #2 (A tier). A mature, trouble-free mid-range Sony platform and a Tom's Guide tested pick. No red flags, no fireworks.
Our research places Sony STR-AZ7000ES, Yamaha RX-A6A, Anthem MRX 740 8K, Marantz Cinema 70s, Marantz NR1711, Denon AVR-S570BT, Arcam AVR5, Yamaha RX-V385, Sony STR-DH590 in the bottom tiers (D/F). Sony STR-AZ7000ES: Crutchfield's "time-tested craftsmanship" flagship with a full Audio Science Review bench test behind it and custom-install build standards. Only Denon's longer mainstream field track record keeps it from first.
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