Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Need suggestion on what component to upgrade.

I agree, go with the receiver upgrade. The worst thing you can do is upgrade a sub or speakers when you are still in the dorm. You have to ask yourself where you will be in a year or three. You never know what type of room your system will be in next and if you start your building process now, at the foundation, you can upgrade the sub and speakers to fit the room you will be in with a good rec.

I'm thinking something below $500. Someone on audigon is selling his avr-525 for $425. I'm considering that, but I've been reading alot of people on these boards are pretty happy with Denon equipment. I also saw a Denon 2803 which seems like a comparable receiver for $499.

I did some critical listening this afternoon for a while, and i'm starting to think that my description of not "clean" was not the right word choice. I'm becoming more and more convinced that my sub simple can't keep up with the speakers at high volumes.

I have to be honest, the idea of buying a new receiver to replace my current one leaves me wondering if I will really gain anything. Unfortunately no one on my campus (that i know of) has a good amp that i could borrow to see for myself. On the other hand, it would be nice to have a receiver with some pre-outs.

How about buying a good sub at a local store and trying that out. If it solves your issus that you brought up then you are good to go. If it does not fix the issue then just return the sub and go the amp route.

That sounds like the best idea so far.
So yea!, what he said.

Alright, so I can get a HSU VTF-2 in my area for $250 used but in good condition. I'm thinking I can sell my current sub for around $125 to someone at my school, so for $125 it seems worth the upgrade. What do you guys think?

Again, I would "borrow" a sub from your local retailer to see if that is the issue you are having with your system. If you can return the HSU, used unit then that would work out well for you. If you cannot return it then you may purchase an item that, after set up, you realize is not the issue you are having. If after you "borrow" the sub and see that it is the issue then return it and get the HSU, or use the HSU as your test item.