Best receiver match for Bics

[zepsongs]

First post here, hope it's the right forum. Since I'm looking for advice on a receiver I figured this was the right place. After nearly 15 years I've finally gotten the bug to upgrade my HT (must be that modded xbox I've been playing with). I've already got a fairly good idea what I'm looking for, just looking for some input from current equipment owners.

Here's what I have so far:

Fronts - 2 BIC America DV62si speakers $120
Center - 1 BIC America DV-62CLRS $105
Rears - 2 Accoustic Research PS2052 $40
Sub - Accoustic Research PR808 $99

May decide to buy 2 more DV-62CLRS to use as fronts and move the DV62si to the rears. Just want to break them in a bit before I decide to do the crossover mod or not.

Anyway, I figure I'll use my HT for music(rock)/games(xbox)/movies(dvd & divx) in a fairly equal ratio so I'm looking for a receiver that will give me the best of all worlds. I've been reading the forums and found lots of useful information but not exactly what I'm looking for. I've narrowed my receiver choices down to these 3:

Yamaha RX-V657 $297
Pioneer VSX-1015TX $376
Harman Kardon AVR 240 $326
I tried the panny XR55 but found that it lacked several features I thought I could live without but decided I couldn't.

All prices are before tax and sold locally so I need not worry about shipping.

I guess my 2 main questions are which receiver will give me the best sound with my speakers choices and which receiver has the best auto calibration method? I'm more concerned with clarity than how LOUD it can get so I'm looking to hear from members who either currently own or have owned any of the equipment in question.

Thanks to all in advance.

 

[johsti]

I'm using a pioneer 1015 with my BIC's. Before that I used a Pioneer 912. The 1015 is more powerful, and sounds better. The 912 sounded a little thin compared to the 1015.

First and foremost, I'd look for a receiver that has the features and input/outputs you need, and go with it. I've never listened to a yamaha receiver, but I've read that they are brighter sounding. I really like HK which is warmer sounding like the pioneer receivers. The Bic's are bright out of the box, so I'd probably look at the HK's and Pioneers on your list. The auto MCACC on the 1015 works very well.

Any of those receivers on your list should sound great. The Bic's are an efficient speaker that doesn't require crazy amounts of power.

Oh yeah, send those crossovers to Ed Frias if you plan on listening to a lot of music.

 

[zepsongs]

Thanks. I was leaning towards the HK mostly because of price, sound & features. I like that the HK allows me to set the x-over per speaker but the ipod bridge means nothing to me. I've heard many good things about the 1015 here but not much about the HK. I don't plan on going 7.1 so I doubt that the THX certification has any influence on my decision.

I tried the panny XR55 but found it to be too bright for my tastes compared to the old Kenwood I used before that. It's good to hear that the PIO has a warmer tone cos I've always been partial towards Marantz but find them to be a bit out of my budget for the features I am looking for. I must admit though I was leaning towards the HK because I'm told it is more "musical" than the PIO.

Are there any HK users out there with an optinion on this?

As for the Bic crossovers I was thinking of doing them myself. I prefer to tinker with my own toys if you know what I mean ;-)

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I'm more concerned with clarity than how LOUD it can get so I'm looking to hear from members who either currently own or have owned any of the equipment in question.

I'd say you're going to get more clarity out of the 1015 compared to the HK. The HK being more warm will hide the sibalance more than the Pioneer. Check and see if one of those two options has a bit more tone control than just your bass/treble trims. If you buy them locally, why not try both? I'd bring home the HK first to see if it's too warm for your tastes. With the Venturi's being fairly revealing speakers, it may be a perfect match.

 

[Sheep]

Get a receiver that can sufficiently power your speakers to the volume levels you require without compression.

Speakers don't need to break in. Its you breaking into the sound of the speaker.

Also, Yamaha receivers are not bright. It would show up with measurements, and so far, it hasn't.

SheepStar

 

[zepsongs]

Being that tomorrow is Sunday I figure I'll wait & see what goes on sale. I probably will end up bringing both the 240 & 1015 home to see which one I prefer. I was hoping that maybe someone had previously tried the Bics with either receiver & could let me know if they are a good match or not. I certainly was not happy with the sound of the XR55 & really did not want to waste anymore time looking at the wrong receiver. Thanks for all your help.

 

[johsti]

I was hoping that maybe someone had previously tried the Bics with either receiver & could let me know if they are a good match or not.

Well, I think the BIC's and the 1015 make a great match. I'm very happy with how the two sound together.

I've never listened to the BIC's with a yamaha or a HK, but I did own a Cown xls402 power amp for a couple of weeks powering my mains. Crown is made by Harman International, same company as HK. I thought the BIC's sounded slightly more dynamic at very loud volumes with the Crown (260 watts x 2 @ 8ohms). However, I thought that the pio 1015's amp section sounded cleaner. I ended up taking the Crown back because the difference was insignificant.

 

[zepsongs]

I was hearing some good things about the v2500 refurbs at Ubid. Not having done much research on this model yet, does anyone know how it compares to the 1015tx?

 

[johsti]

The 2500 is highly regarded around here. IMHO, It would be considered a step up from the pioneer. the yamaha has all the bells and whistles.

How long did you have the panasonic xr55? I've heard that the digital amps take some time to break-in (50+ hours).

 

[Spiffyfast]

The 2500 is highly regarded around here. IMHO, It would be considered a step up from the pioneer. the yamaha has all the bells and whistles.

How long did you have the panasonic xr55? I've heard that the digital amps take some time to break-in (50+ hours).

a digital amp, ie something with no moving parts, should not have any "break in" associated with it. But I agree with the 2500 being a step up from the 1015tx.
If I would have been able to get the 2500 at current prices I would have jumped at the chance. That being said, the 1015tx is a beast and I have had no problems with it at all. Either way you go I'm sure it will be a huge step up from the panny.

 

[zepsongs]

I had the panny for about 3 weeks. I just was not happy with the sound or features. I put as much time as I could with the unit, probably at least 2 hours each nite during the week & 15 hours each weekend if not more. I even tried it with my old Advent A2000 to make sure it wasn't the speakers. It was a nice unit but I found the sound to be a bit harsh for my tastes. I also wish that I had more control over the tone & settings. For someone who wants to plug & play it should be sufficient but for me I like to tinker & tweak and that is just not possible with the panny.

How is the reliability of the refurbs from ubid? Do you know off hand if the unit still carries the manufactures warrantee? Also, does anyone have any experience with how the Bics may sound with the V2500?

 

[zepsongs]

I also see now that Ubid has the Onkyo NR801 for the same price as the v2500. Any opinions on the Onkyo??