dr.hugme

Do you have another AVR you can try. If not Best buy gives you a 30 day return policy. Connect the amp to the AVR and see if you are getting the hiss from it. ( meaning the pre-outs of the onkyo etc... AVR) 1) if you are it is possible the AVR you have is giving the hiss and the Emo is just amplifying it. 2) if you are still getting the hiss the amp should go back. FYI,I am running a XPA5 with a Pioneer and i have tried it with a sony Elite and no hiss from it till volume is at -13 at 1 foot. I however sit 18-25 feet back. so to me this isnt an issue. by the way my pioneer with no amp i can hear the hiss at the same -13 at 1 foot.

I was wondering if any one has any experiance running their Klipsch Refrence speakers off the Anthem MRX and how they liked the 2 channel and surround sound. after using the Auto room calibration. Also what were you using before egOnkyo/Denon Audyssey xt32 Yamaha YPAO. The one review used a MRX500 http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/component/content/article/1315.html?start=4

Is it the sound that you don't like? or the features?

Thats How I felt when I went to Onkyo too. The HT was great but 2 channel sucked! and my uses are 50/50 HT/2channel. I tried a 801 (still own) and a 805 it sounded better for HT but 2 channel was still simular. The yamaha I found was to bright with the RF5's ( I tried the 1900) the New klipsch RF-82 ,I found sounded really good with the Yamaha in comparison. HK... I read too many issues and they hadn't switched to the newer formatts at the time... since then I don't know I would have to get one and listen. (Note this pertains to the RF-5's not the RF 62/82 series)

I agree I was reading the post and then I started to belive the comparison was between the 606 and 805. Still I think like you, The onkyo is mediocre sound wise.

my mistake

You will here very little differance. The upgrade will give you 1)features 2) connection options. The onkyo's have a sound signature think as an accent. They are not changeing this as this is what people want. Pioneer, onkyo, yamaha, Rotel, B&K some times they do a change up. but then you here big time about it. eg. Pioneer SC-05/07 are not the same sounding... If you don't like the sound signature from the receiver it is time to move on.

If you are not satisfied with 602 sound quality you are getting now, it will not change that much all you will have is more power maybe a little cleaner I think the onkyo doesn't sound good with klipsch. except for movies!! ( This is a result of the Preamp in the onkyo ) what people call the signature sound of onkyo. If you want better sound you will have to look elseware or do a major Jump to the (906 and still i think it may have the same sonic characteristics) My advise try the Pioneer, Denon, Sony, it may not have the brute power as the onkyo. But you don't need 120 watts for klipsch. Friendly advise.

Well I have been convinced by all who have posted and I think that i will be going out to listen to the marantz, Sony ES too bad 4400 isn't out yet and the Yamaha 1800/3800 I did a listen to the Denon and it was too laid back and lacked the detail. it wasn't the 3808 but a 1906 theirs a dealer an hour from me, they sell Denon, Yamaha, Marantz and Klipsch no Sony ES. ( I guess I could't get better luck than this.) I will post what I find. Thanks to Every one who has posted and Please keep posting. I wish I had done this when I first got my AV receiver.

I have to LOL !!!! That was a good one..

Why don't a lot of klipsh users use sony receivers? is it a hit or miss thing.... I don't care what brand it is I just want it to be good at both 2 channel and HT. Denon, yamaha, Sony ES

oldbuckster Thanks for all the help I know the Yamaha 1800 and 3800 seem nice but i was wondering am i just paying for features at that price. or could i go lower and still get the same sound quality. the second thing i was wondering is how they compare with the RF5's vs the newer ones. as pointed out the newer line sounds different When you decided on the yamaha did you compare it to the Denon? Sorry for all the questions...

Yea i was looking at the sony ES 4400 that is comming out. not the regular line

I guess the problem is I can't demo the different receivers at the dealers because the new stuff is what they are using. I had the chance to demo the yamaha 1800 vs the pioneer elite 91 and i prefered the 1800 i know it's not the 94 or 92 but it didn't seem as clean sounding the highs were rolled off. The Denon will be my next test as their is a dealer that carries it and klipsch also. I know you have to listen before you buy I just want to make sure the list is short for auditioning. I also notice a lot of rotel and klipsch are a good match... but i would prefer the lower budget of the receiver and the newest options. at least for now.

It seems the yamaha's are winning; but what would the rotel give me over the yamaha? ( seeing how the sony looks like a bad choice) I guess what I am saying how would the sound be compared to the yamaha.? I noticed it is a lot more to go the seperates route. would you say buy the yamaha and get the Rotel 5 channel power amp later.?? Thanks