Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Denon, Pioneer or HK

Hi again all!

I'm now trying to decide what receiver to get for my 7.1, primarily SACD and DVD-A sound system. I know that the Axioms are generally considered to be somewhat bright or detailed, and I'm looking for a warm receiver to offset some of that. I'm looking to spend around $600 or less and I would consider refurbs and ebay to snag some higher end models at a great price. That said, what would you all recommend based on the following:

VSX-1014TX
Denon 1083 or 2805
HK 435/635

If anyone has any other suggestions, please feel free to make them. Thank you all for your advise.

Jerrin

i think the whole notion of receivers being "warm" or "bright" is somewhat false. especially solid state receivers. now, i think those terms come into play when you are dealing with tube amps, but this is just my opinion. the receivers are simply amplifying a signal, and i think the perception of "warm" or "bright" comes from different variables, with the main one being a persons ears.

with that said, i think any of the options you have listed will work well for you. the pioneer elite series gets good reviews. and i am under the firm belief that you just cant go wrong with Denon or H/K equip. might i also suggest Onkyo. just another one to throw in the mix.

there are several places online that have great deals on equip made by all of these companies. macmall.com, ecost.com, pcmall.com.

you can find some great deals on refurb and b-stock. and $600 bucks is an awesome receiver budget. i have confidence you will find many great options under that price range.

good luck, and let us know how it goes!

bigjohn

Jerrinst, I have had owned every receiver on your list and went with the HK630. My thoughts on each receiver are posted somewhere in this forums.

In reply to:

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95% of the time it turns out to be a high current, high amperage design

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then how do you account for the other 5%?

i think its all just a matter of perception. i HAVE heard different receivers and amps, and i just tend to believe that different speakers, environment, placement, etc.. have more influence on if something is perceived as "warm" or "bright", than the receiver itself.

once again, just my opinion..

bigjohn

Jerrinst: I've sold many receivers from each of those manufacturer's, and even though each do have minimal sonic differences, any reciever from one of those brands would be a great mate for your Axiom speakers. I'm a devoted Yammie user, but I have always liked Denon's and HK's offerings too. Good luck!

Jerrin, Axioms aren't "generally considered to be somewhat bright" by their owners. "Detailed", of course, but that doesn't imply excessive mids/highs. This is fortunate, because receivers aren't "warm" except when you put your hand on them. Despite the fact that there would have to a substantial defect in a receiver's frequency response(which simply doesn't exist) for it to degrade the sound and create a warm effect, this myth continues to circulate. Of course, the incessant repetition of myths doesn't make them come true. Select one of the fine receivers which you've listed based on features and price. Note especially that the new HK435 has the new room equalization system developed by Dr. Toole's group which also operates on the low bass frequencies where it's most needed.

So there you go...

If you believe that some receivers have a warmer sound than others, and that Axioms are bright, you should go with an HK because its warm sound will counterbalance the Axiom's bright sound.

If, on the other hand, you believe all receivers sound the same and that Axioms are detailed but not bright, you should go with an HK 'cause it has a great new room EQ system and the most flexible bass management.

You can't lose

John (HK630)

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder so to speak.
John(bridgman), nice shamless plug on your hk630. HaHa.

Later,
Mike.(hk230)

It's decided then. I will invest heavily in Harman Kardon stock as soon as possible.