Thanks
Your alternative solution gives some hope.
1) But how about 4k streaming and Satellite connections like TataSky?
2) Currently I am using Onkyo 606, but not satisfied with overall Sound Quality. If I upgrade to Onkyo 838, will it make day and night difference?
OR is only a more power with almost similar sound signature.?
3) I am getting deal on Pioneer LX58 (around 80k) & LX87 (around 115k) both don't support HDPC 2.2, is it worth considering over Onkyo 838?
Have not used Pioneer so cannot say.
Ditto for Onkyo 838, but I'm very much satisfied with my Onkyo 616 and I also have an older Onkyo HTIB that I cannot find any fault with. Unless tested with the same equipment and in the same environment (your home with your existing equipment) its hard to even guess how much of a difference the upgrade will make. Best option is to ask for home demo and then make a call based on that.
Coming to 4K, way too much misinformation from what I see. Yes, HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 are a must, but its only from the perspective of Hollywood and primarily Blu-ray. To my knowledge it has not been implemented yet as I understand folks are watching cricket in 4K and I did see Marco Polo in 4K a while back on Netflix.
However, this is what you need to consider when buying equipment. Does it have HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2., and HEVC? All the TVs from 2014 onwards have them so as long as the set top box is compliant you will have no issues watching 4K content on your TV. This also is true for Netflix and other streaming content.
The only issue is for Blu-rays (and the 4K Blu-ray standard has not even come into existence yet). If you plan to buy a lot of 4K Blu-ray discs then HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2., and HEVC becomes a must for the AVR and the player and the entire chain. If you don't plan to buy 4K Blu-rays and plan to use your existing 1080p Blu-ray collection or even DVDs then you don't need equipment supporting HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2., and HEVC. Only a TV supporting HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2., and HEVC is required for streaming content and as I said all TVs from 2014 onwards have support for HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2., and HEVC.
Myself, I buy a lot of Blu-rays and will definitely be replacing a good chunk of my movie collection with 4K Blu-rays so yes I will be going for equipment with HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2., and HEVC for the entire chain.
Folks on the other hand not planning to replace their movie collection with 4K Blu-ray (availability itself will be a huge factor as so many of my favorite movies are only on DVD and not on Blu-ray so I don't hold much hope for them being available in 4K Blu-ray) don't need equipment with HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2., and HEVC. Only a 4K TV with HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2., and HEVC support is necessary for online streaming and that's far off on the horizon too from what I see. I've been holding off on PS4 till it comes with a 4K player and from what I see, I'll be waiting a while. Nothing else supports 4K playback at the moment, most of my streaming media and equipment (PS3, Roku, BDP, TV, HTPC) are 1080p. I've only seen Marco Polo in 4K and plan to watch Daredevil in 4K. That's the extent of 4K availability right now. Some shows on Amazon, but they are charged per season or per episode so not exactly feasible for streaming even for Amazon Prime customers like me.
Need some more advice on this.
Any expert advice is highly appreciated.
Those who have used or auditioned them. Please help me to decide.
No experts here... only enthusiasts.