Hey everyone!
Just this past Thursday I was lucky enough to Demo a few diffrent recivers at a dealer that still sells Axioms so I could see how it will sound. Well it was more then just a Recivers demo I got the Rep to do some comparos of a few diffrent speakers..axiom m22ti..axiom m80ti and even some of thos wharadale'seven the evo 8, and 40's all being played through an Onkyo reciver I belive it was the Tx-602 or something like that.
Anyways I was very suprised by the Evo's ,clean open but seemed somewhat limited in the high end, then he switched to the 80's they seemed very BRIGHT in direct comparo but it seemed more refined and more smooth ( maybe less grainy? less coloration?) and as with the 22's they seemed less in your face in the highs vs the 80's. The rep was really pushing the Wharf's, I belive his settings on the reciver were bumped in the low end because when he switched to the 80's they seemed really boomy as did the 22's odd? I thought so. So I asked him to switch to the other reciver on display onther Onkyo..they Axioms sounded even better and the Wharfs sounded almost un-defined and just slopy, not the Evos the Evos remaind tight and controled but the other Whafs like the 9 line, I belive? sounded like a diffrent speaker altogether!
long story short I was really impressed by the sound of this reciver with the Axioms, I am looking at getting a new one..any thoughts on the Onkyo's? Thanks

Sean

Axiom M22ti,VP-150, 2 EP125's, M40 as rears.

Sounds like a settings thing to me. That's the problem with dealer demos--you can't usually set everything up the way you normally would. On the other hand, if the receiver has the features and price you want, go for it!

I listened to the Evo 20's when I was buying 18 mos ago. If it wasn't for Axioms, I would've bought the Evo's. I really liked them.

Been running an Onkyo TX-DS797 (replaced basically by the current 702 model) for 3 years. Not one problem or complaint.

have been reading the threads on here for a long time, seems that everyone on here prefers denon & hk, but i have the onkyo 801 with the m60's, could not be happier, never had any problems with onkyo products. had a heat problem with only 3 inches of clearance on the top (too hot to touch) never shut down though, but moved the shelf to give 6 inches of clearance, have had no problems since. very good products from my experiences......

i have the onkyo 600 (earlier version) its nice but a bit under powered though fine for now if i was buying again i would either get the onkyo 801 or something else witha little more power.
Jake

i have the Onkyo 701, and couldnt be happier with it. has plenty of power and options. has availibility to be a pre/pro if i want to add an amp at a later date. the learning remote is really fantastic, and the owners manual is well written and extensive with information.

being that the newer versions are now avail(602,702,802).. you should be able to find great deals on the 'older' units(601,701,801). dont let the word 'old' bother you.. these are still great units that will give you many years of service.

bigjohn

oh yeah my 600 does not have pre outs that was the other thing i did not like but the sound is great i have been thinking about upgrading to the onkyo 801 $599 @ onecall.com
Jake

the only main difference between the 701 and the 801 is:

801 has 7.1 capabilities, and the 701 only 6.1.
801 has the netcard feature for playing music thru a direct link with your computer, and the 701 does not have that.

if either of those options does not interest you, then just get the 701 and save some cash.

just an idea.

bigjohn

really wpc are the same?

yup.. they are both 100wpc..

trust me, i did extensive research before i purchased.

the 2 diference i mentioned, thats it. so, like i was saying, if you dont want a 7.1 or if you wont hook it up directly to your computer, then the 701 is your ticket.

bigjohn

thanks for the info but just in aquick search it appears that the $599 for the 801 is cheaper than the 701 at about $630 and above does that sound right BJ?

Refurb. 702's are selling at J&R for $400 right now. Just ordered one.

like paul mentioned, you will have to search around for the deals.. the onecall price on that 801 is a 'special' offer. you can find a 701 or 702 elsewhere for cheaper than that, just might not have em at onecall.

i got my 701 last spring at macmall.com. it was a refurb, and i got it for $429 w/full 2 year warrenty. it has no visible defects, and it has worked just fine, and i have had no problems with its performance.

if you look around, i think you might even be able to find a new 701 for that price or less, now that the 702's have come out.

bigjohn