I actually asked this question in a different post, but seeing as the subject title didn't lead to this question...here it is again I have a 5 year old Sony with 4 ohm capacity. It has regular Dolby Digital (5.1). And I'm using Bose 701 loudspeakers. I have surrounds, a sub and I just got the VP-150 for my center. I want your help to decide what to get first. Should I get my seperates (I called it reciever for simplicity sake), which is the Outlaw 950/7100 combo (this offering me DTS-ES and DD-EX? Or should I get my M80s first? They both need to be replacing...this is just to decide what to get FIRST! Thanks!

i would get the speakers first, for 2 reasons..

you currently have somthing that can power the speakers...

if you get the outlaw stuff now.. you will probably blow up your current speakers...

Get the speakers. They make the biggest difference. BTW, DTS-ES/DD-EX is mainly for extracting 7.1 from 5.1 sources. It's only usable if you have a 7.1 speaker config, and only if your source is 5.1.

You will likely be very impressed with the M80s.

I actually have a center channel (the one I replaced my VP-150 with) that I can use as my 6th channel, so I could then use DTS as well as Dolby Digital for surround sounds if I got the Outlaw now.
From what I hear though it sounds like most would say get the speakers first because it will likely be the most impactful to the sound. I just want to treat my Axioms right and give my babies the best treatment I guess part of me was waiting till I had the Outlaw because I hear that "seperates" sound better than "all-in-one receivers". Does anyone have anything to say to that? With that info still go speakers first? Thanks everyone! I'm appreciating all the information and conversation. It's nice to know people are sharing in my obsession *sigh*

MT, those who say "seperates sound better" are doubly incorrect. First, they've forgotten that "There's a rat in separate". In addition, they don't understand that if a competently designed receiver isn't driven beyond its power capabilities(very rare), a set of separate components operating in the same power ranges won't make the speakers sound any better. Speakers can make a significant difference and clearly should take priority.

i got the speakers first, 1000 fold differance.glad i did,it'll sound alot better now tell new receiver arrives(4 days)

I feel you Misfit. I've given serious though to the bstock sale from outlaw to go with my new axiom speakers. But, my onkyo 601 does quite well at what I actually use it for (i would hurt my ears from volume before I turned the speakers up enough to tax the receiver) which is 60/40 HT/Music in a studio apt. I highly recommend going speakers first, it will make a much more noticable difference.

jr

Speakers, no question.

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"There's a rat in separate"

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That's a great quote JohnK.
Almost philosophical
I was actually picturing someone building a little white mouse cage inside the very empty space of some components.

I upgraded my speakers a year ago (Epic 60 system) and just upgraded my reciever last month. Definitely speakers first...