Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners What reciever to get?

I am thinkin about buying some M80ti's and an EP350 for my setup, or maybe M60ti's and an EP175 depending on how much money I can pull together. So, what recievers would you reccommend for this, probably at around US$400, I think, I'm in australia and not quite sure of the exchange rate. But, yeah anyway, Any suggestions would be grealty appreciated.

I like the Onkyo equipment, for $400 you could get the TX-SR502 or maybe the TX-SR601. Personally, I would try to find a deal on the TX-SR701 it has pre amp out connections for a future amp.( my hangup )

Keep in mind that the M80ti's are 4-ohm speakers. According to Onkyo the receivers above can drive a 4-ohm load. I've never tried it myself.

Now I'm not stuck on Onkyo, there are other brands like Denon and HK that will do the job.

Tom

There are many choices, but on this forum some of the ones mentioned most often in that price range, would be the Denon AVR-1804, Harmon Kardon AVR 230, Onkyo TX-SR601, and Yamaha RX-V650.

If you wouldn't mind getting a refurbished receiver, check out the prices at eCOST. You could probably pick up a slightly higher grade receiver for the same price. The consensus of opinion here is that buying a refurbed unit is perhaps less dangerous than buying a new one, because whatever problem there was, has been addressed and the unit has been thoroughly checked out. One of the fellows here just had the first problem with a refurbed DVD player. But things like that are a rarity.

Good advice, above, about being certain the receiver you get can drive a 4 ohm speaker, should you go for the M80s. The M60s are a lighter load at 8 ohms.

Here's a good article about 4 ohm loads.

http://www.audioholics.com/FAQs/000726_4ohm_speakers.php

Here's an article on the Onkyo TX-SR601 driving the Axiom M80ti's.
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/onkyo_TX-SR601_review_01.html

I am probably one step ahead of you as I just bought the Yamaha RX-V650 receiver - next step purchasing speakers. I went considered the Onkyo, Denon and HK (230 and 330) models noted above. One feature I was looking for was A+B speaker selection switch which eliminated the Onkyo and HS as they integrate the "B" into Zone 2, providing A AND B (as does Yamaha and Denon) but not the switch for A OR B. This is important if you have a 4 ohm speaker (like my ancient EPI 100's that I will eventually sell on ebay) and want to run in a separate zone/room as none will support A and B with 4 ohm...it has to be either A or B.

What I dislike about the Yamaha is the remote. It is non-learning and none of the codes recognized my cable box. At that pricepoint, I believe Onkyo, Denon and HK as also non-learning so plan on purchasing a universal remote with decent ones $125 up. I purchased the UCR-200 which is so new it is not available mailorder yet.

If you want to avoid the ohm issue and preserve the future expansion to "B" or "Zone 2", I would strongly consider the Axiom 60's over the 80's. If leaning towards the 80's, download and read the manuals for the receivers to doublecheck and make sure will support 4 ohms. I thought the Onkyo, and I know the Denon specified 6 ohm or better. Denon's specification is what narrowed my search to Yamaha.

After looking at your suggestions and reading some reviews on Audiholics (where i first came across Axiom) I think I've settled on the Onkyo TX-SR601. it looks pretty good for it's price

Very nice choice and am sure will be happy. That was also my first choice, but unfortunately the features didn't meet my needs. I particurally like the corporate policies of Onkyo (and HK) as they are very merchant and consumer friendly, as opposed to Denon and Yamaha who enforce price controls and warranty service by limiting to "authorized dealers." But that is a different rant. I purchased from Nice Electronics for $360 who internally warranty, rather than $499 from "authorized dealer". Very tempted to purchase from "authorized dealer", copy receipt for records, then return unopened - but haven't.

If you are looking for a universal remote, the thread I started on audioholics gives a good discussion of Harmony, Sony, Pronto, and Home Theater/URC moderately priced models. Audioholics also has a full review of the Home Theater MX-700, and I believe they are working on a review of a Harmony model.

chunk-

i have the onkyo 701.. this is a great unit, and i am sure the 601 will be excellent for you.. the remote for the 701 is a 'learning' remote, so i think the 601 remote will be also.

make sure when you place it in your entertainment center or on your stereo rack, that you leave plenty of room for it to breath.. my 701 gets pretty warm, so i would allow for plenty of cool air to get to it.

good luck.

bigjohn

chunkYE I have that receiver and have had no problems at all with it. The ONLY 'complaint' I have so far is that when I want to set the input from my DVD to multichannel (for SACD and DVD-A) I have to get up and press a button on the front of the receiver. I have not been able to find a button on the remote that does the same thing. I will want to upgrade, but that has to do with a disease I have (upgrade-itis) more than an actual (VS perceived) need to upgrade!
BigWill is right. The remotes are the same for the 701 and 601. I have the 601 and it can get pretty warm. I've never had it get two hot to touch, but I only have M22s (and vp150 and QS8s). He is also right about the need for ventilation. If you are running the M80s I can imaging that the 601 will get toasty (but will perform without a glitch).

Did you read the article that tleigh linked? They said that the 601 did quite well with the M80s.