4ohm Speakers...what receiver or separates $3,500??

[Isola]

Newbie here. I've been lurking and growing my knowledge base for the past 6 months. I love the site...wife hates it.

I've decided on my HT speaker set-up. Dynaudio Focus Series. 220s F, 200 C and 140s S. Not sure about the Dyn 250 Sub? Looking at the SVS PB12-ISD/V. I want a kid friendly downward firing.

These are 4ohm speakers that I've heard are tough to drive. I've read a post that stated that you need a good quality amp that is very clean/fast with good control.

My room is 16x24. System will be 70% Movies 30% Music. Total Budget $3,500.

My question should I go with an A/V receiver or separates? Is there any A/V receiver that can drive these 4-ohm speakers alone? I'm thinking of going the separates route, so with my budget, I'm in the "high quality at a great value" brand range. I've been looking at the Outlaw 990/7700 combo? The 7700 is new. No reviews. I love the review on the Emotiva MPS-1. I was thinking Outlaw 990/ Emotiva MPS-1. Should I not mix these brands? I could go new or used. Any other brand recommendations that you feel could drive the Dyns??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[zumbo]

I have all 4-ohm speakers. I use a Yamaha receiver, with a 5-channel Adcom amp. Have you seen this? http://www.adcom.com/newproducts/gfr700ii.htm

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-125,6-9&menu=true&id=29749

 

[j_garcia]

I would say a receiver as a pre with a good amp or any of the separates you mentioned. Not too many receivers in your price range, but any that are, are likely to handle 4 Ohm loads. I don't see why combining the MPS-1 with another amp would be a problem, but don't you get a better deal if you buy the MPS and the amp together? Most 4 Ohm speakers will tend to strain an average receiver. My speakers are all 4 Ohm also and I had to add monoblocks to help out.

 

[Isola]

Sorry...Got home from work and had to do the family thing.

Zumbo - I've looked at the Adcom 6FR-700. I like the HDMI, but no balanced outputs. That is why I'm leaning towards the Outlaw 990 even though it has DVI.

j_garcia - The Emotiva MPS-1 is an Amp. I was woundering what people thought about mixing the Outlaw 990 Pre-amp/Processor with the Emotiva MPS-1 amp? The Outlaw 7700 amp is new. I might wait for some reviews.

I've also thought about the Emotiva DCM-1 Pre-Amp/Processor and the Emotiva-1 7 Channel amp. They are on sale at AV123 for $4,299, but above my budget and the DMC-1 has no HDMI or DVI.

My set-up will be a 5.1, but was thinking about getting a 7 channel amp now for future upgrades. Would it hurt a 7 channel amp if I only used 5 of the channels? Also any other recomendations on my $3,500 budget to drive Dynaudio Speakers?

Thanks

 

[mtrycrafts]

Newbie here. I've been lurking and growing my knowledge base for the past 6 months. I love the site...wife hates it.

I've decided on my HT speaker set-up. Dynaudio Focus Series. 220s F, 200 C and 140s S. Not sure about the Dyn 250 Sub? Looking at the SVS PB12-ISD/V. I want a kid friendly downward firing.

These are 4ohm speakers that I've heard are tough to drive. I've read a post that stated that you need a good quality amp that is very clean/fast with good control.

My room is 16x24. System will be 70% Movies 30% Music. Total Budget $3,500.

My question should I go with an A/V receiver or separates? Is there any A/V receiver that can drive these 4-ohm speakers alone? I'm thinking of going the separates route, so with my budget, I'm in the "high quality at a great value" brand range. I've been looking at the Outlaw 990/7700 combo? The 7700 is new. No reviews. I love the review on the Emotiva MPS-1. I was thinking Outlaw 990/ Emotiva MPS-1. Should I not mix these brands? I could go new or used. Any other brand recommendations that you feel could drive the Dyns??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Another alternative:
A receiver that meets your basic input output processing needs, excluding the amp section. The, 5 Behringer A500 bridged, $180 per channel and it delivers the power to the 4 ohms, lots of it. This amp was discussed at length on the amp board.

 

[WmAx]

Another alternative:
A receiver that meets your basic input output processing needs, excluding the amp section. The, 5 Behringer A500 bridged, $180 per channel and it delivers the power to the 4 ohms, lots of it. This amp was discussed at length on the amp board.

A500 is specified at minimum 8 ohms nominal in bridged mode by the manufacturer.

-Chris

 

[Takeereasy]

Have you considered the Denon 5805? Dakmart has refurbs for $3700. There is a review of this unit on the site and it is supposedly just a killer unit. http://dakmart.com/website/ItemDetail.asp?ItemId=42120&cID=111

 

[Isola]

That 5805 is a beast, but I think it is to much for a newbie like myself. I looked at the spec. sheet and I don't believe that it would drive 4 ohm speakers by itself?

 

[j_garcia]

j_garcia - The Emotiva MPS-1 is an Amp. I was woundering what people thought about mixing the Outlaw 990 Pre-amp/Processor with the Emotiva MPS-1 amp? The Outlaw 7700 amp is new. I might wait for some reviews.

Sorry, wasn't looking at the Onyx stuff to see which was which, but there's no reason why you couldn't mix/match between them and Outlaw. I don't think you have too much to worry about with the Outlaw amps.

I've also thought about the Emotiva DCM-1 Pre-Amp/Processor and the Emotiva-1 7 Channel amp. They are on sale at AV123 for $4,299, but above my budget and the DMC-1 has no HDMI or DVI.

What about the 990 with their monoblocks? That will be an absolute ton of power. Downside = space and lots of power cords.

IMO, I'd actually say something like the 4806 with either a 2ch or 3ch amp or monoblocks, or even a 3806 with amps, should be able to handle what you're looking to do.

Others you might want to look at = Rotel, B&K, Arcam, Anthem, NAD.

Just saw this in another thread: http://www.prillaman.net/950_chart.html

 

[Isola]

j_garcia - Thanks for the info. and advice!!

I know the wife wont go for the monoblocks. I'll check out the other brands you listed. Thanks for the link. I'm still such a newbie at all this!

 

[j_garcia]

All my speaekers are 4 Ohm and my 8300 is rated for 6 Ohm only. Just by using monoblocks for the mains (or you could also use a 2ch amp), so the receiver doesn't have to drive all of them, I don't have any issues with power even at very elevated levels. Prior to the monoblocks, I could hear the strain on the receiver. The benefit of monoblocks is each speaker should have all the power it needs, independent of the others, but even a 2ch amp will help because it is taking that load off the receiver. Most of your demand is generally coming from the front 3, so that is where you want to focus on getting the power

 

[zumbo]

Zumbo - I've looked at the Adcom 6FR-700. I like the HDMI, but no balanced outputs. That is why I'm leaning towards the Outlaw 990 even though it has DVI.Thanks

That Adcom is a receiver. The Outlaw is a preamp. Why would you need balanced outputs? It will have all the power you need. Look again:
http://www.adcom.com/newproducts/gfr700ii.htm

 

[mlhrh]

for what it is worth. I am using a Yamaha z9 with full Triad Silver package, which are all 4 ohm according to manuals, and presence speakers. Even with prolonged volumes at 10+ db (starting at -79 db on its display), the yamaha has no problems...I gather the triads are fairly efficient, though. As I recall, the z9 was 3400 dollars at Vann's about 8 months ago.

 

[Isola]

Zumbo - You are right about the Adcom! It may be just what I'm looking for?

Thanks for for your help.

 

[mtrycrafts]

A500 is specified at minimum 8 ohms nominal in bridged mode by the manufacturer.

-Chris

Thanks. I guess it is not rated in 4 ohms bridged mode.

 

[merv43]

You might want to also check into Rotel, they have some great sounding amps as well as ht pre's. Thier amps will handel 4 ohm loads quiet will. I was lucky to find a Classe amp for my B&W speakers and wow is it incredible. There is absolutly a difference in sonic signiture of amps, I have had a few and they can be very different depending on the quality of the speakers. The dyno's are great speakers, make sure you don't sacrafice sound quality without trying several amps with your speakers. You may want to save a little longer and get a quality amp for them.This is where audio gets fun. Good luck.

 

[jcPanny]

Emotiva on sale

If you are considering the Emotiva MPS-1, you might consider jumping on their current promotion. Purchase the 5-7 channel MPS-1 for $2K and you can buy the new Ultralite Pre-amp for $99. They even plan to have an HDMI switching solution for the ultralite for about $100.
http://www.av123.com/specials.php

If you don't love the pre-amp, you can sell it here or on ebay for a profit and pick up a Yamaha, Denon, Oultaw, etc.