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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
plato OP
1,543 posts
 
Guys,

Many thanks for the interest and for all the great suggestions. I'm going to put the NAD T751 on my short list as well. Charles, I've had the opportunity to hear the NAD 3020 with a lot of different equipment and it has never failed to exceed my expectations. It's really a great little piece. In my HT system I have a Pioneer DV333 DVD player, a Hitachi 43" HDTV-ready rear projection TV, and a pair of Yamaha NS-A100XT 3-way tower speakers with two 6.5" woofers, 4" midrange and aluminum-dome tweeter (all aluminum-cone drivers with butyl surrounds). They seem to do a nice enough job considering their cheap $299/pr price -- tight punchy bass & a crisp, smooth, detailed mid-top. My main stereo speakers are the InnerSound Eros ESL hybrids, so I do have a decent point of reference. Happy Easter to All!!!
ehider
286 posts
 
I am an ultra high end guy that is just starting to dabble in home theater. For starters I bought an Outlaw reciever, and am quite impressed with its sound at the under $1000 price point. I'm not sure that there are ANY japanese offering that are less harsh sounding at this price point. I strongly suggest ordering one, and doing an a/b test against some other recievers. You can always return it within the 30 day trial period. (Mid-fi home theater chains offer the same sort of return policies. This would allow you to not make any mistakes trying to get the level of sound quality that you are looking for, without making an unfortunate purchace)
mgs
67 posts
 
Chaskelljr2001,

I noticed that you have listed the Arcam AVR100 as one of your recommendation. Have you had a chance to listen and compare the unit with other receives in Arcam's price range?
chaskelljr2001's avatar
chaskelljr2001
476 posts
 
Mgs:

Actually, I have. There is an Arcam dealer in my area. I have actually listened to the AVR100 and compared it to the Yamahas listed. And while all three sounded very impressive, I cannot help but to think that the Arcam exhibits a slightly cleaner, detailed and more vivid sound. And that is both in music and movies. That's why I went ahead and made it a new recommendation.

--Charles--
kitch29
316 posts
 
I've owned the Outlaw for almost a year and recommend it over the Denon 3800 and NAD 760 (?). It's much better on 2 channel audio than either in terms of image and timbre. It has all the goodies for setting levels and has the middle surround channel, 6.1. You can also by-pass the DSP's for 2 channel. Like all the others, the speaker terminals are painfully close together and the tuner is weak. I also went through 3 of them before i got one that worked properly but in each case, after a fone call, I had the replacement and a return shipping label the next day. Can't beat it for $600.
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