When I got the Onkyo and hooked it up to the polks there was not one surround mode/setting that even sounded remotely decent. So I assumed the receiver was crappy too to be honest. I then acquired the Tekton Lores and wanted to play them immediately upon purchase to ensure their were no issues with the speakers. The 2 channel audio quality in direct mode versus surround setting/polk set up was night and day. Totally not expected. It’s just musical, detailed…... I’m sure it’s limitations are it the finer details it can’t reproduce versus better gear. But I agree that in surround mode it’s lame
Decent mid fi with Onkyo tax-nr809
I previously owned various brands - Counterpoint, Cary, VTL, Usher Audio, Quicksilver, Mirage, Monarchy Audio, Doge….. and more. Sold it all years back and wanted to get back in recently but on a strict budget. So I acquired an older Onkyo tx-nr809 home theater receiver for $150. Retailed about $1100 when new. Added an older Nad dvd/cd player for $50, a $150 Schiit Modi dac. Tried a Polk Rt/Cs surround set up. Well sounded like crap to be honest. Swapped out the polks and got a pair of Tekton Lore speakers for $500. Running the Onkyo in pure direct mode - 2 channel which bypasses all the surround processing, room correction, and tone controls. All I can say is wow!!!! Not quite at the level of some of my prior set ups and equipment but honestly much closer than I would have imagined. Don’t over look some of the older higher end surround receivers repurposed for a 2 channel up. An excellent value !!!! Anyone else taking this approach???