Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Stereo Receivers

I just purchased a pair of the Millennia M3ti bookshelves because I'm putting together a system upstairs in my house just for listening to music on CDs. I have a HT system downstairs for movies and TV. I want to buy a stereo receiver because I don't need an A/V receiver just for the CD player (Onkyo), but I don't want to spend too much since I'm having to have two systems (not ideal, but the HT is in the finished basement of the house and I would like to listen to music somewhere other than the basement). Does anyone have a recommendation for a good stereo receiver to pair with the M3ti for around $300? I've been looking at the Denon DRA-685 and the Onkyo TX-8511. Any recommendations of one over the other or some other for about the same money? I listen to mostly Jazz (~400 cds) and Blues (~800 cds). Thanks.

Check around and see what is available used in your area. Now that Home Theatre is all the rage you can score some great deals on stereo equipment. Good hunting.

If you don't mind buying used, you can probably pick up a NAD C350 or Cambridge Audio D500 for 300, or less. It will probably be much better than any Denon/Onkyo/name your HT receiver manufacturer (I havne't heard a lot of "HT" receivers. but the ones I HAVE heard were not that impressive with 2 channel music).

Only limitations are these integrated amps usually do not have a tuner nor a phono section. Not sure if this may be a problem to you.

Good luck.

I agree with purchasing a NAD or Cambridge for two channel audio. In that price range, I haven't heard anything that can beat them. The M3's will play extremely well with one of these.

Check this website for used stuff:
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com

I have heard pretty good things on the denon DRA receivers. I just bought a used DRA775 for $150 (MSRP $700+) from audiogon.com that should be arriving today. I will be using mine with a pair of M-60's for stereo (mostly jazz). I will let you know how the sound is within a couple of days. If you haven't checked already, you will probably want to check out some user reviews on those units on audioreview.com.
With axioms, you will probably want to stay away from some of the brighter recievers that are out there, but most of them seem to be AV receivers as opposed to what you are considering.
Another concern of mine is stereo reception, this unit reportly has a good tuner. I will find out if I can get rid of my seperate 1970's kenwood tuner (and about 30lbs of gear).

-jd

Yes, this is true, Denon also makes a very good stereo receiver. I have a pretty good tuner on my Denon home theatre receiver.

The best thing to do now is listen and decide.