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Any mid-priced Receivers Worthwhile???

I auditioned an Onkyo Integra DTR-5.1 receiver today, driving small Paradigm satellites with an M&K subwoofer. The system sounded quite good spacially and in terms of its frequency range, but it had a little too much lower-treble presence for my liking. I'd like to take the plunge into surround sound, but so far, all the low and mid-priced receivers I've heard have exhibited this flaw to varying degrees. Right now I have good 2-channel sound using the venerable NAD 3020 integrated amp. I don't want to regret going to 5-channel surround. Perhaps the treble zing was in the speakers and not the Integra, I can't say for sure. So, my question is: are there any mid-priced receivers that won't bore holes through my skull during the length of a 2-hour flick, or can I only achieve natural sounding HT with high-priced gear?? Thanks in advance for any and all insight!
plato
argent
245 posts
 
NAD makes a surround sound receiver. You might want to take a listen, if you like the sound of your integrated amp. Not sure what your budget is. I have a Sony STR-DA777ES. Excellent piece if you can still find one. Sony basically took their separate amp and pre-amp and stuffed it into one box. Sony stopped making it this year in favor of the woefully dissappointing 555. Look at the Denon stuff--again, not sure about your price range, but in my experience most of the Denon stuff is good. I'm not a huge fan of Integra, but everyone seems to love their new top-o-the-line pre-amp/processor. Check out the B&K receiver as well. Some of this stuff is pricey, like the B&K, but you could probably walk away with a decent sounding Denon for under $2000. By the way, are the speakers you listed above yours, or do you have different speakers in your home?
plato OP
1,543 posts
 
Hi Argent,

Thanks for the tips. I am presently using some Yamaha 3-way tower speakers, with aluminum-cone drivers that sound pretty good, though I may get something mo-better. Speakers are not really the problem; finding a good-sounding amp/processor that won't break the budget is my concern. I may stay with my 2-channel rig or maybe go for a preamp/processor like the Adcom GTP-760 and do it right. I have a glut of good amplifiers lying around. Then again, I'd like to keep my HT "clutter" to a minimum because my bi-amped high-end audio system is complicated enough. With a good pre/processor like the GTP-760 is the volume of the respective front, rear, and center-channel speakers independently adjustable (It sure ought to be)? Thanks!
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Some people use an audio amp to power the two front speakers and tbe HT receiver to power the rest. Cheaper solution than a five channel high end amp, or running three 2 channel amps.
plato OP
1,543 posts
 
Sugarbrie,
That sounds intriguing -- how do you control volume to all the channels that way? Do you run the 2-channel preamp outputs (from the HT receiver) into the front high-quality amp and then program the receiver to power the center and surround channels only?
plato OP
1,543 posts
 
Regarding my last post, I think I would sell one of my 2-channel amps and get a 3-channel model, then use a powered sub. I could use a separate preamp/processor to control it all. I would want decent audio quality from the center speaker and surrounds also...
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