Chris, if the Axioms that you list in your option 1. are attractive to you, that's the way to go, rather than worrying about the receiver. There's much misinformation circulated about amplification in general and certain receivers in particular. Many users have been enjoying M80s and other 4ohm speakers for years with Onkyos and other similar receivers. You shouldn't assume that your present unit wouldn't be enough to satisfy your particular use pattern.

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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.