Receivers Compatible with 4 ohm speakers

[GTOhaas07]

I was previously looking at hooking up some def techs to my old technics receiver but it bit the dust before I could upgrade from the ones I had. As a gift for my new apartment my folks gave me their old Norman Laboratories Model Tens. These sounded awesome when I was a kid and my dad had them hooked up to his Phase Linear setup, plus the cabinets are gorgeous. So now I have these awesome speakers that are 4 ohm and I am having a hard time finding a receiver that is capable of working with them.

I would like to incorporate these into a home theater system so I also need the receiver to work with HDMI and the new HD audio signals. So far all I've been able to come up with is use a Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH with pre-outs in conjunction with an amp like the Emotiva UPA-7. Problem is that would put me way out of my price range as I would like to stay below 1000. Is that even possible?

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[lsiberian]

I was previously looking at hooking up some def techs to my old technics receiver but it bit the dust before I could upgrade from the ones I had. As a gift for my new apartment my folks gave me their old Norman Laboratories Model Tens. These sounded awesome when I was a kid and my dad had them hooked up to his Phase Linear setup, plus the cabinets are gorgeous. So now I have these awesome speakers that are 4 ohm and I am having a hard time finding a receiver that is capable of working with them.

I would like to incorporate these into a home theater system so I also need the receiver to work with HDMI and the new HD audio signals. So far all I've been able to come up with is use a Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH with pre-outs in conjunction with an amp like the Emotiva UPA-7. Problem is that would put me way out of my price range as I would like to stay below 1000. Is that even possible?

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Any THX receiver will handle a 4 ohm load. However speakers aren't exactly 4 ohm all the time.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR806B/Onkyo/Tx-sr806-Thx-Ultra2-130w-X-7ch-Hdmi-806-Receiver-Black-Free-Ship-/1.html

Would work just fine for your speakers.

 

[tcarcio]

Look at Yamaha and HK both make recievers that drive 4ohm loads. Your budget will dictate what you get.

 

[GTOhaas07]

Any THX receiver will handle a 4 ohm load. However speakers aren't exactly 4 ohm all the time.

Thanks I really appreciate it.

 

[j_garcia]

For elevated listening levels, not many receivers are truly capable of 4 Ohm operation. For just 2 speakers running 4 Ohms I think most receivers in the $1K range should be plenty for them, however it will depend on other factors such as the sensitivity of the speakers, the size of your room and how loud you listen that ultimately determines if a receiver alone is going to do it for you.

 

[wideyedwanderer]

An alternative is to get a smaller/cheaper receiver with pre-amp outs and get a separate amp that can handle 4 ohms. I've seen a lot more separate amps that can handle 4 ohms -- not as many amps within receivers.

As one of the posts earlier mentioned - the Onk 806 does it (in the HT category). Denon DRA-697CI does it in the stereo category.

 

[lsiberian]

For elevated listening levels, not many receivers are truly capable of 4 Ohm operation. For just 2 speakers running 4 Ohms I think most receivers in the $1K range should be plenty for them, however it will depend on other factors such as the sensitivity of the speakers, the size of your room and how loud you listen that ultimately determines if a receiver alone is going to do it for you.

Not many amps are capable from what I've seen either. But if the OP is good with a soldering iron you could try your hand at building your own amp.

 

[GTOhaas07]

Not many amps are capable from what I've seen either. But if the OP is good with a soldering iron you could try your hand at building your own amp.

I'm okay with soldering, but if it requires any type of mother board you can forget about it. I really wish I knew more about these speakers. All I know is whats printed on the back of them and how good they sound.

Volume isn't really an issue, I live in an apartment complex and can't take the volume up that loud.

 

[skers_54]

You could get a cheaper AVR with pre-outs (like a refurb Marantz from accessories4less) and a pro amp like the Behringer A500. I have one bridged to run my sub and it performs wonderfully. It would have no problem driving your speakers. The only downside to the pro amp route is you have to manually turn it on and off (no 12V trigger).

 

[mthannigan]

I need to replace my Linn AV5125 Power Amp and AV5103 Controller and am having a hard time finding anything compatible with my Linn 6-speaker system.

My old Fujitsu plasma monitor died, so I recently bought a Panasonic TCP50GT50 Viera Plasma SmartTV. I had to connect the TV to the Linn controller via the one digital audio output/input on the TV/Linn, because the Linn has no HDMI inputs/outputs. That works okay, for now. I inherited the Linn system in 2002, and while it sounds fantastic, I want an updated, more streamlined system--something with multiple HDMI inputs, front iphone, usb, HDMI, etc. The thing is, my budget is relatively small (less than $1100 street price) and my Linn speakers are low impedance with high (92db) sensitivity:

2 rear speakers = Input impedance passive 8 ohms; input impedance active 6 ohms treble; 8 ohms bass
2 right/left front speakers = 4 ohms
1 center speaker = 4 ohms
1 subwoofer (self powered)

In my research, I'm finding that many receivers only support the front left and right speakers at 4 ohms. It's very discouraging--I was even considering selling all the Linn stuff, including speakers, and starting over, but those Linn speakers sound so amazing in the room. This is the only room in which I listen to music (streaming from my computer or ipod/iphone or on a few remaining CDs ), watch streaming video via Netflix or my mac, and occasionally via a DVD player or my mac's superdrive. I plan on getting a blue ray player once I settle the amp/receiver issue.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

 

[j_garcia]

In my research, I'm finding that many receivers only support the front left and right speakers at 4 ohms. It's very discouraging--I was even considering selling all the Linn stuff, including speakers, and starting over, but those Linn speakers sound so amazing in the room. This is the only room in which I listen to music (streaming from my computer or ipod/iphone or on a few remaining CDs ), watch streaming video via Netflix or my mac, and occasionally via a DVD player or my mac's superdrive. I plan on getting a blue ray player once I settle the amp/receiver issue.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Yes, my suggestion would be to get a new pre/pro (preamp processor) or receiver with preamp outputs and keep the Linn amp. It appears to use unbalanced (RCA) inputs, so there's no reason you would really need to remove it from the equation if you are happy with it.

 

[mthannigan]

Yes, my suggestion would be to get a new pre/pro (preamp processor) or receiver with preamp outputs and keep the Linn amp. It appears to use unbalanced (RCA) inputs, so there's no reason you would really need to remove it from the equation if you are happy with it.

Well, I was hoping to simplify, and use $$ from sales of the Linn power amp (controller probably won't go for much) towards a new receiver. I don't want to throw good money after bad. Linn doesn't even make this kind of AV equipment any more.

I have to admit, I really don't know much about AV equipment. What does a pre-amp processor do? Is that what Linn calls the "controller"?

Sorry for my ignorance.

 

[j_garcia]

Well, I was hoping to simplify, and use $$ from sales of the Linn power amp (controller probably won't go for much) towards a new receiver. I don't want to throw good money after bad. Linn doesn't even make this kind of AV equipment any more.

I have to admit, I really don't know much about AV equipment. What does a pre-amp processor do? Is that what Linn calls the "controller"?

Sorry for my ignorance.

Yes, the "controller" in this case would be the pre/pro. As you've found, simplifying creates a new issue due to the low impedance speakers. Yes, the Linn setup will sell for more as a set too (pre/pro and amp). What you may also be able to do in this case is to get a less expensive receiver that has preamp outputs and a 2 or 3 channel amp, likely right around your budget point, that will handle the low impedance load of the front 3.

 

[GregLee]

The Pioneer SC-1522-K 9/2 AVR that I have on the way advertises 4 ohm compatibility, and perhaps any other Pioneer with their "D3" amps does, also. The SC-1522 meets your price spec, as currently priced by Amazon.