Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Need help deciding on receiver

ok, i plan to upgrade my current ht setup. right no it consists of the following: Yamaha HTR-5730 receiver, Yamaha DVS-5750 DVD PLayer, Yamaha centre and surrounds, old aura audio mains, as well as a hsu stf-2. i plan to purchase the follwing axiom speakers: M60ti, VP150, QS8, and i will stay with the stf-2
For my first purchase i plan to upgrade my reciever, but i am not sure what to choose. i was looking at the Harmon Kardon AVR-235, but i am concerned that it will not have enought power for the axiom mains i amd getting (50watt per channel @ 8ohms) would bi-wiring help to solve this problem by running the speakers at 4ohms? please note as i am on a limited budget, this system will take 5-6 months to complete, so if you have another receiver in mind to suggest, please try to keep it around $900cdn.. thnx much for any help, and it is greatly apreciated

Darren, like you I was skeptical of a mere 50watts per channel of this receiver until I bought one.(hk230) Don't be afraid to buy one based on the lower power ratings. Plenty of power to make your axioms louder than you can tolerate. Unless your into that sort of thing.

There are a lot of great receivers that are used on this board. Find one that meets your needs/wants and go for it.

ok, thnx much for your help, i think i might go with the avr 235, unless i can find a better deal within the next two months (this month im buying a new tv, then its on to the speakers and receiver )

If you look around you might find one of the earlier HK receivers being cleared out. I bought an HK 630 at a really good price when the x35s were announced; never would have been able to afford one at regular price.

If that deal had not happened along I would have purchased a 230 (that's what I went in to buy) and I expect I would have been very happy with it. I have run my speakers on an HK130 several times with great results.

As others have said, the HK's have a lower power rating but they really deliver that power even with all channels driven. Very few receivers can do that.

We're not necessarily saying that HKs are "better" because of that (although I bought one ), just that HK rates their amps with all channels driven while most other companies rate with 2 channels driven, giving a higher spec.

Darren, welcome. Looking at your setup it certainly doesn't appear that your 5730 is the first thing that needs to be replaced. It's rather basic, but should have adequate power for your new speakers and can be replaced later when your budget permits. Biwiring is essentially meaningless and doesn't increase power in any way or change impedance to 4 ohms. Your first purchase should be the M60s and would be far more meaningful than a receiver change.

I recommend the Harman Kardon.

There was a post with a bunch of bench tests and measurements ovver at audioholics for the Yamaha 2400 - it almost lived up to its wattage rating(very good in these times), but into 4 ohms the damping factor was around what you'd get on some tube amps, and the amp was being taxed horribly. the HKs do not do this, which suggests better amps - so don't worry about the wattage. Harman Kardon, NAD, Rotel, all give out conservative wattage ratings and have good high current amps.

I recommend you look at weight, over wattage. It tells a whole different story. If you find a 100x5 receiver that weighs 22 lbs, vs a 65x5 receiver that weighs 30 lbs, you're much better off with the 30 lbs receiver.

John, I understand what you are saying as far as what Darren is inquiring about. But as far as bi-wiring being "useless" I find a very substancial difference with my 60s bi-wired. On the Sunfire amp, there is a seperate voltage, and current source, on the 2 channel amp. they are obviously both current and voltage, but the voltage (high power) to the lower sections/woofers, and current to the higher mids/tweeter offer the best of both. This is more "vertical" bi-wiring, and there are great audible benefits. Taking it to another degree, some run a high power solid state amp to DRIVE the bass end, and a "warmer" tube amp - or "tube like" amp to run the mids and highs. The vocals are VERY much enhanced. Bi-wiring (can) bring the 60s to a whole different level.

That's bi-amping, if I understand you correctly. Biwiring makes no sense, electrically speaking.

Denon 2105 with nice features, also high current.
Onsale
It's B stock or refurbished but great price. There is a thread or two about refurbs, but I am well pleased.

I think Thasp may be onto something.