has anybody ever compare the two? I'll use it solely for music and occationally movie, which one would you chose and why? both cost about the same but the TX-SR601 seems like a better bang for the buck, 85w x6 vs HK's 120w x2. Though to run on Stereo mode plus a sub I would assume the HK3480 would sound much cleaner and blow the TX-SR601 out of the water? Axiom M2i will be use for main speakers.
Benjamin: I've only compared them via the specifications and haven't listend to them personally, so take this as opinion only.
The H/K 3480 is going to blow the socks off the Onkyo TX-SR601 anyhow. I think the H/K -- musically -- outshines the Onkyo because it is laid back and rather neutral.
It's just tough to compare a multi-channel amplifier (SR601) to a stereo amplifier (H/K 3480). It's unfair to tell you the truth. The H/K 3840, while rated at 120W x 2, will certainly give you much more than that before clipping (and/or 1.0% THD). H/K amplifier sections are underrated and are usually twice the advertised wattage than their competitors (Sony amongst the worse).
If you really only need stereo and don't need matrixed surround (Dolby Digital, DTS, etc), you may want to go with the H/K 3380 which is 80W x 2 in stereo. It would still blow the socks off the Onkyo TX-SR601 in stereo modes.
Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. Please try to audition these two excellent receivers -- in each their own right -- yourself. Preferably in your own home with your own speakers and your own music.
If you need just stereo then you buy just stereo. The H/K will be a much better choice, although you should get a good DVD-player with it because the DA-conversion will be done in the player instead of the amp.
ok, then I'll shoot down the Onkyo and go H/K, being able to hook up an additional sub to the H/K is a big plus as I can use the setup to watch movie sometime, I could care less about surround and all that jazz as well. I wonder how well does it handle mp3 when I hook it up to my computer, have a Soundblaster Live 5.1 soundcard....
what kind of dvd-player do you guys recommmend to go along with it? I want something simple and don't need any bell and whistle like the recording feature or the changer.
ok, then I'll shoot down the Onkyo and go H/K, being able to hook up an additional sub to the H/K is a big plus as I can use the setup to watch movie sometime, I could care less about surround and all that jazz as well. I wonder how well does it handle mp3 when I hook it up to my computer, have a Soundblaster Live 5.1 soundcard....
what kind of dvd-player do you guys recommmend to go along with it? I want something simple and don't need any bell and whistle like the recording feature or the changer.