Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater What do you love or hate about your receiver?

mhorgel,

Sorry about that I wasnt referring to your setup only which actually looks very good! I was basically implying that with all the entries there was no mention of the combo. I was hoping that someone with an Outlaw combo would mention theirs.


Semper Fi

No offense taken...my last post wasn't really meant to be defensive, though it might have come off that way. I was just representin' my gear.

Mark

Now that it's finally broken in, I feel I can comment...

I have a Denon AVR-2803. I was also considering a Yamaha RX-V1400 and a Marantz SR5400.

I went with the Denon because the 'rantz lacked a phono jack and, even though I prefer the looks/ergonomics of Yamahas, the local dealer didn't have one in stock. I figure, if I'm going to pay B&M retail+tax, I ought to get to fiddle with it some, right? So, based on rep, specs, and price, plus impatience, I got the Denon from Crutchfield.

Pros:

• phono input (which I have yet to take advantage of)
• 7.1 x 90 wps (only using 5.1 now, but like the ability to add a second zone)
• Variable sub x-over (which I have set to the default)
• Remembers the output mode for each component. (Makes it easier for my wife to use and enjoy.)

Cons:

• The manual. Let's just say I had an easier time with Kant's "The Critique of Pure Reason." In German. Oh well. At least I don't have to write a term paper about it.
  
• The design. It doesn't look bad, per se. It's just not as cool looking, IMHO, as the Yamaha.
  
• The remote. Even though I've programmed it run my other components, I still have a full coffee table. It does all the basics well enough; invariably, though, there's some special function that the AVR remote doesn't do (or is too tricky to figure out).

Overall, I'm giddy as a school girl. No reservations. No what-ifs. No upgraditis.

I've only checked out a few of the DSPs. Mostly I leave it on "Direct" for music and "Dolby Digital" for movies. This being my first AV receiver and HT setup, I'm kinda like a monkey with a digital watch: Every little thing it does just blows my mind. Sometimes I even throw feces at the neighbors. But that's another post...

finally. someone else who who understands the joys of throwing feces at the neighbors.

^billy

I haven't done that for years!

My Denon 3803 is a beast. Plenty of power, features. I was fortunate to but an MX-700 remote, so I don't have much to say either way about the Denon remote - never really used it. I was able to find a file that has EVERY Denon command and it is sheer joy to use.

While I don't read the manual for pleasure, I can get through it if I need to.

I'm running a Onyko TX-SR800 and I honestly don't have a bad thing to say about it. Great sound with good power etc. It does everything I need it to do and does it well. Perhaps that is why Secrets Of Home Theater voted it best for 2003!

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_4/secrets-best-of-2003-awards-12-2003.html

reminds me of putting a paper bag full of dog $hit on someone's door step, lighting the bag on fire and ringing the door bell. then running away to watch. now mind you, i never did this...but just heard of it being done.
dan

I can't get nearly the performance out of a bag of dog doo that I get out of my 3803. That may be a reason the Secrets Of Home Theater never placed a bag of dog doo in their top three in any of the last 4 years.

i have the Onkyo SR701.

the thing i like most about it, is the fact that i finally got to hook it up this weekend. these are the things i like.

1. plenty of power
2. plenty of inputs/outputs(at least for my use), including a set of digital/s-video/rca jacks in front. and a 2nd zone.
3. it has up-conversion capabilities
4. great remote that can learn others
5. very detailed instruction manual
6. receiver automatically goes into DTS, THX, DD mode depending on the signal it reads from the dvd player.
7. awesome sound and performance
8. lots of DSP modes which come in handy when listening to TV shows thru the stereo

things i dont like

1. it does get kinda hot
2. tuner/radio reception is not very good
3. receiver display is hard to read when sitting on couch.

i have only had it wkng for a few days now, but these are the things i can think of. overall, i am very pleased with it, and i hope to continue to be so.

bigjohn