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Ok, I just bought my TV and am now ordering my Axioms. I know absolutely nothing about speakers / receivers / power. I am buying the M60s, VP150, QS8s, and an SVS 25-31PCi Subwoofer.
My TV was $2,000, this speaker set up will be apprx $2,300, so that leaves me with nothin' but change left over for a receiver. What are a few receiver options that I can buy for $500 that would allow me to enjoy this set up? I mainly watch DVDs and Sporting Events.
$500 is what i would like to spend but I could go a little higher for the right reasons.

From what I can tell, people on this site really like Denons / Outlaws, but those seem to be a bit pricey and I really wouldn't even know which models to get anyways.

Thanks in advance for any recs.

TrueFX

True, you've spent most of your budget where it counts most: on the speakers and TV. Fortunately there're several fine receivers available in the $400-$500 area that'll be excellent with your setup. I'll specifically point out the new Onkyo 604 available for $400 with free shipping and the Yamaha 5890 for just a little more.

I agree with John, also if you look around you can sometimes find Denon's and HK's at good prices. If you decide to buy online, just make sure you buy from a reputible online etailer. Maybe others will chime in and give you some more ideas...welcome to the club.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4058163

HK AVR 240 is a great option. I have the 235 and have owned a Yamaha in the same price range. There is no comparison. My speakers and TV prices were in the same range as yours. While you can spend a lot more on a receiver, if this meets your basic needs you will find the sound quality and power more than adequate to match up with the rest of your system. Don't pay attention to the power (Watts) ratings. HK rates power very conservatively. Also, JR.com is a good dealer. I have ordered multiple items from them and even sent one back. There customer service is very good.

Foghorn, does that mean you don't like the Yamaha?

Aslo, i've noticed the only difference between some receivers and other is THX and $150. I'm guessing THX certification isn't really worth it.

True, that "notice" is incorrect. Despite rumors floating around to the contrary, the THX certification of a receiver(useful for having confidence of its capabilities)adds roughly $5 per unit to the cost. Models adding the THX certification to previous similar models without the certification have nothing remotely like a $150 price increase.

HARMON-KARDON-AVR635

Brand New

http://cgi.ebay.com/HARMON-KARDON-AVR635...1QQcmdZViewItem

Refurbished

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-AVR-63...9QQcmdZViewItem

I've got a refurb 635 and its been nothing but trouble. Going to the shop for the second time after having it for a month and being able to use it for 2-3 days total. I've heard of a few people having similiar problems with HK refurbs. That said people have had good luck with the warraty support-one person even got a brand new 640 after an experience almost identical to mine. If this next trip to the shop doesn't fix it I'm going to demand at least an exchange for another one.

I tell you what though-once I get it fixed I'm going to be really happy. I also bought a Yamaha 2500-I'm planning on selling the one I like the least. The sound on the HK is significantly better than on the Yamaha using my low to mid end 5.0 bookshelf setup in my condo. I'm not sure how they'll compare when I move and get my Axioms. I did get a bad first impression of the Yamaha. It has those gimmicky environmental audio modes and a particularly echoy one was enabled by default-which may be clouding my judgment. If it weren't for how good this HK sounds I'd be demanding my money back.

DW, yes of course the basic quality of receivers should be judged without any special sound processing in effect. When that's the case and the volume levels are calibrated to be within 0.1dB of each other, neither the Yamahas nor any of the other receivers available from major manufacturers add any audible coloration to the sound and they can't be distinguished from each other in blind listening tests..

Where are you? Canada, US, Other?

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DW, yes of course the basic quality of receivers should be judged without any special sound processing in effect. When that's the case and the volume levels are calibrated to be within 0.1dB of each other, neither the Yamahas nor any of the other receivers available from major manufacturers add any audible coloration to the sound and they can't be distinguished from each other in blind listening tests..

Once that emotional line has been crossed, 'thinking you are hearing a difference' is the same as hearing a difference. Also, both of these receivers have automatic EQ/Level adjustment. I doubt they both work exactly the same-and I doubt that they will produce the same sound. I just can't believe that all receivers sound exactly the same-I could definately tell the difference between Pioneer and Rotel in the same price class on an a/b switch.

BugBitten, I am in the US.

Then look at ubid for several B-stock options including a Denon 2106 for $400.

I got my Denon 3805 from ubid with no problems. (Though I am thinking real hard about the Outlaw 990 right now.)

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DW, yes of course the basic quality of receivers should be judged without any special sound processing in effect. When that's the case and the volume levels are calibrated to be within 0.1dB of each other, neither the Yamahas nor any of the other receivers available from major manufacturers add any audible coloration to the sound and they can't be distinguished from each other in blind listening tests..

I got to thinking about this, and stating that two receivers will be indistinguishable is a pretty absurd statement. In fact receivers have electronics inside specfically geared toward altering the source sound. I'd be surprised if most people couldn't tell the difference between two receivers in a blind test. There may not be a clear preference-but I think most people could tell you when one was playing versus another.

Once that emotional line has been crossed, 'thinking you are hearing a difference' is the same as hearing a difference. Also, both of these receivers have automatic EQ/Level adjustment. I doubt they both work exactly the same-and I doubt that they will produce the same sound. I just can't believe that all receivers sound exactly the same-I could definately tell the difference between Pioneer and Rotel in the same price class on an a/b switch.

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I'd be surprised if most people couldn't tell the difference between two receivers in a blind test. There may not be a clear preference-but I think most people could tell you when one was playing versus another.

Quite a few notable blind listening tests performed in the past few decades have shown that that is in fact not the case. I agree with you that it seems counter-intuitive, but the only argument you can make against blind listening tests as a reliable testing methodology is that they somehow mask differences that actually exist between amplifiers.

Then you'd have to prove it.

Well, the real trick is turning off all of those gewgaws--eg the tone controls (duh), special processing modes, equalization. At that point, well designed receivers should sound the same. Otherwise, they're not well designed.