Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners A/V Receiver suggestions for Epic Grandmaster 500

My wife has finally allowed me to put together my home theatre. I intend to buy the Epic Grandmaster 500 and the Panasonic TH-42PX60U Plasma. I'd rather get a bigger TV and floor standing speakers, but I have my limits. Anyway, I'm looking to spend $1000--$1500 on a A/V Receiver and would like to get comments from owners who have similar systems on recomendations. I'm looking at the Marantz 7500 and 8500, and the Denon 2807 (when it comes out), 3806, and possibly 4306. I'm looking at the Denon's primarily for HDMI upconverting, but have read that it doesn't always work and there are verification issues. Is HDMI that much better than the alternatives?

Roliva,

I was basically looking at the same group of receivers. I finally settled on a Pioneer Elite VSX74. I couldn't be happier. It also support HDMI converting. Some of the features that set it apart were the THX certification and Ipod interface.

EDIT: I'm running M60s, a VP150 and QS4s, with a SVS 25-31 sub.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_4155_272584179,00.html

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the recievers you mentioned, I own the 3805 and am very happy with it. You should not have any promblems with your HDMI as long as your TV supports it. I do my upconvering off my 3910 so I can't tell you how it works with a reciever.

I should have also mentioned I don't use the switching features of my receiver. My TV has 2 HDMI, 2 component and a DVI. I really don't see any benefit of using the receiver. It seems to cause more problems then it's worth.

Hi roliva, and welcome.

As was said to me when I was a newbie a couple of months ago, congratulations on your excellent choice of speakers. The Axioms will definitely be the biggest reason you will have a kickass HT.

I too am roughly in the same budget territory as you on receivers. I considered the Denon 3806 most before drifting over to Marantz and Arcam for a while. I listened to a Marantz receiver (can't recall which one, exactly) with the M80s and it was great - very transparent, very clean. Not bright.

The Arcam AVR300 is a bit over your budget ($1999) but it gets phenomenal reviews. I heard it, but not with Axioms. There is also an AVR200 that may be within your budget. I think it is $1499.

Now I am actually about to purchase the Outlaw Audio 990 preamp processor and the 7125 amplifier. My first venture into separates! That combination would also be over your budget, but may I suggest you consider the 1070 receiver? It also gets phenomenal reviews, and at only $899, it is a giant-killer. Like Axiom, Outlaw is a well-respected internet-only company that sells hifi without a middleman (bargain!) and with a 30-day no-obligation home trial.

Anyway, you are in an exciting time as you outfit your HT. Enjoy!

Hi roliva,
I am putting a system together for a friend and I'm having the same problem picking a rec..She just got the Panasonic TH-42PX60U last week.This week I will be ordering the Axiom M60ti,VP150,QS4 and EP175.I have been debating btw the Yamaha 2600,5990 or the Denon 3805.I really don't know how important the HDMI feature is considering that I always like to run all the video signal thru the TV and not the rec.. I know that all of these rec. will do a fine job with the H/T end of it,but i wonder which one would excel in the music end of it.With regard to the speakers,I have read on other forums that many people opt to go with a different Sub other than the Axiom sub. Have you read this and if so what do you think? Hopefully this week I will finally purchase the Rec. and order the speakers.Keep me posted as to your choice for the rec.

I bought the Onkyo 703 a couple of months ago and have been very pleased. I got the 703 because I DID NOT want HDMI switching or upconverting. I also bought it with the intention of buying a seperate amp to go with it. Haven't decided on the amp, but the 703 seems to have plenty of power to drive my Axioms.

At the time, I think that J&R had it for $600, shipping included.

In reply to:

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With regard to the speakers,I have read on other forums that many people opt to go with a different Sub other than the Axiom sub. Have you read this and if so what do you think?

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Over the years there has been a tendency to recommend HSU and SVS subs over Axiom subs. I'm not exactly sure how or why this got started, because most who own the Axiom subs seem very content with them.

Regardless, with the introduction of the EP500 and EP600, there has been a change. These two subs have raised the Axiom bar, and led to comparisons where some, in fact, prefer the Axioms to HSU and SVS. I am one of these, and own an EP500. If these subs are in your budget, you wouldn't be disappointed by either.

Likewise, I doubt you would be disappointed with a HSU or SVS sub. Also, there are other worthy manufacturers such as Velodyne, Rocket, and Mirage. Just don't be quick to pass up an EP500 or 600 based on what you've read elsewhere.

The only thing I don't like about this Panny tv is the resolution.

<<Native Resolution (Number of Pixels) 1024 x 768>>

I would prefer true 1366 x 768 enhanced HD, or 1920 x 1080 HD.

Just my opinion.

I’ve been back and forth with this same decision several times now.

I have a new thought and direction I’m going to take from now on.

Separates are great, but expensive. Typically, the pre/pro is the most expensive part and that is also the part that is constantly changing with technology.

Receivers are fairly inexpensive (compared to separates). Where they seam to lack is power (current) and when you look for AVR’s that have enough current for your mains, your stuck with the high dollar AVR’s.

So, this is what I am going to do.

I’m gunna look for an inexpensive, low power receiver that has all the bells and whistles that are important to me, but doesn’t have kick ass amps. Then I’m going to buy a good two channel amp for the mains and use the receiver’s amps to drive the rest of the speakers. If you think about it, the mains are usually the only power hungry part of the system. So why waste all that power and expense on the other five channels?

Yamaha has some pretty trick receivers with unlimited processing traits and you can get lower end Yamaha’s for cheap that still have all the cool options. Pair them up with a good NAD or Rotel two channel amp or Outlaw mono’s and you have the best of all worlds…….affordably.

Or, several HK receivers have excellent processing and they are inexpensive. Hell, there’s many inexpensive receivers out there that have great options, but lack in power. Just find one you like and drop some cash on the amp.

Can you tell me where you bought the receiver. I'm very worried to buy one online from a non-authorized dealer

I've read nothing but excellent reviews for the 500. Even though it's $500 more expenxive than the SVS or rocket, I figured I'll give it a try. If it doesn't blow me away, I'll send it back and get either the SVS or rocket.

My guess is once you try the 500 you won't be sending it back. It is one awesome sub.

I agree with HomeDad! The 500 rocks the house and the music.

In reply to:

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I figured I'll give it a try. If it doesn't blow me away, I'll send it back and get either the SVS or rocket

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Good Plan!

at first i was glad to hear that someone else was looking at the soon to be released denon 2807, but i would like to know from anyone about this issue that roliva talks about.( " i'm looking at the denon's primarily for hdmi upconverting, but have read that it doesn't always work and there are verification issues".) is this true? is it only denon? is it time for me to look more closley to the rx-v2600,or others?

I personally think that's some great logic Mike, that has been my plan all along. I spent some $$$ on a nice 5 channel amp to start with and picked up a dirt-cheap floor model Yamaha receiver. I'm actually looking at upgrading sometime here in the near future (camera purchase got in the way) but Yammie (757) & Pioneer (1015) and the Denon 2106 are the front runners. Lots of features and decently priced. I do suspect that any of those receivers would actually drive my system sufficiently without the external amp.

Imho, rather than buying a receiver that upconverts, get a DVD player that does it and connect it directly to you TV. There are many reasonably priced DVD players that upconvert with Hdmi.

I'll second the Pioneer 1015. I love mine, fantastic processing, three component inputs and sends all video thru component out. I too am planning on adding amps for the mains and centre but in the meantime the 1015 does just fine on its own.

Strangely enough I am picking up an LG LDA-531 upconverting player today that you can supposedly get to upconvert thru component outs with some adjustments. Should be fun to try out.

LOL!!! You and I think alike!!!

I'm still trying to research whether I want a 2 or 3 channel amp. I'm sort of leaning toward just a 2 channel.

I have just changed to this approach myself.

If I make any change at all from my monoblocks, it will be for a 2 or 3 channel amp. At my listening levels, I think my M200s will do the job. I'll have to hear something better to change.

And I don't think I'll change from my Denon for the forseeable future. It does a good job.

I just asked you on another thread what you experience was last year between 2 and 3 channels.

3 channel amps? Didn't know they made any. I'd go with a three channel in that case. Lots of 6 ohm center channel speakers out. Or, if running two speakers in parallel, that will be a 4 ohm load.

When I set my twin M22’s (center) and M80 (mains), I had to set the M22’s 5 db lower to equal the M80 mains. I thought that was odd.

I have a pretty good link to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 channel amps. Unfortunately, it is on my computer at work. I will send it to my home computer tomorrow and post it.

When I was looking I saw several 3 channel amps, Adcom is the one I remember right off the bat. Link

Yes, Adcom was one of the companies that makes a 3 channel. Monster does also. We were talking about tht Monster amp on another thread. There are about 4 more companies that make 3 channel amps. I am not planning 7.1 anytime in the near future.

I am leaning more toward a 2 channel amp because I think that my Onkyo should have plenty of power for a center and 2 surrounds.

I also got a 703 a couple of months ago.

Great receiver - plenty of configuration options and plenty of power - m60(2), VP150, QS8(2), EP500, and two 4Ohm Klipsch 2.0 for rears. And I have a huge room - 16x28x9. At the receiver volume at -10dB the sound level is 90dB and that's as much as can stand. And there is still lots of headroom.

On the last page of the manual there are power ratings. The same model rated differently in different countries. But not because of the actual differences in the model but rather because of different standards and specs for measurements - broad bandwidth or single tone, rms or maximum, etc...

USA - 100W + 100W (8Ohm, 20Hz-20kHz)
Europe 140W+140Q (6Ohm, 1kHz)
Japan 160W+160W (6Ohm, 1kHz)

I also read the Onkyo is very conservative with their specs.

Here is the link for the amps amps.

Not every amp is included but it is a fairly comprehensive list.

Gena: I would be interested in hearing what your decision process was for the 703.

After looking for over a year, my situation boiled down to a receiver having at least 4 optical (audio) inputs, the Dolby Digital and THX signal processing, and NOT having any video upconversion/ switching (DVI or HDMI).

I appreciate everyones comments. I decided to go with the Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV. After talking with numerous people I decided that I didn't need the extras in the 74. Plus I got the 72 for $1040 and couldn't pass that up.

where did you pick up your receiver?

I picked it up in Raleigh, where I live. One of the guys misquoted the price and they honored the price. Got lucky.