Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Integrated amp, or A/V receiver?

I am an audio newbie, planning a purchase of a pair of M22ti's.

I have one question that I'm hoping someone can help me with: if I am to start from scratch, what (set of) component(s) will give me the best upgrade path in a long run: integrated amplifier, A/V receiver, or combinations of other separates?

I am working with ~$600 budget, and I have no immediate need for 5+.1 HT. The only components that I have are a turntable and a DVD player.

While I certainly do not believe that stereo amplifiers intrinsically produce better sound than A/V receivers do, is it worth while to invest more right now, in this limited budget, on the additional functions that A/V receivers provide (, which I may not fully utilize?) Is it easier to build around A/V receivers, or integrated/power amplifiers?

I am sure that most of you here have gone through some upgrade paths, and I would like to feed on your experience. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think you'll get quality separates with that budget (and if you do, tell me how!), but in any case, the real question is whether you do plan to go to HT at some point. If you do, are you willing to

a) muck around with (and spend extra money on) extra parts and pieces to make your 2 channel integrated amp work with surround,
b) willing to get rid of your 2 channel stuff and get multichannel stuff, or
c) willing to risk the possibility that the multichannel stuff might not sound quite as good as the 2 channel stuff?

My choice was to go with a multichannel receiver now and add speakers later, rather than mess with the rest of it.

Goldy, I'm with Ken unless "no immediate need" might mean an awful long time. Get something now that'll fit into a growing system. Get the M22s and a receiver that has a phono input for your records(many don't). I'd suggest the JVC 8030. For your next step consider surrounds so that you could enjoy your stereo sources using DPLII for surround effects(actually you could even play with the "virtual surround" effect on the 8030 with just 2 speakers, but it doesn't sound all that great). You can find the 8030 for around $300 delivered.

Thank you both for your input.

I do not plan on getting into HT for another 1-2 yrs. The next purchase will be a sub.

You both mentioned adding speakers. Without knowing what kind of HT requirement I will have at that time, I cannot help thinking that there is a greater chance that the A/V receiver that I purchace right now (in this price range) will not be sufficient then.

1) Based on the quality of the product alone for what it is supposed to do, would ~$500 be better spent on an integrated amp or on an A/V receiver?
2) When I decide to set up a HT system step by step, should I invest in better speakers first, or better receivers first?

Thanks again.

First, the short answers: 1)receiver; 2)speakers. As I indicated in my first reply, you shouldn't consider a A/V receiver as being advisable only if you're doing lots of 5.1 DVD movies in a HT. The idea should be to get one with enough capabilities now so that you won't have to buy a " better receiver" soon. Although a sub would be a useful addition with M22s, as I suggested in another thread, don't overlook surround speakers for the next purchase. They aren't just for movies; they can reproduce ambience effects from your records and CDs with the DPLII mode on your receiver.

I absolutely agree with John about question 1. As to 2, what he says makes sense, but my reasoning behind receiver first (in my own case) was that I couldn't afford both, and my current 2 channel receiver was dying. Decidedly. It sounds like we may have/had similar problems. A few years ago, I bought the sub first, then bought (what I thought were) decent speakers, now I've got the reciever. I tend to disagree with John about the surrounds vs sub argument; I really like having that extra bass, and I've never gotten that much enjoyment out of surrounds when listening to them (not in my house).