Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Need help: Which A/V Receiver to get???

I was just where you're at a month ago. I ended up going with the Harman Kardon 630 from One Call ($718 shipped to my door). I saw it the week before at Circuit City for $1299! They, by far, had the best price on the internet and for a factory authorized reseller (meaning your warranty is good). I've had it for a short time but can tell you that is pleanty a powerhouse. SO...just one more to think about. Oh...and it's pretty sweet looking too. www.harmankardon.com

Though whatever you pick I'm sure you'll be very happy.

Enjoy!

I suggest the Harmon Kardon AVR630. I'm running M60s/VP150/QS8s. It's a great combo, and will play louder than you could possibly want it to go in an enclosed area (at least in a 16'x17'x8' one). I'm going to take them outside one day to see how loud they'll REALLY go). It has all of the surround modes you can possibly want, and H/K is testing the upgrade to Dolby Pro Logic IIx right now. You'll be able to hook your PC up to it to do the upgrade. It also fixes the only real complaint that I ever heard about this unit, the 1 second of dead air you get when you switch inputs, channels, or sound modes. Yeah, it does that. I do not consider it an issue. My TV does the same thing when I switch channels, so I never even noticed it at all until I read about it.

You can get it for $718 right now at OneCall. 2 day Fed Ex, and they will call you in a few days to make sure everything was in good order.

I just realized something pretty cool. I bought 5 speakers and a receiver over the internet. I am completely and totally thrilled with all of the equipment. I have never set foot in a store. Even better, I NEVER TALKED TO A SALESMEN! Well... I spoke with Brent at Axiom, but he really just answered questions and took the money.

Both companies managed to get the stuff here within 3 business days (I think Customs slow things down by a day). Both companies either e-mailed or called me within a couple of days to make sure things were A-OK.

Heck, I'm getting teary eyed... I'm about to call SVS to order my sub. From what I've read, I expect to be batting a thousand by the time all is said and done.

Happy receiver hunting,

I'm curious about your choice of QS4s and the VP100 to go with an M60. You say this is for a home theater, so presumably stereo audio isn't too important, but you're paying for the almost-top towers, while that same $400 (compared to the M22s) could go to upgrading the QS4s to 8s and the VP100 to a 150. Assuming you set your crossover the same on all channels (as recommended, and few receivers let you do otherwise), I don't think you'll be using the M60 much.

Anyway, it's up to you, and I know your head already hurts, but I'm just curious about that combination. I just ordered an M22/VP150/QS8 combination, but didn't have much choice about towers due to cats & (future) kids. Since ours is almost exclusively HT, I don't know if I would have gotten towers anyway.

Bruce

Bruce,

You'll love that combo for HT. It will open open your eyes.

Hi Bruce,

At this point I am still open to all options... I am pairing the M60s with VP100 and QS4s because I have read on this message board, as well as on Axiom's website that they are better matched sonically. I often wonder about that since I thought the entire Axiom line were timbre matched. I have thought about the exact same combo as yours, and haven't ruled it out, it will definitely save "some" money for upgrading cables or more for the receiver. :-) Keep the suggestions coming guys, the heavy fog is lifting with every post. I am currently considering the following receivers:

Denon 3805
Yamaha RX-V2400 or RX-Z1
Harman Kardon AVR630
Onkyo TX-NR901

Of all of these, the Yamaha and the Denon has the most intuitive and best laid-out back panel (for me). Feature between all are comparable so which one should I take?

dont get HK if you plan on running a record player.. they have no phono inputs or a ground connection.

just in case that was an option.

bigjohn

In reply to:

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dont get HK if you plan on running a record player.. they have no phono inputs or a ground connection.

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You can use a phono preamp if you need a turntable.

Pete, if the $600 area you mentioned for the receiver applies, the ones that you're considering don't fit. The Yamaha 1400 may well be your best choice available for around $600.