Hi All.
Thanks to the folks on this board I decided to give myself a little x-mas present and buy Axioms (M60ti, VP 150 and 2 QS-8) plus a HSU VTF-2 sub. I'm replacing an Energy Encore System but my home theater in my new home (25lx17wx10h) was too much for them. I currently have a Marantz SR-7000 reciever. I'm having a hard time blending the VTF-2 with this system and the Axioms sound very bright. It was almost painful listening to classical music last night. The Lord of the Rings Two Towers did sound good however.

I asked Dr. Hsu for his recomendations and he said I should ditch the Marantz (said you can't set the crossover on it, not a good receiver) and get an Onkyo TX SR501. If a new receiver will make my system sound better than I'm all for it. However, is the SR501 the best receiver to buy? I'm willing to spend around $500 bucks (if it will make my system sound warm). I listen to about 75% movies, 25% music. I'm thinking about getting the Onkyo TX SR-601 or the Harmon Kardon AV325. Any Axiom owners out there care to share your experiences with these receivers and your Axiom/Hsu set up? Any other receivers, in the $500 price range, I should take a look at? Thanks in advance. I'm really looking to getting the most out of my new speakers/sub.

Regards,
Asahi

I'm not sure how much I can help you, but there are plenty on this forum who can. I have the same speakers and sub as you running through my Yamaha RXV1400. (Retail $800., bought online for $588.) I am quite satisfied with the sound. I would say my setup at first may have been a little bright, if you will, until I; 1) I have hardwood floors in a 20x12 room, added a area rug(only a 6x7 1/2 helped) 2) I messed with the treble and bass a little 3) I think most importantly for me anyway was messed with the positioning of the fronts. I have them about 6 1/2 feet apart and just slightly toed in. I sit about 14 feet away, although the sound is good around the whole room. I hear alot of people talking about "warm receivers/bright receivers" I guess my Yamaha is one of the bright ones...??? I don't know if there really is such a thing. I hear alot about Harmon Kardon being warmer. Alot of talk on the HK525. Also Dennon. I am sure someone here can help more on that. Good luck. IMO, you have a nice setup. (Speakers, that is ) Hope you get all figured out.

From old Axiom files, for all those who have been posting lately about warm and bright receivers, i suggest you read through this entire thread on the subject. Sushi presents the best case in a technical manner against such bunkum.

A true A/B test will help you really distinguish a difference b/w sound although a test with an instantaneous switch is very hard to set up in one's home. More often than not, when properly done, no significant difference will be evident when comparing to relatively similar units.
In the least, take both units home, have someone sit behind them and switch interconnect cables at random not telling you which unit is plugged in at any time (do this blindfolded). If you cannot consistently guess which is which then your answer is set. Be sure that both units are calibrated to play at the same volume level first and do not just switch back and forth b/w unit 1 and 2. It must be random and it must be done several times (10 or more).
Let your ears be the judge but remove the bias of your brain first!

NOTE: From a CD player, be sure to use the analog connections only (not the digital) or you will be testing the receivers' DACs vs. each other, not their 'character' sound.

Well, I tried to read the thread and found myself, well, bored. I wasn't trying to state there was such a thing as warm and bright receivers, which is why I stated I didn't know if there was such a thing. I personally haven't heard anything to make me believe that. I was just stating that I have heard of talk as such, so one could consider it for him/her self. Thanks for the link though. I did read enough to conclude that with what I did read and with what I have heard, there is no, at least considerable, difference in a receiver types sound.

A friend of mine owns a Marantz SR-8000 with Paradigm Reference speakers (older model Reference 11 I believe). When I purchased my Epic 60 System, he insisted that I try out the mains on his Reciever to compare to his Paradigm's.

We used The Eagle's Hell Freezes Over DVD and Fleetwood Mac's The Dance as comparison. The paradigms and the Axiom's were indistinguishable on the A/B test. However, the big thing for me was the sound was absolutely incredible from the Axiom's using the SR-8000. I absolutely cringe at high frequency audio and definitely did not find the combination of Marantz and Axiom bright.

Postscript - I forgot to mention. I liked the Combo so much that I just recently bought an SR-8300 - it should be in in a couple of days.

What have you been using?

Up to now I have been using a Technics SA-GX710 New Class A reciever (130 W/Ch). Unfortunately it is not upgradeable to the new surround modes so we decided to bite the bullet and get a new reciever.

Incidently, I really do like the Technics New Class A amp sound - very clear, no hiss or distortion.

Thanks to all the responses. The reason I'm thinking of swapping out my Marantz SR 7000 is because Dr. Hsu (of Hsu Research) recommend an Onkyo receiver as a good match for the VTF-2 sub. I'm looking for a receiver that matches up well with the Axioms and the Hsu. Currently I'm looking at the HK AVR7200 or 630 or the Onkyo TX SR800. I've heard good things about both the HK and Onkyo speakers with the edge going to the Onkyo. I'm planning on putting the Marantz downstairs and matching it up with the Energy surronds. Any thoughts on the receivers listed above?

I've owned numerous Onkyo products and have always been very happy with them.

Those are the kinds of threads that used to make this board so interesting. Thanks for digging it up.

As far as "brightness" in recievers/amps goes, one should be more concerned with things like: how many throw pillows are in the room, carpet thickness, drapes, wall reflections, is that 500sq" glass sliding door causing any brightness problems, will speakers placement help, what can I do to (my room) to help smooth out the peaks in the treble regions (tip: you can't if its' on the recording), will some sort of EQ help and the list goes on and on.

The point is, this bright/warm thing (baring tubes) has become such a mind set that ppl get so hung up about it that they overlook the real problems that cause "brightness" (baring bright speakers) such as the room, the recording, the speakers, etc and begin to focus on the things that have the least to do with "brightness" in audio.



Damn, I miss sushi after reading that thread again!

One Call is blowing out Onkyo TX-SR 800's for $599. Thia is last year's just-under-the-flagship model, and is THX certified. It also has 7 amplifier channels, and 7.1 pre-ins and outs. It retails for $999, and I paid $899 for mine a year ago.

It's a damn fine receiver, and at $599 it's a steal. The offer reportedly ends tonight, however. Here's the link:http://www.onecall.com/Specials.mpt?SpecialID=928

Mark

Asahi, neither the Onkyo nor any other receiver is inherently so poorly designed that it will make your system sound "warm". You may simply be used to a less accurate sound than what the Axioms are giving you and in time will grow accustomed to it. If your listening room is very live, one type of receiver that can make some difference in the overall sound is one having an automatic room and speaker equalization system, such as the Yamaha 1400.

My Denon 1804 had a very even warm sound to it right out of the box. I haven't had to adjust anything on it to make it sound this way. I think the 2803 is in your price range. But I would agree that the room surroundings can make or break the sound from the speakers. The quality that is built into the new receivers these days makes buying one a very hard choice. I have friends with HK's and I can't really tell a difference. good luck

I say the H/K AVR630 its a bit above the range but well worth it

The just-discontinued H/K AVR525 -- I just bought a floor demo bargain -- is still available some places. I noticed on the H/K site (sorry, can't find the link right now) that it can be purchased as a factory-remanufactured unit from H/K for $600.