Review · Updated July 2026
Review
I think the AVR-S760H is a smart buy if your room does double duty. If you spin records, stream shows, and keep a PS5 or Xbox Series X connected, this Denon covers the bases better than a lot of budget receivers.
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Darkside Vinyl's verdict
In our listening room
I wouldn't buy it for a music-only room. But for a mixed-use setup, it's one of the cleanest answers in this price range.
A lot of people assume a home theater receiver is bad for vinyl. I don't buy that.
Pros
- Supports 8K video
- Excellent audio formats
- Voice control with Alexa
- Multi-room music streaming
- Seamless gaming experience
Cons
- Setup may be complex for beginners
- Limited HDMI ports for some users
At a glance
, by the numbers
The specs and scores that matter most when deciding if this product fits your setup.
How it scored
4.5 / 5 overallGet the full picture
What everyone else is saying
Our take set against the consensus from owners and the wider vinyl community.
I think this is one of the better entry-level home theater receivers for vinyl listeners who live in the real world.
Amazon feedback usually centers on value, features, and easy TV integration.
Reddit and forum chatter lands in about the same place: strong feature value, solid mixed-use performance, and a reminder that speaker setup matters.
Overview
Overview
| Spec | What you get |
|---|---|
| Channels | 7.2-channel receiver |
| Phono input | Yes, moving magnet compatible |
| HDMI 2.1 ports | Multiple HDMI 2.1 inputs with 8K passthrough and 4K/120Hz support |
| Room correction | Audyssey MultEQ |
| Wireless features | HEOS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 |
| Best use case | One receiver for turntable, TV, streaming, and console gaming |
Specs That Matter for Vinyl Buyers
The phono input is the headline for turntable owners. If your deck uses a moving magnet cartridge, as many Audio-Technica and Fluance models do, you can connect directly without extra gear.
It also gives you a useful upgrade path. You can run a simple 2.1 music setup, keep stereo mode for records, and still have spare channels if your room shifts toward movies later.
What the HDMI and TV Features Mean in Practice
HDMI 2.1 matters if you own a PS5 or Xbox Series X and care about 4K/120Hz. eARC matters if you want TV audio to return to the receiver cleanly, so your streaming apps don't need a clumsy workaround.
In plain English, this means fewer boxes and fewer cable headaches. One receiver can handle records at night, streaming on the couch, and weekend gaming without constant input juggling.
Is the Built-In Phono Stage Enough?
For many buyers, yes. If you're using a normal MM cartridge and a sensible turntable, the built-in stage is enough to get started and stay happy for a while.
An external phono preamp can still help if you move to better cartridges or more revealing speakers. Just use the correct input, because plugging a turntable into a standard line input is a fast way to think something's broken.
Denon AVR-S760H vs Sony STR-DH790 vs Onkyo TX-NR5100
| Feature | Denon AVR-S760H | Sony STR-DH790 | Onkyo TX-NR5100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phono input | Yes | No phono input on most common configs buyers compare here | Yes |
| HDMI 2.1 value | Strong | Weaker for next-gen gaming buyers | Strong |
| Best for | Best mixed-use balance | Lower-cost theater entry | HDMI 2.1 value rival |
| Music-first or theater-first | Mixed-use, slightly theater-first | Theater-first | Mixed-use, theater-first |
The Sony makes more sense if price is the main thing and vinyl isn't. The Onkyo is the closest rival if you're shopping for HDMI 2.1 value, while the Yamaha RX-V6A is the model I'd check if you want to spend more for a step up.
Choose the Denon if you want the best balance of phono support, TV integration, and gaming features in one box. Choose the Sony if you're building a cheaper theater-first setup and don't need a phono input. Choose the Onkyo if you're cross-shopping mainly on HDMI 2.1 value and still want a mixed-use receiver.
If the feature mix fits your room, the choice gets simple: one flexible box or a cleaner stereo-only path.
| Best for | Not for | Bottom line |
|---|---|---|
| Turntable + TV buyers, first home theater builds, bookshelf speaker systems, HDMI 2.1 shoppers who also need phono | Pure stereo purists, buyers with no HDMI needs, tight cabinets with poor airflow | A practical receiver for turntable and TV use, with a built-in phono stage that's good enough for many Audio-Technica and Fluance MM setups |
The full review
How the performs, point by point
The areas that decide whether this product fits your setup — each scored on its own.
Why trust this review
How we tested the
No spec-sheet guesswork. We live with the gear, measure it, and cross-check against real owner feedback.
Our review process
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1
Buy it ourselves
We purchase products through normal retail channels — never accept free units for review.
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2
Live with it
Every product spends weeks on our reference system in real listening sessions, not just bench tests.
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3
Measure & compare
We score across six axes and compare against rivals in the same price bracket.
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4
Cross-check owners
We read thousands of owner reviews and community threads to spot long-term issues.
Our editors' work has appeared in
Final thoughts
Should you buy the ?
I'd buy the AVR-S760H for a first serious living-room system, not for a shrine to two-channel purity. If you want one hub for a turntable, TV, and console, this Denon earns its keep.
If your plan is records only, with two speakers and no HDMI switching, save yourself the bulk and buy a stereo receiver or integrated amp instead. But if you want to spin records on Friday, watch a movie Saturday, and keep your console plugged in the whole time, this is the kind of practical buy that can save you from upgrading six months later.
✓ Buy it if
- Built-in phono input: Many turntables plug straight in, so you don't need a separate phono preamp. If that part still feels fuzzy, start with what a phono preamp actually does. - HDMI 2.1 support: It works well with modern TVs and consoles, including 4K/120Hz sources like PS5 and Xbox Series X. - 7.2 channels: You can start with 2.0 or 2.1, then add a center speaker, surrounds, or Atmos later. - Audyssey MultEQ: In real rooms, it can tame boom and glare better than many first-time buyers expect. - Easy streaming: HEOS, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi make casual listening simple.
- Strong value: If you need music and theater features, this is cheaper and cleaner than stacking separate boxes.
✕ Skip it if
- Larger than many buyers expect: Check cabinet depth, rear cable clearance, and ventilation before you buy.
- Some features may go unused: If you'll stay 2.0 forever, you're paying for surround features you may never touch.
- Phono stage is good, not special: A better external phono preamp can still beat it.
- Setup takes more work: Menus, speaker assignment, HDMI settings, and room correction add a learning curve.
- Not ideal for music-first rooms: A stereo receiver or integrated amp can be the better fit for dedicated vinyl listening.
- Supports 8K video
- Excellent audio formats
- Voice control with Alexa
- Multi-room music streaming
- Seamless gaming experience
- Setup may be complex for beginners
- Limited HDMI ports for some users
Still wondering?
— your questions
It's best for mixed-use systems. If you want one receiver for a turntable, TV, streaming apps, and a game console, this Denon is a very good fit.
Yes. It has a built-in phono input for moving magnet cartridges, so many common turntables from Audio-Technica and Fluance can connect directly without a separate phono preamp.
Yes, if you also need TV audio, HDMI switching, or future surround expansion. The value comes from consolidation, one box instead of a stereo amp plus extra switching headaches.
I'd call it moderate, not difficult. The setup assistant does a lot of the heavy lifting, and Audyssey MultEQ is worth running even if you're impatient.
Usually, no. If your turntable uses a moving magnet cartridge, you can often plug it straight into the phono input and start listening.
The Denon is the best mixed-use balance of the three for vinyl-plus-TV buyers. It gives you the phono input and modern HDMI features in one chassis.