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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
chaskelljr2001's avatar
chaskelljr2001
476 posts
 
Mgs:

Actually, I have. There is an Arcam dealer in my area. I have actually listened to the AVR100 and compared it to the Yamahas listed. And while all three sounded very impressive, I cannot help but to think that the Arcam exhibits a slightly cleaner, detailed and more vivid sound. And that is both in music and movies. That's why I went ahead and made it a new recommendation.

--Charles--
kitch29
316 posts
 
I've owned the Outlaw for almost a year and recommend it over the Denon 3800 and NAD 760 (?). It's much better on 2 channel audio than either in terms of image and timbre. It has all the goodies for setting levels and has the middle surround channel, 6.1. You can also by-pass the DSP's for 2 channel. Like all the others, the speaker terminals are painfully close together and the tuner is weak. I also went through 3 of them before i got one that worked properly but in each case, after a fone call, I had the replacement and a return shipping label the next day. Can't beat it for $600.
mgs
67 posts
 
Charles,

Thanks for the additional info. May I ask what was the 2-channel/HT setup that you heared the Arcam in, i.e., source, speakers, cables..etc.? I don't live too far from an Arcam dealer myself, but I have yet to listen to the unit...

regards,
George
shaqspack's avatar
shaqspack
91 posts
 
Since B&K changed models, you can get a 202 reasonable here on AG. I have B&K Reference Seperates also, and the receiver does a very repectable job. Prior I had a Nakamichi AV-8, which was great compared to the same priced Denon I had before that. So, I recommend a used or closeout B&K 202 or the Nakamichi for real budget conscious. Haven't heard the Outlaw, but everything I read is good.
mmccoy
12 posts
 
I'm one of those that power the front L/R speakers thru a seperate amp, e.g. I use my Harman Kardon AV500 preamp out to a Carver M-400t for front L/R (JBL L100 Centurys) and the HK's own internal 70w/chan power amp to drive the (JBL)center & rears (12" Dahlquist Sub is active).

To balance everything I use a (radio shack) digital sound level meter.

IMHO, this enables me to reach a nice compromise between (2 channel) music and my (5.1 channels) HT needs without having to resort to having/buying two seperate systems.
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