Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Looking for AVR that can deal with 4 ohms...

Welcome to Axiom, Vik. You've got an excellent set of Axioms, but I wonder if using M22s as ceiling speakers is one of the typos. They're a bit big and heavy for that, so did you actually mean M2?

In any case, since you have 11 speakers, you'll need that many channels of amplification to use them simultaneously. Of the ones that you mention, I'm unaware of a "Marantz 8 series" AVR(there is a 8802 preamp/processor). The Yamaha 3040 has 9 internal amplifier channels and if combined with a separate 2-channel amplifier would power your entire setup with 4 ceiling speakers for Atmos.

My suggestion for a 9-channel AVR(again, a 2-channel separate amplifier is also needed)for Atmos play would be one of the Denon models with the top Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction processing. Suitable models would include the X5200, X6200 and X7200 . If you're in the U.S. you can get great deals on the factory refurbs (when in stock)from Accessories4less.

Ben, note that the S710 isn't the current model most nearly a successor to the X2100. There's no specific replacement model, but a bit above the X1200 and below the X2200 would be the closest description. The order on the current models in descending order is X2200-X1200-S910-S710. So, the S710 can be considered(except for the added Atmos capability for two rather than four overheads)to be between two and three steps down from the X2100.

If Atmos processing isn't essential I'd strongly suggest the X2100 over the S710. It has the higher grade Audyssey MultEQ XT, and my view is that you should get the highest version which is within your budget. If Atmos is necessary, consider the X2200 .

Thanks for the nudge, ordered the 2100 tonight. I think this will do what I need for a few years or more. I really appreciate everyone's ideas and recommendations.

Hah !

I skimmed the thread quickly and was about to recommend you look for a used HK 630

I love me some 630

Funny, my 525 just kicked the bucket. Fortunately it was in a second system by now, but it certainly went in a weird way. The fan won't turn off, and the fan is interfering with the amps.

Since a new receiver has been ordered I guess it's a good time to de-rail the thread.

Has anyone done the firmware update (for additional decode options and faster auto-detecdt) on an HK 630 themselves ? I dug out a couple of old PCs recently that had actual serial ports so seems like something I should try over the weekend... but on the other hand the receiver is now old enough that if I do screw something up it might be hard to get a replacement processor (ie one with non-screwed-up flash). Thoughts ?

That's funny. I would do a search and see how many other guys have screwed theirs up.

I just remembered, I had to update my wideband oxygen sensor and I used a sabrent usb to rs232 adapter. Took a bit to find 64 bit drivers but worked top notch after that.

And then there is THIS so understand being hesitant.

I've just tried out a Yamaha RX-A3050. It made my 4-ohm Axiom M80s sit up & take notice. Soundstage for miles too... It may be out of your price range, but it didn't blink at 4-ohm speakers all around.

Got the 2100 yesterday, tore out the HK and cried a little inside. That thing is a beast, probably weights 3 times as much as the new Denon (looks way better too!).

Anyway moving onward got it plugged in and setup then ran into issues with the HTPC connecting thru it. I've had this Win7 MCE box for years connected directly to the TV with HDMI and spdif to the HK without any issues. Throwing an AVR in between has reminded me about how much of a pain windows display/HDCP can be. I've been messing around with taping off pin 19 on the HDMI cable, etc but so far it's not working very well. I may have to switch back to having the HTPC send video to the TV and audio to the AVR. At least my growing number of other devices have a home finally on the AVR. For so long I've done 100% of everything thru the HTPC but those days are slowly dying.

/end rant