Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners What would you upgrade with $2000 ?

Hey guys. I have set aside $2,000 dollars to upgrade my home theater sound system. I am agonizing over the best option so I would love to get your opinion on what option you would chose. I currently have 3 year old M60s, VP150, a SVS Ultra sub, an older Onkyo receiver and dipole Wharfdale surrounds. Here are my two options.

1. Using the trade-up program I get the high-gloss cherry m80s, vp150 and qs8 for about $1400. I love the way the high gloss speakers look and I would like to take advantage of the free upgrade promotion. But, with the m80s, I would need upgrade my receiver. That would only leave $600 for a receiver. Maybe I could find a used or refurbished Denon for that, but it certainly would not be the latest and greatest receiver.

2. My other option is to buy a top notch home video receiver. My brother-in-law is a Marantz dealer, so I could get a new SR7002 for around $1000, or the SR8002 for around $1400. Then I could get some QS8s from the factory outlet, and pickup one of the cheaper HD-DVD players, or even a Sony PS3.

So which one would you choose???

Thanks,
Chris

Do this and then pick up a Pro amp for around $500 to power the M80s, that is if your reciever has preouts. Nothing makes as big of a difference in a system than the speakers.

I really wish I could, but unfortunately there are no pre-outs on my Onkyo.

Then buy a new receiver :).

I was thinking at getting a power amp to connect to my AVR. I was looking at the crown XLS serries. But I noticed that the crown only has a balanced input and my pre amp out is a unbalanced rca type connectors. Is there anyway I can wire my unblanced output to the balanced input of the crown??

There are adapters made for this.

Actually, if I am not mistaken, I think the A1400 comes with such adapters. They seemed pretty straightforward. You can check the A1400 manual on its web page.

Yes, it does come with those adapters. I missed them on my first time through the box, but then I remembered they were supposed to be included.

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.

Thats good to hear John. I really would like to upgrade the speakers, but I read so many posts about the Onkyo not working well with the M80. I don't crank up my system very much, so maybe my receiver can hold me over until I can afford something more appropriate.