First off, one of my passions is photography.  It is the thing that allows me to capture memories while helping me take a renewed look at my surroundings.  The Meural isn’t like any photo frame I have had, to say the least.  I have had the kind that you load up photos via an SD card slot, but the Meural connected easily to my network and allowed me to put my photos in a more prominent spot with ease using an iPhone.  

For full disclosure, I received this for free (though, I pay taxes on it) in exchange for a review (for Amazon) and I may get paid if you click and buy from Amazon links. ​

We decided to put the Meural on the mantle over the fireplace in landscape orientation (it has a stand that can be oriented in landscape or portrait).  It makes quite the impression!  Of course, I have to hide the cord to the outlet as best as I can.  I wish they had used a regular plug at the end because the cable isn’t long enough to take the heavy plug to the ground and it is pretty ugly hanging in midair, so the solution I have come up with is to wind up the cable behind the frame while running a longer extension cable from the power to the back of the frame.  Not a big deal, but a much longer cable would have been much appreciated.  

That being said, I have tried many of the different options in the app.   I have uploaded 84 photos and two videos without much hassle.  I have an Orbi Network in the house that is pretty fast, so adding photos to a playlist and sending them to the canvas has been pretty easy and fairly quick.   It does show the photos in my folder by organizing them for view by when they were taken, but sometimes that makes it easier to find photos, so it has it’s up and downside.

The frame gives you a lot of options. You can only show photos with the same orientation as the frame or let it show everything with bars on the side, when necessary (we use “contain”, which I think works best if you have photos with different orientations).  They let you chose white, gray, or black for the side bars.   I see some light bleeding in on the black, which is typical of LCD frames, but if that annoys you, white and gray are good substitutes.   We have it on gray for now, but will probably change it periodically.  The white looks great, too, if you want to give it some “pop”. 


The other very cool feature is that you can set it to go off when the room is dark.  That means it will put the frame in standby for the night without having to turn it off manually.   Heck, I have mine setup so that I can tell Alexa to “turn off Canvas” or “turn on Canvas” by voice, so that is an option, as well.

While I am not using the art they have available, the samplers they provided are very nice and they look spectacular on the frame.  I would guess that some people will find it useful to pay more and join their club to get discounts on more classic artwork. 

The one feature that takes some time to master is the gestures.  I have the best luck when I use the back of my hand slightly above or to the side of the frame.   It is less hit and miss now than when I first got it.

I could go on and on, but the thing I mainly want to say is that photos look amazing on it.  I found the app easy enough to use and I love the ability to load up short videos alongside my photos!!   While the app may take a bit of time to get used to, the gestures are a little awkward, and the cable is too short for my needs, I have to admit that I still love this thing!  In fact, I highly recommend it for photographers that want to showcase their photos/short videos, as long as they can live with the issues I mentioned.

To end the year, I have a big office update.  I purchased an Uplift Standing desk, which means I get a chance to look at my wiring again and take a renewed look at what I have in the area. 
​
Why Change Desks?

I have been using my desk more in 2020 than in all the years I have had the house.  I spend every single workday with it.  As a result, I have had issues I never would have known about.  First off, my current desk is just too short for me.  I am 6’5, so it isn’t a surprise.  I ignored it when I would only be working on it for a few hours a week (or less), but when you spend over 40 hours a week with it, it cannot be ignored. 

My desk at the company’s office is one of those old hand crank models.  It is too short at its highest point to use for standing, but I like being able to put the desk at the proper height when sitting.  I guess it is the inspiration for my new desk.

Why Uplift?
I am sure I would have been happy with several other options, but I went with them because they were giving away a lot of stuff with the purchase over the holidays and I had a $75 off coupon.  I guess it is kind of a coin flip, but there are things that I can add down the road that seemed to set it apart.

How does it fit in the space? 

It is more narrow than my current desk.   That is actually a good thing because I have to pull it away from the wall a bit so that when I raise it up, it doesn’t hit my wall mounted TV.    The things I have on that extra 10 inches or so space on the current desk can easily be moved.  The USB BluRay drive should probably go in a drawer since it gets so little use.   Since, I will be sitting a little closer to the monitor, I may add an arm mount if it feels too close.  That would allow me to move it back to the wall when I am sitting and pull it forward when standing.   I will wait and see just how everything feels to be sure before I try making more changes.  

I also have to move the SACD triangle rack I have on the wall.  I may move it up higher or just move the SACDS to a "CD Wallet" and throw out the cases...like I have already done to most of my CDs.  Not sure yet.  I will have to see how high it needs to be mounted first, but I can already tell it will be in the way.

Accessories

I got a few accessories to hold me over for now (will have a review of those things once I have everything setup).  However, I am interested in their rolling “under desk” cabinet, but may get that down the road or try to find something similar that costs less.   I have a closet door that needs to be opened on occasion to the left of the desk, so I would like to be able to roll the cabinet into that area when the door is closed and roll it under the desk when I need to open the door.   This will give me more space for my legs most of the time.  I have a mesh drawer system under the desk now and it has gotten beat up and the drawers are bent and hard to open, so something in better shape will need to be added at some point.  

A couple notes about one accessory

The one thing that I am really looking forward to is the castor wheels.   I can’t tell you what a pain it is to get behind the current desk when I change something out. When I need to remove something, half the time, I just unplug that thing from above the desk and just leave the power brick plugged in until I can get behind it again.  Cord management becomes a nightmare…. I did that over a weekend once, but failed to realize that tying everything up and pushing the desk back to the wall makes even the slightest changes a complete nightmare.   With the wheels, I can just unplug it from the wall and pull it out into the room.  So much better!   The wheels also make the desk taller, which is another major upside!

To Wrap Up

These are just a few notes until I can get everything up and running.   It is a huge endeavor because of all the cables and wires I have running behind the desk.   I know that all the work it will cause will be worth it, though.  I will post an update when it is all wrapped up!

Below is one of the last pics of the setup.  However, I will try to see if I have one since I added the Tivoo Max.  Not sure if I have one, so this may be it...

I started using several apps and services  a lot more this year with home confinement  being the theme for 2020.  Below are some of my favs:

1. Audirvana - this has been one of my most used apps this year. It is audio app that runs on my Mac 24/7.  It pulled in my library like iTunes did, but also has a plug in for the excellent audio app Qobuz.   Their iOS App is a treat to use and allows you to send lossless audio to any DLNA device.. and I have a lot of those around since DLNA/UPNP has been around forever.
2. Disney+ - I was one of those people that saw very few Marvel movies at the theater, so we have had a lot of fun watching some of them this last year.  Of course, “baby Yoda”, National Geographic, etc... have made the comparatively inexpensive service a must have!
   
3. Butcherbox - this service has been amazing.  Delicious, high quality, meat delivered to the door once a month.  If you haven’t checked them out,  and you aren’t a vegetarian, it is worth it and makes you feel a little less guilty about eating meat.  I just have them send me a mix of pork, chicken, and beef, but you can customize it more to your liking.
   
4. AppleOne - this came along at the end of the year, but it is $30 a month and gives you access to most (all?) of Apple’s services.  I was paying Apple $30 a month for 3 services already, so this was icing on the cake.
   
5. DoorDash - I have always thought it would be great to have a donut delivery service available.  Who really wants to get out in the morning?  This makes that and a whole lot more possible!   I pay a monthly fee to keep the charges down, but we use it at least once a week for dinner and it has been so convenient while giving us access to the food of our favorite restaurants.
   
6. Grocery delivery - I probably use Kroger the most, but have also ordered from Aldi and Whole Foods.  Just awesome to pick out everything without trying to locate it in the store and then have it delivered inside a window I decide.   Heck, I might continue using it when the pandemic is over.
   
7. Amazon Prime - This has really been worth having this year to have Amazon deliver stuff to the house and also give me access to shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, which always cheers me up.
   
8. Youtube - I bought a subscription to Youtube a while back to skip the pre-roll adds.  It was part of my cutting CableTV.   This has been great to have while spending time at home.  
   
9. Hulu - I just added this when they promoted a fee of $2 a month.   Still don’t like commercials, but it has a lot of shows, so we will see how long I hold onto it.  I usually pick up the iPad and have it available while they are running ads.
   
10. Qobuz - I mentioned this is the first entry, but this has given us fantastic sound quality in every room of the house using Audirvana.  I also have a headphone setup that has Chromecast, so I use the app directly, as well.

Hopefully, I won't be home as much in 2021, but I am sure I will use all of these apps/services in the future. 

First off, the Angels Horn turntable came packaged nicely and it was in perfect condition out of the box.   I went through their setup process in about 10 minutes and I was up and running.  The “mahogany” finish is both beautiful and unique. As a side note, I also bought a cheap Stylus Force Scale to make sure it was setup properly.

For full disclosure, I received this for free (though, I pay taxes on it) in exchange for a review (for Amazon) and I may get paid if you click and buy from Amazon links. ​

After setting it up, I put on a record and it sounded okay using their internal preamp.  However, in my case, I found that it sounded more lively if I changed it to “line out” and went into the phono input on my Denon X4200.   It Is great that you get both options at this price point.

Secondly, I found the Bluetooth to be a bit unwieldy in its execution.  It connected automatically to a Tivoo Max Bluetooth speaker I have in the room.  Apparently, it just connects to whatever it is closest to (that will accept it).   However, I got a lot more static in this setup than I have heard using an iPhone with this same speaker.   I disconnected it and tried to connect to my Jabra wireless earbuds and it never connected.   The Jabra earbuds kept telling me to choose the earbuds from the Bluetooth settings in my device, which isn’t possible with the turntable. 

This could be an issue with just this particular pair of wireless earbuds, but I couldn’t figure out a way to get them connected.  I did get it to connect to a Bluetooth speaker in the room by sitting that speaker on top of the turntable and putting it in discovery mode.   It did not have any static and it sounded okay as I moved it across the room.   In other words, this was all hit and miss for me.   I would recommend having the speaker as close as possible to the turntable for the initial pairing, though.

Personally, I don’t plan to ever use this turntable with Bluetooth, so I moved onto the USB.   For my room, the cable they provided is too short to reach my computer.  Therefore, I used a USB extension cord with it.   I connected it to my Mac and had a hard time figuring out where it was, but discovered it shows up as “USB Microphone”.  I also tested it with a PC and it also showed up with the “USB Microphone” name.   I downloaded a copy of Audicity and tested recording (on both computers).  It actually sounded great on both.  I don’t know how often I will use this, but I have some albums that are not in a digital format that would be great to be able to play when I am away from the turntable.    I could see some people getting a lot of use from this handy feature.

All in all, this turntable looks amazing, sounds good, has a preamp (that can be bypassed), and has the USB recording feature that could come in handy.  I found it to be very easy to setup, though it isn’t as plug and play as some cheaper “suitcase” record players.  The Bluetooth feature is hit and miss, so I would not recommend it for this feature unless you have some flexibility in devices you can try it with.   I also tested it with my Echo Spot and it worked, but had static (though, they are probably about 6 feet apart and the turntable seems to pair more reliably if you have the speaker very close to the turntable).  I should also mention that I have a ton of electronics near it in this room...multiple computers, multiple displays, a receiver, etc.. that could be causing interference.

That being said, I really like having this in my office while I am working from home.  I have used it more than streaming, lately.  It is so enjoyable pulling out records I haven't heard since childhood.  I guess it has the nostalgia factor and the current tech to make it useful and fun!

Additional info....  This company has come under scrutiny in one of the only Youtube videos with its name in the title.  While many of the issues addressed in the video appear to be fixed by the company, or no longer apply, it still gives me some pause giving it an unconditional recommendation.   Personally, I would buy the additional three year, third party insurance (when I last checked it was 21.99.. but that can always change) when buying from Amazon to make sure I was covered, but that is up to the individual to decide.  In other words, I am only reviewing the turntable and not the company that sells it in my above review.  

As in past years (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011), I am putting together a new list of my top tech.  The list contains my favorite things from the last year, even if they were available in prior years.  By "tech" I am basically including any new toys, apps, etc... that I find cool and/or useful. 

Note:  I may get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page.  Also, I get some products for free to review from Amazon (though, I do have to pay taxes on them).

Denon X3700H Receiver - This is an amazing receiver, especially at the price.  It has very good measurements, sounds fantastic using my pair of Emotiva amps in Denon’s special “ preamp” mode, has Alexa and Siri capabilities, and is 8k ready!  A receiver ready for the future! I discuss it in more detail here.

Orei Ethernet to HDMI - this is probably going to have limited appeal for many readers, but it was a real game changer around here.   What it does is connect to HDMI out on a receiver and allow you to send that signal to other parts of the home via Ethernet, which is much is easier to route through walls than HDMI.   This allowed me to easily connect a projector in my living room.  I still need an electric projector screen to automate it all, but we have watched more movies on the 100 inch screen this year than all the years combined that I have had a projector available. 

Viltrox 85mm -  I was a little skeptical when I got the opportunity to review this lens.  It was much cheaper than Sony lenses and I had never heard of the company.   However, I could not have been happier with the results.  Below are a couple pics I took with it, just for example.

iPhone 12 Pro Max - I updated from a 7 plus ( which I loved) and this seems to be the phone with the most future proofing.  The screen, cameras, and speed are amazing.   I financed it for 30 months to keep my payments down, so it had to have some future proofing to make it worthwhile.  Let’s see how I feel in two years! Lol. Would normally be my product if the year with the major upgrade from my old iPhone, but the x3700 was compelling enough to take the top spot, especially with us spending so much time using the home theater in this Covid wrecked environment.

Weber gas grill S315- my old Weber gas grill fell apart after many years of use.   We updated to a new version of the classic and it works great.  While Weber isn’t the cheapest brand, it is a brand I trust to get great results and last for years. 

TiVoo Max - I got the opportunity to review this Bluetooth speaker, pixel art, clock and it definitely reminded me of something in my youth.  Maybe the old pac man games or playing Lite Bright with friends.  Anyway, it is so fun to use, the speaker is very good for what it is, and it even works great as a clock.   It is just a really fun, but purposeful, toy.

Qobuz -  I still use Apple Music for convenience, but when the price of hi-resolution and lossless audio came down, I got on board (thanks to Amazon for shaking up this industry).   Since I am home so often, it is nice to use this service with its extraordinary sound quality.    I have mentioned Tidal on here before, but they use an unnecessary MQA format rather than just sending audio over an uncompressed file.  The plug in for Audirvana has been a dream to use, as well.

Note:  I may get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.  Also, I get some products for free to review from Amazon (though, I do have to pay taxes on them).

Marantz TT15 - while it should be obvious that I love music, I don’t listen to a ton of vinyl.  Maybe that was my budget turntable’s fault?  Who knows, but my current turntable stopped working, so I figured it was time for an upgrade.   I debated a long time about how much to spend, but I figured this will be my last turntable, so I splurged a bit on it.   This seems to be the best combination of engineering, bank for the buck, and good looks.  All in all, it makes for a very nice setup.  I paired it with a nicely engineered Cambridge Phono Amp. 

Of course, I had a little fun with it by placing an LED under the acrylic platter.  Is there anything better than listening to Kind of Blue in a room where the only light is coming from the Bluely lit turntable?  LOL 

Brewista Kettle -  another elegant kitchen device that is both purposeful and beautiful.  We love having a cup of tea after dinner and this is quick to heat up water with one button push.  It feels elegant in the hand and it’s spout makes it easy to pour.

Massage Gun Deep Tissue Percussion 20  - I seem to be sitting longer and working more now that I currently don’t have the commute to work.  As a result, muscle tightness has started to be an issue.   This multi-speed device with multiple massaging head options can help loosen up the tightest muscles.

Panasonic 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player with HDR10 - when you start using a faux K projector with HDR, you really want to have some way of taking advantage of that quality.   This machine does that in spades without costing a fortune.  It does have streaming built in for some services, but I use it only for playing back discs....which is where it excels.

Jabra Elite 75t Earbuds -  I got a lot of "on-the-go" stuff this year (the Lacie Rugged SSD, small mechanical keyboards, and other stuff for my iPad), but this is the only device I used enough to put it on the list.   These are truly wireless, sound spacious, EQ can be changed with the app, and they can be used with two devices without fiddling with settings.   Very nice set of earbuds I have used most of the year.   I will link the version I have, but there is a new version out that looks interesting, as well.

So, another year (is almost) behind us (as of this writing).  I am looking forward to 2021 with the vaccines being on the market and hopefully returning to normal life...though, I much prefer working from home.  

I think when we can get out, more money will go toward outside the home entertainment since cabin fever has take over.   There are a few things I already have coming before the end of the year that I plan on reviewing, but if they are worthy, they will go on the 2021 list.  Have a great new year!
​

After having the Denon X4200H in my setup for a few years, I decided to upgrade.  There were a few reasons to do it now, though I could've held off for a while if I need to.  Below is my reasoning for upgrading now and why I chose the X3700H over other options on the market.  Also, I have included a quick run down of my impressions, so far.


Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.  However, I did buy this unit myself for my home system.  

​I will say that Amazon's zero percent financing for the next year played into my decision to buy it from them, though.   

Why update now?  In a word, "2020".   With being home this year more than anytime in my life, I have been using my system more than ever for entertainment.   Denon has added some new features that I thought would enhance the experience, so I decided to do it now rather than later.

Secondly, I have a cheap Onkyo receiver in my home office that was completely adequate until I started spending 8+ hours a day in there.   I wanted an upgrade for this setup, too.  Being able to move my Denon X4200H into the room gives me the opportunity for  better sound quality and more HDMI outputs that should prove to be very useful, especially with it being able to use zone 2 for a separate signal from the same receiver.  This means I can listen to music from my Mac using one output, while having my Dell computer feeding my monitor with zone 2 (as one example).   It also has a 3rd HDMI that mirrors the main HDMI out, so I can send that to my Vizio TV that sits above my main monitor.    (Note: still deciding on the exact configuration I want to use because there are a lot of options I could go with)

Thirdly, with me staying home, I have been spending less money on entertainment.   I feel like having some of my entertainment budget going towards a nice home theater upgrade is money well spent!  

This was a pretty easy decision, though I did have to do a bit of research to confirm my decision.   First off, I am a big Denon fan.  I have had several of their receivers over the years and I don't think anyone provides the same bang for buck when doing direct comparisons.

I did consider the much more expensive NAD T778 receiver.  The LCD screen on this unit is gorgeous.  However, I found it lacking in a lot of areas.  It only has 2 HDMI outs, but one is maxed at 1080p.  This is kind of crazy at this price point.  I did consider an outboard splitter, but the bigger issue was performance:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/nad-t778-audio-video-receiver-avr-review.15643/

"NAD gets a lot of things right with T778 with high efficiency and cool running amplifiers, large beautiful display, excellent cooling if needed and good DAC performance (for an AVR). Alas, there just isn't enough attention to detail with respect to noise, bugs, input digitization, etc. Given all of this, I give up and let you all decide if it fits for your purpose. I hope NAD takes this platform and this data and makes a clean up pass for next year to build a truly superior product. As it is, it doesn't get there."

At a lower price point, some of this may have been acceptable, but at nearly $3000, I couldn't justify it.

The X3700H, on the other hand, is $1199.  I could buy 2 for less than the NAD.   However, the performance, at least in the review below, trumps that of the NAD:

"What a sigh of relief that the Denon AVR-X3700H performns on par with the later year mode, 3600H. The other "2020 year" Denon AVRs we have tested have had worse performance, leaving the 3600H as the best performing AVR until now. So buy the 3700H with peace of mind knowing that it performs quite well (for an AVR). Of course be mindful of what other features the units above it have which you may want, top of which is more power.

I am happy to add Denon AVR-X3700H to my recommended list."

At the end of this article, I will have the entire feature list, which is impressive, but I wanted to talk about the few features that swayed me in the direction of upgrading:

8K capabilities:

This is one of the first AVRs with an 8k output.  There is only one 8k input, but this works for me because I can't see me adding more than one 8k device down the road.   I mainly use the AppleTV for everything, so if it gets updated to 8K, I could see that as being my only 8k device for a long while.   Of course, this is just future proofing, but it is nice to have that extra comfort when you upgrade.  The NAD will, in theory, have modules come out to upgrade their receiver with new features (at a cost) down the road.   I wonder what it will cost to add an 8k input and output?   I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if I could buy another X3700H (or whatever is available then) for the same money.  

Pre-amp mode

This is a new feature that "detaches" the amps when using an external amplifier.   I have 2 Emotiva Monoblocks, so getting a cleaner signal (which is how this would affect the sound) was very enticing.   The X3700H doesn't have the flexibility in how to assign the pre-outs as the more expensive models, but with my 5.1 setup, I just chose the 11.1 option, let it configure for 11.1 channels and then assigned the pre-outs to the front two channels.  It seems to work since I looked in the "amp assign" and it shows the front two channels as "PRE".  However, under the Speaker configurations it shows that the surround back and top front speakers as "none".   This gives me the ideal setup for my system.   However, for those that want to have a setup for multichannel and a completely separate setting for 2 channel, that is also possible with the 2 Speaker Presets.   You can then easily switch back and forth with one of the 4 Quick Select buttons on the remote.  There are 4 Quick select buttons, so you have a bit of flexibility with other settings, as well.

Airplay 2 

I have been using Airplay 2 since it first came to market.   While I mainly listen to music on my main system using a Mac Mini running Audirvana and Qobuz, I also have an Apple Music account for a few reasons.   In this case, I can use the HomePod that sits between my living room and kitchen to control what is playing on my main system.  Before, I had to start up my receiver and go to the AppleTV input.  Now, telling the HomePod to "Play Tom Petty in Living Room" will start up the receiver and start to play.  No remote needed and no display needs to be on.   I can even control the volume by voice without picking up the remote.  

There is an issue with turning off the receiver when I am done.   From what I can tell, the HomePod doesn't have this capability.   However, Alexa can turn off and on the receiver, so I can go that route since I have a Dot in the same space.   (more about that below)

Of course, Airplay 2 gives me the ability to play music all over the house, as well.  It is nice to have it built in to the receiver!  

Alexa control

While I mainly use Airplay, I can play music using the Amazon Dot using the Amazon service, as well.   I don't subscribe to Amazon Music, but it will play music from the thousands of files I uploaded years ago or using their free service to play music.    I won't use this a lot, but I will use the feature that will turn off the receiver when I am finished using Airplay 2.   It doesn't look like all skills are available when sending the receiver music from the Dot.  If I tell it to send a song from Apple Music or SiriusXM, it tells me they "aren't support by this device."  Kind of a bummer if I didn't have a HomePod or Airplay 2.

UPNP

While I currently have my Mac mini directly connected via a Topping DAC feeding it Coax, I also require UPNP for when my 2010 Mac eventually burns out or when I move the receiver to another room.   The sound quality is fantastic and after about an hour of listening to hi resolution files (up to 24/192), I never had an issue with sound dropping or any other audible issues.  

There is an issue with it showing "unknown" on some songs rather than showing the artist and song title.  The album art does show up on the display and some songs do show the title, so I am not sure if this is an issue with the Denon or Audirvana, but worth mentioning.   I mainly use the iOS app for controlling music, so not a big deal for me, but there is some flaw here.

Sound formats

Since I currently only have 5.1 in the room, I am also interested in some of their virtualization settings for Atmos.  However, I haven't had a chance to test those out yet.  Of course, I could decide to put some speakers in the ceiling down the road for real Atmos, so the fact that this receiver supports so many formats, I don't see me needing much more in the next few years.

More Video Capabilities

While I mentioned 8k for future use, the Denon also has 4K/120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG. 3D, and BT.2020 pass through.    It is simply a beast for both audio and video.

Other features I could use down the road

This receiver is Roon Ready.  If you are not familiar with Roon, I would just say it has the best use of metadata that I have run across in an app.  The app also has wiki reviews, liner notes, and plenty of other information built in.   The downside for me is the lack of DLNA features and the price (which is roughly $99 a year).   Without DLNA, most of the components I currently own wouldn't work unless I used Airplay (which is capped at 16/44.1).   There is a chance that I would subscribe if they added DLNA or just lowered the price significantly.   Not sure it will happen, but very happy to see this as an option.

Two sub outs.  If I ever decide to add another sub, I am covered.

Phono input -  If my Belari Phono stage ever burns out, I can just plug my Project Debut directly into the receiver.  Also, for future proofing down the road.  Not sure if it will sound as good, but nice to have the feature.

So far, I am extremely happy with this purchase.   The sound quality is amazing and the features are off the charts.  I am really surprised that Denon can offer such a feature packed receiver, with very good measurements, at this price point.   I would suggest it is the only thing near this price point with this combination of features.   Also, being able to move my old receiver into my office was a huge upside to the upgrade.

Upsides
Preamp mode
11.1 channels of processing
8k 
3 HDMI outs
7 HDMI inputs
Very good measurements
HDR/3D etc
Virtualization for those with a limited number of speakers
2 Speaker Presets (nice for those that want to have multichannel and stereo set up differently)
PRICE!!
Still has some component inputs for those that still have a Wii :)

Downsides
 They removed the HDMI input on the front
The UPNP weirdness with the song titles
Would love an LED like the NAD on future models

Power and processing:

• 9-channel amplifier
• 105 watts per channel into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD, with 2 channels driven
• Dolby® and DTS® surround sound decoding
  • Dolby Atmos® processing for use with in-ceiling or "height" speakers for more enveloping home theater sound
  • Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization and DTS Virtual:X® create three-dimensional effects without height speakers
• IMAX® Enhanced reproduces the full dynamic range of specially encoded IMAX soundtracks from compatible sources
• analog-to-HDMI video conversion
• upscales standard-definition video signals to HD and Ultra HD (up to 8K)
• Audyssey speaker calibration and system optimization includes:
  • MultEQ® XT32 auto setup and room calibration delivers balanced, dynamic sound with enhanced surround performance
  • Dynamic Volume anticipates loud sounds to keep volume levels even
  • Dynamic EQ improves dialogue, bass response, and surround channel levels at lower volumes
  • Sub EQ HT provides individual calibration for dual subwoofers, for even bass response throughout the room
  • Low Frequency Containment reduces the amount of bass that bleeds into other rooms
  • Audyssey MultEQ Editor app for further audio customization (paid app; not included)

Digital and streaming music options:

• built-in Wi-Fi for listening to music from a networked PC, free internet radio, and music services
• HEOS Built-in technology wirelessly connects compatible HEOS components for whole home audio
  • includes support for Pandora®, SiriusXM, and Spotify® (subscription required for some services)
  • free HEOS app offers easy Wi-Fi control, settings adjustments, and music selection and playback
  • works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home voice control assistants
• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone® or iPad® and ask Siri to play Apple Music®
  • supports multi-room audio with compatible wireless speakers
• built-in Bluetooth for wireless music listening with smartphones, tablets, and compatible computers
• Bluetooth transmission for sending audio from the receiver to Bluetooth-enabled headphones
  • play audio through Bluetooth headphones only, or through Bluetooth headphones and connected speakers simultaneously
• plays high-resolution digital music files via USB storage device or a networked computer (PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution; DSD up to 5.6 MHz)
• Denon's Compressed Audio Restorer improves sound quality of MP3s and other digital music files

Multi-room audio/video:

• dual-room/dual-source output
  • amp assign function lets you use surround back speaker outputs for front height, Zone 2, Front B, or bi-amping front speakers
  • using powered 2nd-room output allows 7.2-channel sound in main room
  • All Zone Stereo mode ensures that both zones stay in sync when playing the same source
  • All Zone TV Audio lets you play surround sound in your main room and downmixed stereo in your 2nd room
  • supports both analog and digital audio connections
  • HDMI dual-zone switching for watching video content from different sources in two zones simultaneously
  • Zone 2 compatible audio sources: HDMI audio, optical/coaxial digital inputs, analog audio inputs, AM/FM tuner, USB, Bluetooth, and HEOS music apps
  • cannot select different USB/Bluetooth/network sources for each zone

Connections:

• HDMI 2.1 audio/video switching: 7 in, 3 out
  • 1 input and 2 outputs support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video
  • all inputs and outputs support 4K/60Hz video
  • HDCP 2.3 technology ensures compatibility with Ultra HD sources and TVs
  • HDR-compatible for extended picture contrast and brightness with compatible TVs and HDR-encoded content
  • supports HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision™, and HLG
• gaming-optimized video processing technologies for a smooth, lag-free gaming experience
  • Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) reduce or eliminate lag and frame tearing
• supports ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
  • eARC receives uncompressed surround sound signals including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X via the HDMI connection with your compatible TV
• component video switching: 2 in, 1 out
• composite video switching: 3 in, 1 out
• digital audio inputs: 2 Toslink optical, 2 coaxial
• 5 analog stereo RCA audio inputs
• MM (moving magnet) phono input for connecting a turntable
• 11.2-channel preamp outputs
• two discrete line-level subwoofer outputs for more precise multi-subwoofer setups
• front-panel USB port for audio playback from USB flash drives
• Ethernet port for network connection
• outputs for 11 speakers (Front L/R, Center, Surround L/R, Surround Back L/R, Height1 L/R, Height2 L/R)
  • receiver can power a maximum of 9 channels at once
• RS-232C, remote (IR), and 12-volt trigger connections for use with optional third-party controller
• full-sized headphone jack

Seeing so many videos pop up in my Youtube lists with the Magic Keyboard left me wondering if I could put together a decent laptop-like experience with the iPad Pro.

Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.

I already had the old "Origami"  Smart Keyboard which consisted of a nice light cover for the front and back, a keyboard, and a stand for the iPad, so I already had a decent option for couch use.  Personally, I would go with this type of keyboard again if they made it.  Their current version of this keyboard still folds back, but it will not work as a stand....bummer.

Since the Magic Keyboard essentially doubles the weight of the iPad, I assume many are just keeping it on a desk and just popping the iPad off when they want to use it in tablet mode.  Apple doesn't really give you much choice.  For me, this would end up with the Keyboard being in storage near the kitchen table and I could just get it out when I want to use it on the kitchen table.

I think there are better, much cheaper options than going this route.   However, the only way to get the same functionality as the trackpad on the Magic Keyboard would be with a new Magic Trackpad or Magic Mouse.  The Magic Mouse is $79, so you really have to decide how often you plan to use this setup to see if it is actually worth this money.    At one time, I thought my old first gen Magic Mouse would work with it.  Apple decided to cripple it by not even allowing scrolling!  I have that feature with my Logitech Mouse!   Personally, I went with the Logitech MX Ergo Pro, which works with a scroll ball rather than moving the mouse along the table, so it can be used in small spaces.  Also, I keep it near my spot on the couch to use with my Mac Mini and I can switch to the iPad with a touch of a mouse button.  It works fine, but it is clunkier than using it with a mini or a laptop.

Of course, I could use the iPad Keyboard stand, but I have a few options that can fold down for travel.  For me, the one I use depends on the stability that I think I will need.  At home, I just use a lightweight stand that works with this iPad, but isn't the most stable.  If I need something stable, I have something like this and this.

I have multiple options for this, as well.  I have small Bluetooth keyboards, the magic keyboard, and a mechanical keyboard.

I have been using the mechanical keyboard since it can be plugged in or run off of the battery.  Also, I just prefer typing on it.  Of course, I didn't get one with the number keys, since I wanted this to be somewhat small for travel.  I also like the fact that this one has back-lit keys.   The only downside is that the keys are a bit thicker (which I like for typing) which means it takes up more space in a bag.   I have to see how much room I have for it before deciding which keyboard to use. 

However, the keyboard itself is a pleasure to type on, so I am very happy with the experience.   The keyboard also has function buttons, so you can change the back-lighting of the iPad, control volume, etc. without needing to touch the iPad or go into settings (you can't do this with the Magic Keyboard).

As a side note, I have it pictured with the cable since I can slowly charge it with the iPad, but it can also go without the cable since it works with Bluetooth.  I would just have to watch running down the battery.

For me, it is important to be able to listen to music while I work.   When I need to save room in the bag or just want to work quickly, I use the Jabra Elites 75t Earbuds.  I haver reviewed them here.  When I am going to be working a while, I go with a more complicated setup that pairs the Shure SRH940 headphones with an older Dragonfly DAC.  They work great together and sound fantastic. Note that some of the Amazon reviews complain that they "broke their 4th pair", but I haven't had issues with mine since I reviewed them in 2012.  That being said, I'm not rough on headphones.  I keep these near my spot on the couch and don't wear them out in the rain or elements.  I have different earbuds I use for those purposes (Beatsx or the Jabras that I mentioned above). 

With my version of the iPad, I need power if I am going to plug anything into it.  I have the Lighting to USB adapter with the two ports.  It allows USB to plugged into one port and power into the other.  On the road, I like having an Anker power supply.   If I am just plugging in one thing, I can just use a Plugable device that fools the iPad into thinking it is getting enough power.  It is nice for this setup since I can go without power if I need to.  

As you can see, I have put together a setup for my current iPad that gives me ultra portability with the Smart Keyboard case, but also gives me a great desktop experience when I am going to be sitting at a table for a while.  

For me, this is better than having a heavy case that goes with it everywhere.   The only thing I might add down the road is a Magic Mouse, but we will see if it makes sense when I get a 12.9 inch iPad late this year or sometime next year.  For now, I am pretty happy with this setup.   Even when, or if, I get that 12.9, I plan to keep this setup around for more portability.   They great part is that I can just as easily use this "desktop" setup with the new iPad as the old, even though they are different sizes.  It also helps with longevity when Apple eventually moved the pins or changes the design so they can sell you a new "Magic Keyboard" with your next iPad.   

Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.

Now that Apple has released the Magic Keyboard, I have seen a lot of videos and articles comparing the iPad with Magic Keyboard against the Laptop.   I thought I would talk about my preferences in this article.

I have loved the iPad since Steve Jobs introduced the original version.   ​For me, this was an answer to the tiny iPhone screens they had on the market at the time.  It was so nice to be able to actually run apps on something larger than the 4 inch screen!

The changes since the initial release have been huge.  We now have a "pencil", you can use it with a mouse and keyboard, and the screen resolution alone has improved dramatically.

For a long time, this was my " go to" device in the home.  However, that award now goes to my iPhone 7 Plus.   At one time, I really hated using that small screened device, so the iPad was about all I would carry around the house at the time.  Many of those roles have switched to the iPhone.   However, that doesn't mean it isn't still the second most used device during my free time.  I still like the larger screen for a lot of the things I do.. Youtube, News+, surfing the web, etc.

As with the Original iPad, there are a lot of people that can use this as their main computer.  The device has always been great for those focused on consuming media, answering emails, and other small tasks.  However, the new changes have definitely opened it up to a larger audience.

There is no doubt that creating a case with a very nice, back-lit, keyboard with a built in trackpad has taken this device to a new level.   You can now get many of the same benefits on the go that you get from a laptop.   However, I have written about my issues with this setup in another article, but the main issue is the weight and the fact that if you want to use it in tablet mode, you have to completely remove it from the case, which will give you another item to deal with.  

I have been messing around with a small mechanical keyboard combined with a Logitech Ergo mouse for some of my Notes and Safari usage.  I have them stored near the kitchen table to make it easy to setup when I want to use it this way.  However, I really just couldn't get by with only this setup.  I need a computer with a more desktop oriented operating system.

While they both have advantages, there are issues with the iPad that I don't have with my MBP (or any laptop).   Before I discuss the OS, the MBP can be plugged into multiple monitors and run at full resolution.  You can't do that with an iPad (with only a few exceptions).  This makes it less useful for real work right out of the gate.  Also, my MBP has 4 thunderbolt ports and a headphone port.  The iPad, even with the Magic Keyboard, only has two ports and one of them is only for power.

The OS though, is a bigger obstacle.  I use Photoshop and Lightroom as my main photo editors and for organizing my catalogs.   Unfortunately, the iPad versions are dumbed down, eat up tons of bandwidth, and start costing more the minute you go over your limited allotted space.   I tried going this route with Lightroom, but I was over 600GB in no time.  Also, I just don't think it is practical to store every file in the web until you have time to review and delete.   It is nice to have, no doubt, but until these programs have the same capabilities and some way to save to a network drive instead of the cloud, it just isn't practical.   Also, I have several TBs of files on hard drives that would need to be moved to a network drive if I didn't have a computer accessing them.  

​Even Apple doesn't have their pro software on the iPad.  No Final Cut and no Logic Pro.  Hard to even make the argument that this is a Pro device from Apple's perceptive. 

Obviously, there are things that still make the iPad very appealing to someone that needs a laptop or a desktop computer.    There is the Pencil , the tablet apps, and the form factor.  While I use  my Mac Mini more than any computer right now (while working from home), when I do use the MBP, that 15 inch screen is so nice to have when I need to use Excel or Photoshop.  My 9.7 inch iPad feels tiny in comparison.  I am considering the 12.9 inch to get that extra real estate, but I still don't consider this a real computer replacement (for my needs) because of the current OS.

Well, if you are getting ready to buy your first computer, then I guess you need to ask this question and then it depends on how you plan to use it.  Personally, I already have multiple computers and don't need to update them all that often. 

For me, the iPad is the perfect "in between" device.  Its larger screen give me a better experience than the iPhone with most apps and its tablet form factor means I will use it more often than a laptop for consuming media.   It is close to being a laptop replacement, but for my needs, it still comes up a bit short as an "only" device.   Of course, right now, I could get by without the laptop and just have a desktop and the iPad.  However, if it came down to one device...an iPad or a MBP, I would still have to pick the MBP.   I would live with my iPhone for reading on the couch.

Apple appears to be listening to those that are always questioning whether it will ever completely replace a laptop.  I guess they have to do something to justify a user upgrade, so this may just be a natural evolution.   Unlike the iPhone, the better camera marketing pitch just isn't as important on a device you don't always have on you.  

Personally, I am happy with the OS updates, but the only reason I am thinking of another iPad is to get that extra screen size for using with "Sidecar" (their screen sharing app) or Photoshop...if they ever come out with the full version on the iPad.   Until then, I will happily continue to use this as my favorite "in between" device that makes the user experience a lot better with certain apps.   For me, that is enough to justify updating next time around, but they will really need to make some major changes for me to upgrade again anytime soon after that.

The new Apple Keyboard has been met with a lot of praise from the Apple Fans out there.  It definitely makes your iPad more like a laptop, so why do I have no interest?

Is it just me or have others grown tired of Apple using the word "Magic"?  I will save that rant for another day, but I have been very interested in the 12.9 iPad for a while and this year may be the year I pull the trigger.  I am waiting for the end of the year to see if they come out with a new iPad (as rumored) and then decide if I want a new or a used version.  In any event, unless this keyboard can pull a rabbit out of a hat, I fail to see what makes it so magical.

I should mention that I am using the 9.7 iPad Pro with the Smart Keyboard for a few years now.  I love it, but would love to have a larger screen with Lightroom, Photoshop, and Sidecar all being able to take advantage of that space   However, this keyboard is really not something I would want and here are the main reasons:

1.  Too Expensive - Maybe this this can be attributed to most Apple products, but for a 12.9 version, the price is $349.  That just seems crazy to me for what you get.

2.  The viewing angle - I realize that they are dealing with physics and a heavy display means that you can't tilt it back very far without tipping.  However, I am 6'5 and this just doesn't tilt back enough for my typical needs.

3. Lack of a way to fold the cover back - The Smart Keyboard for that initial 9.7 inch took into account that people don't want to remove the cover every time they want to use the iPad in tablet mode.  It is much more convenient to fold it back when not using the manual keyboard.  Of course, the old Smart Keyboard even has a way to stand it up with the Keyboard folded back and out of the way.  I don't think any of their iPad keyboards have this feature anymore.  As a result, if you take the iPad off the Magic Keyboard, you now have two things to deal with.   I realize some will just keep the Keyboard parked on a desk, however, I don 't have a need to use the iPad that way.  Also, now if I am laying on the couch reading and then decide I want to type something, I have to trackdown the keyboard.  With the Smart Keyboard it was always attached.

4. Heavy - Way too heavy.  With the Keyboard attached, the combo weighs about the same as a MBP 13 inch.   

(unfortunately, the configuration below is not available)

Better keyboard than the Smart Keyboard -  Yes, it is better to type on.
Back lit Keys - Nice to have back lit keys.
The power port built in - this is nice even though the port only does power.

Right now, I am toward the $199 Smart Keyboard Folio.   When I want to use it to type a lot, I can pair it with one of my many old Apple Keyboards (or even pair it with a mechanical keyboard..which I prefer) and an older Magic mouse or Logitech mouse.  I already have a few different tablet stands for it that allow for better viewing angles.  The thing is, it wouldn't be all that portable, but I would have the Smart Keyboard Folio to use for those type of situations.

For those that really want to ditch the laptop, this may still be the best way to do that.   I have a 2016, 15 inch MBP and it still works fine, so I am not on any track to get rid of it.  I still like that screen size for some on the go activities, and with the unlimited viewing angles, it is better for using on the couch/chair when I need to type a lot.   That being said, I spend a lot of time in front of my huge monitors in my office, so I use the laptop less and less all the time.  I just don't feel like I need to get rid of it or start switching how I do things because Apple came out with a better keyboard for the iPad.

That being said, if I was in the market right this minute for a new laptop, I think I would try to get by with the iPad and the Smart Keyboard Folio and just use the desktop for things that need that larger screen.  I do understand why people would like to just get by with an iPad, but this keyboard just doesn't do that for me due to the many issues I mentioned above.   

If Apple figures out a solution for the viewing angles and way to keep the keyboard attached in tablet mode (as an option), I would definitely be interested in it....of course, they would probably charge $500 for the "All New, Much, Much, More Magical, Magic Keyboard". 
​

Looking back, it was over 10 years ago when I bought a Marantz 2220B off of eBay.   I guess it is time to discuss it and how I have modernized the experience.

​Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.

I chose this particular receiver after researching for a while.  I wanted a warmer sound since a lot of what I was listening to was compressed audio files at the time.  However, I would be lying if I denied the fact that I really liked how it looked.  It is more understated than many of the receivers I was considering and I actually like the fact that it has just a few buttons and knobs.  The beautiful blue light was also a major selling point.  Whether we want to discuss it or not, many of us actually care what the equipment looks like.  

The Marantz has an AM/FM tuner,  20 watts per channel, and a frequency respond between 10Hz and 50 Hz.    It has 2 tape in and outs, an aux in, and a phono input.   

Just about every modern receiver has some sort of streaming built in.  That is typically Bluetooth, Airplay, DLNA, and possibly some third party music services.

However, when you buy a vintage receiver, you are stuck with only its tuner and maybe a few analog inputs.   However, those inputs are what make it easy to modernize.

It is easy to complain about the lack of streaming options, but that really isn’t a major shortfall.  Many people are streaming using third party devices anyway.  With analog inputs, you can add a third part streamer, a DAC, etc.

For my own use, I went with an all in one solution, but you can connect an Amazon Dot to one of the Aux inputs, add a Chomecast Audio device, an Airport Express, etc.  There are a bunch of streaming products that have analog out that make it plug and play.​​

I added a Yamaha WXC-50 (reviewed here) to my Marantz setup (as a side note, it also feeds a separate headphone amp).  This one device has added so many options without the need for a separate DAC.  

Airplay, DLNA, Bluetooth, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM (for now), Napster, Tidal, and Deezer.  If you are concerned about Hi Res audio, it can handle up to 24/192 files or DSD up to 5.6 MHz.    Via the preamp outputs, you can also control the volume of your vintage receiver.  I find this more convenient than getting up and changing the volume most of the time, but you can use the volume in the app or on the receiver.   If you prefer controlling volume via the knob on the receiver, you can use the aux output on the Yamaha rather than the preamp outs.

The Yamaha WXC-50 is also small and can be put on its side or placed horizontally in its normal stance.  I decided to stand it up on the side since it means it only takes 2 inches of shelf space.

Below is a more recent pic (the gray device to the right of the Marantz is the Yamaha):

I want to discuss this separately because this is a more compressed form of audio and if you can listen to Airplay or one of the many other ways to play lossless audio, I would go that route.

However, for me, Bluetooth is ultra-convenient.  Since the Yamaha has Bluetooth built in, I simply paired it with an Amazon Dot and can now play music without any effort at all.  Just say “Alexa connect to stereo” and it pairs to the Yamaha that feeds the Marantz.   I can do this from anywhere within earshot of the Dot, so it can be done when I am just cleaning up the living room or lounging without the need to fire up the main system.  

As I mentioned, it is easy to control what is playing, but that would depend on what you have access to.  I use Apple Music as my main source on the Amazon Dot.  This works great for me.  It is just like using the service with the HomePod.   That being said, I also like to access my own library and installing the Plex skill makes that easy to do.  You  have to tell Alexa something like “Ask Plex to play Bob Dylan” and it will start playing back via Bluetooth on my Marantz.  Of course, Plex requires a device to run the app continuously.  I run it on a Mac mini.

One of the amazing things about the Dot is the price for the performance.  I won’t go into the privacy issues, but I would definitely recommend researching that if it is a concern.  I buy so much from Amazon that it really didn’t bug me to have them in my living room, but I definitely prefer Apple’s take on privacy (though it hasn’t been perfect).  However, they don’t make anything similar device right now.  The HomePod does not have Aux or Bluetooth outputs.  You can use it with an Airplay 2 device, but the Yamaha uses Airplay 1.  You could pick up something like the Bluesound Note 2i if you don’t mind spending the extra bucks or try to locate a compatible Airport Express device that got updated with Airplay 2.

For me, if I use the Dot, it is for casual listening.  However, Yamaha does have something called “compressed music enhancer” that I believe makes Bluetooth sound a lot better. 

I have the Marantz connected to a smart plug (iHome).  It has a nifty little remote I keep by my favorite spot on the couch.  Just hit the button and the Marantz is on.  

However, if you just want to control it by voice, you can install the skill onto the Amazon Dot and just tell Alexa to “turn on receiver” and you are up and running.

My favorite  app for music is Audirvana.  It works with the DLNA feature on the Yamaha.   It allows Hi Rez options like Tidal or Qobuz to be streamed directly to the Yamaha/Marantz.  It sounds fantastic and you really couldn’t ask for much more.  The main thing that is lacking is MQA support (if you use Tidal), but it will still play files at 24/96.  No such issue with Qobuz.  Personally, I prefer Roon, but the person that runs that company doesn’t like DLNA.  He claims that everyone has issues with DLNA.  From my experience, with the Yamaha WXC-50, I haven’t had any issues.  However, depending on your network, your milage may differ.    I should mention that many say that DLNA does not support gapless playback.  I have tested that on the WXC-50 with Audirvana and it is indeed gapless.

It is also quite useful and convenient with Apple Music since it has Airplay built in.

When I first moved the Marantz to my living room, it was more of an art piece.  My dad made the beautiful wood case for it and it simply looks gorgeous  IMO.    At first, I was using it just for its tuner with headphones.  It worked great, but recently I added NHT SB2  bookshelf speakers to it (I love these speakers) which pushed the sound quality up several notches.  For headphones, I have a pair of ATH-AD700s.  Out of all my headphones, these are the most comfy and they have a wider sound stage (“head stage”) than most headphones.  

All in all, I am very happy with my modernized vintage receiver.  It plays any digital file I throw at it and the Dot gets around always needing to turn it on manually.   Also, knowing that the product goes back to the 1970s brings back a bit of nostalgia.  It would be interesting to add a turntable down the road, but that is probably overkill for this secondary living room setup.  ​​​​​​