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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

Showing 2 responses by sdcampbell

sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
The Perfect Vision magazine gave a very positive review in its current issue (#35) to the Outlaw Audio 1050 6.1 channel A/V receiver. Outlaw sells via Internet, thereby avoiding middle-man markups. The receiver provides 65 x 5 wpc, and sells for $600. Outlaw's Web address is: www.outlawaudio.com

The current issue of TPV also includes their "Editor's Choice Awards" (aka, "recommended components" list). Their choice of moderate and budget A/V receivers are:
1. Harmon-Kardon AVR 7000 ($1800)
2. NAD T751 ($750)
Both of these receivers were reviewed in Issue #34.
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Plato: In response to Argent's post, you asked if the Adcom GTP-760 has the capability to separately adjust the gain settings for each channel. The answer is yes. The 760 has a built-in balance test generator, and with the use of the Radio Shack analog volume meter you can set the volume levels very precisely. I recently set up my ex-wife HT system which has an Adcom GTP-760, and we were able to get all 5 channels balanced within 0.5 db of each other using only the 760's internal balancing signal. For more info about the GTP-760, see the current issue (#35) of The Perfect Vision magazine (a very positive review).
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