Denon AVR-X1300W £300
Four-star ratings all round suggests no clear winner, but one of these amps stands out...
You don’t need a diploma in astrology to work out that picking the one of this trio that’s best suited to your requirements means looking beyond the star-count. While all three have four-star ratings, suggesting that they all cross the line together in joint first place, there is still a clear hierarchy here. And topping it is the Denon AVR X1300W.
Continuing the brand’s impressive reign in the affordable market, it offers a compelling combination of 7.2 channels, hi-res audio, network streaming features like Spotify Connect, and a solid, weighty performance that neither the Yamaha nor the Pioneer can quite match.
But in a way, Denon has shot itself in the foot here. The main barrier to the AVR X1300W gaining a fifth star is its superior-sounding big brother, the Award-winning AVR X2300W. That is easily worth an extra £100 outlay for anyone with a more flexible budget.
Gripping sounds
Sonic purists (or those with such features accessible elsewhere in their system) who are willing to sacrifice network functionality and settle solely for Bluetooth streaming and physical connections can plump for either the Yamaha RX V381 or Pioneer VSX 531.
The former is next in the rankings. Yamaha’s vast range of AV amps has long been associated with big, enveloping presentations, and this entry-level amp doesn’t buck that trend. With expression on tap, especially in the midrange, it’s as gripping with music as it is with movies. But, like the Pioneer, it lacks the Denon’s level of authority.
The Pioneer is no dud though. With its fast, articulate sound, it is more than up to the task of inaugurating a newbie to the pleasures of surround sound. Given a touch more solidity and top-end insight, it might not have been our third choice.
Inner demons
Whether you’re looking to upgrade from a soundbar set-up, or starting a home cinema system from scratch, the trio of models here benefit from at least Bluetooth streaming, are easy to set up, and are bound to make both movies and music sound exhilarating.
All three lay the foundations for you to build your system slowly towards surround-sound supremacy, but the Denon AVR X1300W has what it takes to keep you entertained for longer than the Pioneer and Yamaha. Ultimately though, our inner demons are suggesting you skip all three and part with the extra cash for the superior Denon AVR X2300W.