What is an AV receiver?

For most people, the AV receiver is the heart of their home theater—a one-box solution that powers speakers, switches inputs, and decodes surround formats. But for audiophiles, it’s often a compromise. So what exactly is an AV receiver, how does it work, and where does it fall short when it comes to music? Today, we’ll take a closer look at these all-in-one units—and why a dedicated two-channel system still holds the edge for serious listening. The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to ...