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$248 price drop. Amazon has the Pioneer SC-1522-K Class D3 9.2 Channel Receiver (2012 model) for $947 with free shipping. Features Smart content streaming, THX Select 2 Plus certification, AirPlay and 4K passthrough. Normally around $1300.
$947
can someone explain receivers to me. i never understood them really. why are they so expensive. what can they do that is different from hooking up a computer to many different speakers? thx
difference is the amp
Processing
TO: st3ady,
A receiver is a combination of an amplifier (amplifies the electronic sound signal and tries to do its best to faithfully reproduced is between 20 Hz to 20000 Hz faithfully with the dynamics of the original recorded signal), a pre-amplifier (is a circuitry system that is installed in a receiver before the amplifier and divides the signal between different components in the system without altering the electronic signal coming from the source such as a CD player, a DVD player, a turntable, et cetera), and a tuner that captures the audio signal coming form a radio station or a satellite radio system. There are two types of amplification systems one uses a solid state and one uses tubes. If you listen to orchestral music or some jazz, solo instruments of the orchestra, tube amplifiers produce a warmer and more life-like sound but they are more expensive than solid state amps and they require more maintenance. If you are used to listening to mp3 sound, do not worry about tube amplifiers. If you ever grow out of mp3, you may treat yourself with a good solid state sound system or tube amps such as VTL.
To answer the OP's question about price and function, higher cost receivers like this Pioneer are a bit more refined in terms of audio quality. Also you get more options that are left off the lower cost models. Key upgrades are in processing and switching. Differences in real-world power and reliability seems to be more a brand-to-brand issue than model-to-model within a brand.
A word of advice... the difference between a basic $200 receiver and a $1000 receiver is that you cry 5 times harder when you toss the $1000 one out. These things are not repairable - they are throw-aways even at this price point.
If a person is looking for audio quality and want home theater, often the best bet is to own 2 systems. While audiophile grade receivers have been marketed, today's equipment just "hasn't got it" in terms of pure audio quality. Personally I have an older Yamaha receiver for home theater and a good, solid, 1970's era system for music.