Help me spend my money (part II).....

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by callas01

Of the ones listed, Marantz is the best, Esp. for music. Very musical and everyone says that they perform excellently in 2-channel. Movies will be awesome too. Not just that but it would match with your Kef speakers really, really well. I have heard the Kef iQs and XQs and I can attest that they sound great with Marantz. I have heard them with Denon and Pioneer too, and I thought they matched best with the Marantz. I hear that Harman is a good pairing too.

To me the Onkyos would be too harsh for the delicate sound of the Kef, I know you have one now, but to me the lower end onkyos lack detail. Also the Marantz has pre-outs for external amplification later if you choose

Denons are nice, but when directly compared to the Marantz, even tho they are owned by the same company, the Marantz IMO is just a superior overall receiver.

Keep in mind Callas that the Onkyo I pointed to is not a lower end one. Its an upper mid-range receiver that originally retailed for nearly $1000. The 805 did as well. The RC180 at that price is a steal and its more comparable to the Marantz 6003 instead of the 5003. And Callas you are also in the very small minority of people who don't like Onkyo's sound. IMO both the 805 and the RC180 outclass all of the other suggestions so far including the Pioneer I own and recommended. And as a former Harman owner and current Onkyo and Pioneer owner I can attest to Harman's great overall sound, but detail is superior with my Onkyo 605. My Pioneer is more detailed than both.