Mid-priced AVR for 4 ohm speakers

[mjcmt]

I'm looking for a mid-priced (<$1K) audio/video receiver to replace an aging Yamaha that I just sold this evening. It was 100 watts x 7 and was just adequate to drive my 87 db, 4 ohm fronts and center in a wide open living/dining/kitchen area.
Sound quality and durability is more important than features as I will only use a dvd (bluray soon) and tv programming. The mid-priced Yamaha's get good reviews for value. I'm intrigued in trying a Marantz as I've never owned that brand. I read a bit of problems with Denons HDMI. I've eliminated Onkyo because of personal prejudice and the durability issues from many users.
I will probably buy a few years old model too.

 

[Jeff R.]

If it was me....I would be looking at a lower end receiver with Pre-Outs and then a reciever to power the 4 ohm load. Maybe an Emotiva XPA-200 for $500, that will give about 240 Watts and then a mid level receiver with the features you desire for around $400. Accessories4less.com should be able to offer something at a reasonable price.

 

[agarwalro]

Jeff's suggestion is on the money.

The speakers and your desire for good quality power will be better served with a 3ch amp for LCR. The receiver's amps, when relieved of LCR duty, will easily drive the surrounds.

 

[j_garcia]

I agree with Jeff also, especially since you are looking used. With an external amp, you can always change out what you are using as a pre to suit your needs. My speakers are 4 Ohm and I found that even my pretty hefty Marantz couldn't handle them at the levels I was after in my large rooms. That being said, I currently run just one pair off my 8300 and it has no issues driving them, but they are also crossed at 80Hz. If you have a large room or more than the two speakers to drive, I'd strongly consider Jeff's recommendation.

 

[mjcmt]

I'm specifically asking about an AVR because my Salamander Synergy rack only has room left for one piece of gear, and it is important to keep everything clean and concealed from view, with lots of open space in the living room.

 

[enrique]

FWIW i'm using a Marantz sr8002 since new driving 4ohm speakers(full setup 5.1) in an aprox 21x22.5 room which is partially open to the kitchen towards the rear without any problems.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm powering my 4ohm/ 85dB/2.83v/m Phil3 speakers with just a Denon 3312. I can play extremely loud music from 25ft away just fine during house parties.

 

[agarwalro]

I'm specifically asking about an AVR because my Salamander Synergy rack only has room left for one piece of gear

Time to upgrade the rack too .

Seriously though, AVR is not the way to go if you truly want sound quality. You will need to go in to the $2000 AVRs to get amps that are in a $500 dedicated amp. If you get an amp like the Emotiva XPA2 or XPA3, no AVR will come close to them. Maybe you can stack two players or a player and the STB to free up a shelf.

 

[agarwalro]

I'm powering my 4ohm/ 85dB/2.83v/m Phil3 speakers with just a Denon 3312. I can play extremely loud music from 25ft away just fine during house parties.

Yes, but you are using the 3312 in stereo. Are you running full range?

Headroom drastically drops when you connect 3 or 5 additional speakers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yes, but you are using the 3312 in stereo. Are you running full range?

Headroom drastically drops when you connect 3 or 5 additional speakers.

Stereo mode 2.1 (4 Velodyne SC600 subs).

 

[j_garcia]

Stereo mode 2.1 (4 Velodyne SC600 subs).

If crossed over as opposed to the mains full range, that would still reduce the strain on the receiver. Not saying an AVR can't drive 4Ohm speakers either, just that it WILL strain it more than a comparable 8 Ohm speaker. I'm doing it too, so it can be done, but my word of caution to the OP is not to push it until you know it can handle it. If my Marantz has a problem with it, I have another external amp I can use instead The OP can also start with an AVR and decide if an amp is appropriate, since the levels listened at currently may not require the kind of headroom the typical AH'ers here often are after. I'd probably be looking at something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Marantz-SR7005-Audio-Video-Receiver/dp/B003R7KMRY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358441938&sr=8-2&keywords=marantz+sr7007

I have a Salamander Synergy rack too (twin 30). Love it. Made room in mine for the amps...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If crossed over as opposed to the mains full range, that would still reduce the strain on the receiver. Not saying an AVR can't drive 4Ohm speakers either, just that it WILL strain it more than a comparable 8 Ohm speaker. I'm doing it too, so it can be done, but my word of caution to the OP is not to push it until you know it can handle it. If my Marantz has a problem with it, I have another external amp I can use instead

I have a Salamander Synergy rack too.

Yeah, I XO @ 80Hz.

So even 5.1/ XO 80Hz, I think a good 80wpc all-ch-driven amp should be fine. I did it with a 50wpc HK AVR running a 5.1 DefTech BP7000SC fronts, CLR3000 center, BP7001SC surrounds. The minimum impedance on those DTs were about 3ohms.

 

[j_garcia]

My A/V-2s drop to 2.6Ohms minimum, but not sure at what frequency (Danny has impedance charts somewhere). If it is enough below the x-over, that may have little effect, plus my speakers are 91dB sensitive which offsets them being low impedance a little bit.

 

[mjcmt]

From the responses it seems they all do adequately w/ 4 ohm speakers but I never pushed it past -5db on the volume readout to be safe. I've had 2 different Yamahas and they drove the speakers but ran rather hot all the time, even when played quietly. To further complicate things I don't use a sub so as not to disturb my townhome neighbors, so more demand is put on the AVR's amp. I guess the best thing is to buy the most powerful AVR I can afford and go for it.

 

[KEW]

I guess the best thing is to buy the most powerful AVR I can afford and go for it.

... and make sure the receiver has pre-outs (it will, at that pricepoint), and keep an eye out for how to work a couple or three channels of amplification into your cabinet if needed.
Consider amps with alternate form factors:
3-5/16" wide monoblock (no longer in production, but ebay seems to have plenty) you can stack several vertically, if it fits your space.
ma-500 marantz | eBay

1.75" tall
Model 2200 Monoblock Power Amplifier

 

[mjcmt]

I changed directions for the time being!

For now I decided to put an avr on the back burner and bought a buying a used power amp capable of 4 ohm loads to go with a preamp for a 2 channel HT system.
Mac C37 preamp, HK870 power amp, Denon 1930 player, Sony 46" LCD TV, as well as the DIY SEAS Froy mk3 speakers.

I tried uploading jpg. photos smaller than the 100kb requirement and they wouldn't upload. Can you help me out so I can post 4 photos?

 

[j_garcia]

Use an online service to host the images such as photobucket, flickr, etc...

 

[mjcmt]

I've never had problems before and my old photos still exist in the download manager, but this time it won't upload them from my computer. Is there a limit to how many I can have? I have 13 old photos. If so I can't seem to delete the old ones to make space for new ones.

 

[moves]

Is it ok to drive 4ohm speakers with an AVR that is not rated for a 4ohm load? I got a Pioneer SC27.. can it drive 4ohms? The specs say only 8hms.

 

[Steve81]

Is it ok to drive 4ohm speakers with an AVR that is not rated for a 4ohm load? I got a Pioneer SC27.. can it drive 4ohms? The specs say only 8hms.

Assuming I'm looking at the right model, it should do alright. It's THX Ultra 2 rated, which allows for a 4 ohm nominal load with a minimum impedance of 3.2 ohms.