I'm going to be purchasing Axiom Audio's M22ti bookshelves and a HSU STF-2 subwoofer (I think). I'm liking the Onkyo TXSR601 for $399 from JandR.com. Any better suggestions for a <$500 receiver? Thanks.
P.S. Listen to a lot of music in stereo, but want great HT in 5.1 surround as well (trust me, will never need 7.1).
I am considering the same options you are. I also liked the Marantz 5300 available at cambridgesoundworks.com for 499.00 less 10% when you use discount code hifi10. Have you heard the paradigm titans? They're $225 and an amazing little speaker. I never heard the axioms and was considering the 22ti's myself but I loved the titans.
Most of the "experts" ont his board like Marantz better than Onkyo