It used to be a lot simpler to find the best stereo receiver for your needs since most people only used receivers for their home audio system, but today the addition of video devices and the multitude of audio/video sources makes the choice more demanding. So here are a few tips to keep in mind as you shop for a stereo or digital receiver.
First of all make sure that the receiver that you choose to be the brain of your home entertainment center will be able to support all the devices that you intend to use with it. These days video and audio can come from a variety of sources including camcorders, digital video recorders, DVD players, cable or satellite boxes, video game systems, cd players and so on. You will need to have corresponding inputs for however many devices that you intend to use. So plan ahead and make sure the receiver you buy will fit your needs that way. You will have to pay more for a digital receiver that carries a plethora of input connections, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Also be sure that the connections for both audio and video match between your components and the receiver. Most devices can support a standard composite cable connection, but for your best video sources you will probably want some S-video connections that produce a better screen picture with more detail. On the audio side, if you are using surround sound as many people are these days, make sure that the audio connections from your components match the inputs on your receiver. For digital equipment it is usually either an optical or coaxial connection, but whichever it is, be sure that the connections on both ends will match.
Then be sure that the receiver will be sufficient for your room size. Most rooms will take about 50 watts per channel to power the speakers sufficiently, but larger rooms may require 75 watts per channel and very large rooms can use 100 watts per channel to fill the room up with sound.
You also will need to match the receiver to your speakers too as some speakers use different ohm ratings to accomplish their sound purpose. An ohm has to do with how much resistance there is to the current being sent from the receiver. If you match an 8 ohm receiver with a set of 4 ohm speakers you may damage your receiver because of all the overwork that it has to do to keep up with the current demand from the speakers. So just make sure that you match the receiver requirements to the speaker set that you have.
Finally, don't assume that price is the definitive guide for quality. Many reviews of the best stereo receivers have concluded that high quality equipment does not always cost more, so read the reviews, shop around thoroughly and follow the suggestions given above and you can make a good stereo receiver purchase.
Stereo receivers are the unsung heroes of the entertainment electronics and home theater field. They aren't flashy or in your face, and yet most of the other components have to connect to the receiver in order to function best. Stereo receivers are expected to tune in FM/AM broadcasts, provide surround sound, and switch between home theater components, so as you can see it's a very important piece of equipment. So what features should you look for when you want to buy a stereo receiver? Here are a few:
* If you plan on using your receiver in a home theater setup, check to be sure that it has all of the correct connections for the components that you have. There are still several stereo receivers that only have audio connections, but if you wish to include video as well, the receiver should have enough connections for your DVD player and any other video sources that you want to send to your TV including either cable or satellite. Regular composite connections will work for video, but if you want better, sharper color and detail opt for an S-video connection instead as this cable separates the black-and-white portion of the video from the color portion and produces a better overall picture.
* Make sure that you have enough connections for your audio needs as well. If you are getting into digital surround sound you will need at least 6 speakers with their appropriate connections on your receiver. If it's a digital receiver it should support both Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround sound at least, which employs separate channels for 5 speakers and a subwoofer. If you choose to use the more recent 6.1 or 7.1 format, you will have to have the extra necessary speakers and connections for that.
* Make sure that the controls on the stereo digital receiver are easy to read and understand. That also goes for the remote control. It's amazing how many great electronics equipment comes with an awful remote control that is hard to understand and use. Some digital receivers now have the ability to display their controls on the TV screen making it even easier to operate, and if you don't like squinting at small knobs and LED readouts this could be just what you need.
* A graphics equalizer is a nice feature on many stereo receivers and digital receivers. It allows you to control specific parts of the audio spectrum including mid-range, bass and treble separately from each other. Quite often receivers will provide a simple solution and give you preset selections to choose from instead of total control, and for most people this will be just fine.
The work of a stereo receiver has grown considerably from the days when it was just a hub for the audio components of your home stereo. Today it is a multi-tasking powerhouse and entertainment nerve center. Hopefully the suggestions mentioned above will help you find the best stereo receiver for your needs.