Painter:
I will also have to concur with "Pe3046" when it comes to what type of system you are trying to put together with in reference to what type of electronics you are currently using. If this is going to be a mostly music system, then while your speakers and source (for now) appears to be fine, I cannot help but wonder why would you be using an a/v receiver to anchor your music system??? In such a system, I think that either an two channel integrated amplifier (from the likes of Arcam, Creek, or Rotel) or a "entry-level" preamp/power amplifier setup (from the likes of Adcom, NAD, Parasound, or Rotel) would make better sense. With exception to my preamp (I own the flagship Adcom GFP-750), my own amplifier (an Adcom GFA-545 MkII that is of 1991 vintage) is in the same price class as one you should be considering for your system as well. A change in cable wouldn't hurt matters much either. I currently use MIT cables (MITerminator 2 and MITerminator 3 Interconnects with MITerminator 2 Speaker Cables) in my system as well. With a few exceptions, a/v receivers are fantastic for movies, but they would be the last things I would pick if I am assembling a music system. But now, if this is going to be more of a movie system than a music system, then the choice to use a receiver becomes more valid then.
And by the way, how is that Apex DVD Player holding up??? If I am purchasing a cheap dvd player, I would think that Toshiba or Sony would make better choices as well.
And lastly, make sure your speakers are wired "in phase" before making any quick judgements. If they sound muffled and closed in, it could be that your system is "out of phase" as well. This can be easily corrected by making sure your amplifier terminals match up with your speaker terminals when you are connecting them together (i.e.: red terminal from receiver to red terminal at the speaker, and black terminal from receiver to black terminal at the speaker).
Check your connections first. If they seem to be intact, then I would check all of my equipment after that.
Good Luck........
--Charles--
I will also have to concur with "Pe3046" when it comes to what type of system you are trying to put together with in reference to what type of electronics you are currently using. If this is going to be a mostly music system, then while your speakers and source (for now) appears to be fine, I cannot help but wonder why would you be using an a/v receiver to anchor your music system??? In such a system, I think that either an two channel integrated amplifier (from the likes of Arcam, Creek, or Rotel) or a "entry-level" preamp/power amplifier setup (from the likes of Adcom, NAD, Parasound, or Rotel) would make better sense. With exception to my preamp (I own the flagship Adcom GFP-750), my own amplifier (an Adcom GFA-545 MkII that is of 1991 vintage) is in the same price class as one you should be considering for your system as well. A change in cable wouldn't hurt matters much either. I currently use MIT cables (MITerminator 2 and MITerminator 3 Interconnects with MITerminator 2 Speaker Cables) in my system as well. With a few exceptions, a/v receivers are fantastic for movies, but they would be the last things I would pick if I am assembling a music system. But now, if this is going to be more of a movie system than a music system, then the choice to use a receiver becomes more valid then.
And by the way, how is that Apex DVD Player holding up??? If I am purchasing a cheap dvd player, I would think that Toshiba or Sony would make better choices as well.
And lastly, make sure your speakers are wired "in phase" before making any quick judgements. If they sound muffled and closed in, it could be that your system is "out of phase" as well. This can be easily corrected by making sure your amplifier terminals match up with your speaker terminals when you are connecting them together (i.e.: red terminal from receiver to red terminal at the speaker, and black terminal from receiver to black terminal at the speaker).
Check your connections first. If they seem to be intact, then I would check all of my equipment after that.
Good Luck........
--Charles--