Product Strengths

• Fully featured HDMI 2.1 with 8K 60Hz and 4K 120Hz support, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, VRR, QMS, and QFT
• Comprehensive streaming options including Apple Airplay2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth with aptX HD, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Roon Ready
• Employs Dirac Live room correction, which is effective at improving sound quality
• Bug-free and rock-solid performance
• Delivers a refined, immersive, and natural sound

Product Considerations

• The web UI is considered dated
• The included microphone is of cheap quality compared to competitors
• Amplification may be underpowered for some applications or with less sensitive speakers in larger rooms
• Internal amplifiers are not fully assignable

Takeaway: The AVR21 is a well-featured AVR that provides immersive sound quality, thanks to Dirac, and can serve as the heart of any home theater. It has a wide range of connectivity options and can handle the latest video and gaming formats.

Product Strengths

• Beautiful solid construction built to a very high standard, exuding confidence
• Offers an analog tube-like sound that is luscious and natural
• The DAC is open sounding and has a very three-dimensional soundstage with an airy quality
• Balances warmth, transparency, and detail beautifully
• Includes HDMI ARC, USB DAC, MusicCast, bass management, and YPAO, packing a lot of features

Product Considerations

• YPAO room correction is limited to a single position and does not allow for much manual adjustment
• The older-school look may not appeal to everyone
• YPAO can sometimes flatten the bass too much and create unwanted notches in the frequency response
• Does not impart a lot of flavor, if any, into the mix, so may not be ideal for those looking for tone control

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs Yamaha RN-1000A: Construction and sound are much better, with a DAC that is quite lovely
• Vs Yamaha AS-3000: Sounds better
• Vs Luxman/Pass Labs/Accuphase: It holds its own with those brands, giving nothing up to them
• Vs Audiolab 9000A: Sound quality is similar, offering an exploded view of the recording, but the Yamaha may have slightly better detail and separation

Takeaway: The Yamaha RN-2000A is a well-built and attractive integrated amp with a number of useful modern features and a sweet, analog-like sound. It is a great choice for those seeking a blend of classic design and contemporary functionality.

Product Strengths

• Seventeen channels of processing, 13 speaker channels, and 4 subwoofer channels
• Eleven internal amplifiers to power the 13 channels it can process, and the last two have to be powered externally

Product Considerations

• Denon Marantz startup time is 12 to 14 seconds
• There are limitations on speaker configuration, so picking the closest match will functionally work
• Compatible with Dirac Live, however, Dirac Live requires additional costs and setup

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• The AVR-X6800H adds two more channels over the Denon AVRX 4800
• The AVR-X6800H has an advantage since rear surrounds or surround back speakers do not have to be disabled in order to use all the immersive channels
• The AVR-X6800H replaces the 6700 with a very similar feature set but a couple of new extras, more subwoofer counts, etc

Takeaway: The AVR-X6800H is a receiver that provides very good value, capable of creating a very immersive sound experience. It gives many speaker configuration options.

Product Strengths

• Comprehensive specification including CD player, FM/DAB+/internet radio, and network capability with multiple streaming services (Amazon Music HD, Deezer, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, Tidal)
• Intuitive control via a large (7') touchscreen, supplied remote, or a dedicated app, plus Alexa voice control
• Sound is well-controlled, but not too composed—offering a sense of flow and ease with generous resolution
• Solid build quality and attractive design that creates a striking impression
• Offers a good balance of musical fulfillment and ease of enjoyment, making it suitable for a wide range of listeners

Product Considerations

• Headphone socket and USB port are located on the rear panel, which may be inconvenient
• Wireless streaming is capped at 192kHz/24-bit, downsampled internally to 48kHz
• The balance is more refined and mature than red in tooth and claw, which might not suit listeners seeking ultimate speed and drive
• Vinyl playback through the Caruso R's analog inputs may not deliver all the detail heard from all-digital sources, since the incoming analog signal will be digitized
• The sound leans towards rich and slightly soft, potentially lacking some space and openness

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• The Caruso system has sonic characteristics that are reminiscent of the Naim Mu-so 2nd Gen
• The T+A Caruso R is a bit like a cuboid version of the Naim Uniti Star in both function and quality

Takeaway: The Caruso R is a versatile and well-designed all-in-one system that makes listening to music easy and enjoyable. Its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface provide everything needed for a great audio experience in one compact unit.

Product Strengths

• Premium Dirac Live license for room correction is included, which is considered top-of-the-line
• 11.4 channels with 150 watts per channel (into 8 ohms) are offered, and Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, IMAX Enhanced, and Dolby Atmos Music are supported
• XLR outputs for front left, center, and right channels, as well as discrete subwoofer channels, are featured, which are uncommon in this category and provide a balanced audio signal less susceptible to noise
• Amplified and preamp zone 2 and zone 3 outputs are provided without sacrificing main zone amp outputs, and a dedicated subwoofer RCA output for each of these zones is included
• Designed with custom installers in mind, it features easy setup, configuration, and integration with third-party control platforms, as well as a white backplate for easy connection visibility

Product Considerations

• Despite having four RCA subwoofer outputs, only two are independent channels, the other two are parallel outputs mirroring the same signal
• Integra does not publish power ratings for all channels driven simultaneously, the 150 watts per channel is only rated with two channels driven
• The unit is heavy, weighing nearly 50 pounds, which may pose a challenge for placement in tight spaces
• Dirac implementation had initial issues with subwoofer level matching when setting up on a PC, and the upload section was broken after a software update, requiring the use of the iPad app and the basic microphone instead
• The unit's styling and appearance are considered generic and not particularly elegant

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Compared to the last generation DRX-7.3, the DRX-8.4 has an upgraded amplifier—providing a worthy step-up in power
• Sonically similar to the Onkyo TX-RZ70 due to similar ESS Sabre DACs, although the Integra has a slightly higher power rating (150W vs 140W)
• In a blind test, the DRX-8.4 had better clarity of highs in dialogue compared to the Denon AVR-X8500HA, despite tonal similarities
• Compared to the Marantz Cinema 40, the Integra DRX-8.4 has 11 channels of onboard amplification versus only 9, and it offers XLR outputs for the front LCR preamp channels, which the Marantz does not

Takeaway: The Integra DRX-8.4 is a feature-rich AV receiver that sounds great and is easy to integrate into a smart home system. It is a solid choice for users who want high-end audio performance and flexible multi-zone capabilities.