Receiver for Axiom M80's

[mdrew]

Hello again.

Well the Axiom 60 or 80's are on my short list for the new stereo system. There's others, but for the sake of picking a receiver, I need to find one that will drive the 80's, and if I go with a different speaker, I'm pretty sure I'll be OK.

I spoke with Axiom Tech help today. He was a very courteous and knowledgeable fella, I should add. Well, compared to me he sure was anyway- the knowledgeable part. Anyway, he recommended that I go with Denon, Harman / Kardon or NAD. He also recommended that I look for at least 100 watts at 4 ohms.

I have been looking at Pioneer and Yamaha, but he told me they couldn't keep up with the 80', so they're out. Same with the Onkyo.

So keeping his recommendations in mind, could y'all shed some light on the pro's / con's of the three brands that Axiom recommended? Specific models that you think would work for me? One particular attribute I am looking for is the ability to have more than one zone. My HT is in one room, while these speakers will be in another room.

Thanks in advance for your input. ........mike

Oh yeah, to narrow it down some, $1000 is my limit.

 

[oogjen]

Hey mdrew, you replied in a thread I started a couple of days ago about the Denon 3805 and the Axiom M80's. If you like your music loud and clean, the 3805 doesn't have enough power to push the M80's unless you bi-amp them. Therefore, you won't be able to have a zone 2 powered by the 3805. You might want to look into the M60's, it sounds like the don't need as much power to push them. Other than the power issue with the M80's, the 3805 is a great receiver for HT and music.

 

[nm2285]

If it wasn't explained to you by Axiom, the reason they recommend those brands is power. Yamaha and Pioneer (especially their lower lines) can be bit weak on power even if their stats are comparable. Doubtful that either of these brands would be able to sufficiently handle a 4ohm load.

Denon's power tends to be pretty accurately rated. Harman/Kardon's tends to be underrated. However, not many of their receivers are specifically rated at 4 ohms. NAD on the other hand always has very robust power supplies that are often rated to as low as 2 ohms.

Since you're going stereo, check out the NAD C370 (older), C372, C350, C352. I own the C370 and am powering inefficient 8ohm speakers and it hardly gets warm. It's also rated down to 2 ohms. NAD is the best bet by far.

 

[mdrew]

Thanks for your replies fellas.

After more surfing here, contemplation, head scratching, pondering, headaches and several beers, I've narrowed it down to four receivers. I'm bummed the 3805 doesn't drive the 80's without bi-amping, that makes me wonder about buying it all. But it's still on my list!

Some feedback from y'all about these receivers would be appreciated. I'm going dizzy reading all the specs. They all look the same to me.

Denon 3805
HK 7200
HK 7300
NAD 763

I can get all of these for under $1000. The NAD 763 and HK 7300 are both factory reconditioned. I've been able to locate the other two at on-line authorized dealers new.

 

[Justin D]

mdrew,
There's a great (and very long) thread at AVS about using pro amps in your home system. It seems these guys are getting good results and have power to spare. If you decide to go this route you could get a cheaper Denon or H/K and pair it with a pro amp. Check it out if you have time.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=418666

FYI, there's at least one guy there running axioms with a Denon 3805 and pro amp.

 

[nm2285]

From your list, the NAD obviously gets my vote. However, I think you'd be well off with the H/K as well. You may want to check into H/K's new all digital receiver as well. Use your ears!

 

[mdrew]

The pro amp looks like an option worth concidering. Thanks.

Unfortunately, I live in a rural area of Alaska. Nothing to listen to. The closest city is 300 miles away and the TWO sound shops there do not have much of an inventory or brand selection. One is set up with some high end McIntosh stuff that's way out of my price range, the other has high end Rotel that again, is way out of my price range. Neither has HK or Denon that I can listen to.

 

[mdrew]

Thanks to you all for your help. I just ordered the HK 7200 from One Call with the HK Remote IR sensor. All of it shipped to Alaska, Fed-X 2nd day was $1015. The shipping was $100.

Monday I'm ordering the Axiom M80's and a set of the Onyx Rocket 750's. I'm going to listen to them both for a couple weeks and send the runner up back.

.........mike

 

[BuddTX]

Mdrew,

Alaska in the winter, with nothing but a state of the art HT system! Sounds like fun!

PLEASE PLEASE let us know how your 3805 and M80's sound.

Interesting that you chose the Axiom M80's AND the Onyx Rocket 750's. Interesting combo.

I am leaning towards the M80's and a receiver and seperate amps for the L-R-Center speakers, and the 3805 is on my finalist list.

I hear that a lot of people in Alaska are very serious about their flashlights. Meet thousands of people that also take their Flashlights very seriously!