Hi Bob,
I am using a 9 speaker array with my 5800/03. My main music speakers which include surround B, (all other speakers are off when playing music, particularly dvd-a and sacd in both 2 and mltich mode using pure direct) are Totem Model 1 Signatures which are 4ohm and have a sensitivity of 87 and my brother who sold me his 1yr old 5800 when I promised I'd have it upgraded to 5803 (mostly) status told me he had never tried 4ohm speakers and refused to be responsible if it didn't work out.
All I can say is that there's more than enough power my speakers and the THX Ultra II certification which guarantees that I have 7 separate and distinct 170w amplifiers, 1 per ch also gives me the piece of mind and at the moment I think I can avoid Bi-amping.
Bob, I don't know if your into HIREZ music at all and have read player reviews that suggest that certain combi players are better in one format than another but I'm into it in a big way having about 300 discs in the combination of both formats.
The 5803 (by having 2 full sets of 8ch analogs) has allowed me to pickup discontinued mltidsk players in each format for a song and while everyone is playing with their digitaillia, I've been listening to music comfortable in the belief that the bass management that the 5803 provides is ample for music and that the whole issue is a bit of a red herring, but for those who are sitting on the sidelines waiting for 1 cable solutions tobe rubber stamped by the powers that be, I hope the reward is worth the wait.
One of the other sometimes forgotten features is Dolbyheadfone. At my house the "turn it down" can be heard quite a bit and I remember the shock I experienced while watching a film in DTS one evening when I heard the fateful words and therefore plugged in the fones, at which point I stodd in amazement as I watched the face of the 5803 switch to "DTS + Dolby Headphone".
Anyway, presently all my speaker options are engaged as surround B are taken up by Axiom QS4 dipoles and the effects ports have Monitor Audio Bronze bookshelves. For film all of these speakers are cranked and complimented by an NHT Sub II which has 2 10" drivers a Sunfire 500w amp and go down to 21hz +/- 3.
I'm very pleased with the 5800/03 and although there are many who have the urge to massage their equipment racks with the latest stuff and that can be alot of fun. I've found what makes me happy and I've yet to find anyone (in their right mind) who doen't agree that the 5803 is one hell of a reciever.
Peter m.
