Good surround receiver for low-impedance spkrs?

[Capn Haddock]

I am the fortunate owner of MartinLogan SL3s. These speakers are the crown jewels of my system, and I don't hope to improve on them, especially on my "budget".
I have been operating a 2-channel system that has satisfied my audio needs for both stereo and HT. Believe it or not, I have been so content with 2-channel even when watching movies that I haven't considered buying a 5, 6, or 7 channel receiver or separates. Until now.
Here's my problem. My preamp is dead. It's an old Lexicon processor that's long out of warranty and can't be repaired without unreasonable expense. Time to find a replacement.
Now that I am actually considering laying down the plastic and buying a replacement, the idea of surround sound is intriguing. I am now leaning towards a surround receiver, but I am worried. Without spending a mint, how can I find a 5.1-channel receiver that will cheerfully bear the 4ohm (and lower) impedance load of my beloved MartinLogans?
Does anyone have any advice on reasonably-priced receivers (or separates that are just as reasonably priced) that fit the bill? Since I am considering the 5.1 option, I would like to find a receiver that can handle a 4ohm load at every channel, all channels driven.
Please note that despite my tacky brand-name-dropping of "MartinLogan" and "Lexicon", I am no longer in a financial position to consider products at that price point. I'm talking $2000 as the maximum retail price, and I would be a happy man to get away for much less. Does such a product exist?
I'd be grateful for any advice or recommendation. The only music in my house now emits from a Tivoli Audio Model One table radio, which, while completely brilliant in its own way, is just not the same.

 

[Capn Haddock]

BTW, I have done a search of the forums and have come up with some encouraging info regarding this topic. I will continue to review these pertinent contributions, but most of the info isn't exactly current.
I hope that this posting won't incur the scorn of my more-experienced fellow audiophiles or any jagged comparisons to the $2 hamburger humorist. Please accept my apologies in advance if I have bolstered the scourge of redundancy.

 

[Xsound]

There are a couple of options that you have. Outlaw and Adcom produce some beefy receivers that should have no problem with driving your martin logans. I haven't tried any of the NAD products, but one of their claims to fame is that their amps are 4 ohm stable.

Another option would be to buy a relatively inexpensive receiver with pre outs to use as a pre-amp, and then pick up a separate amp. for instance you could find a RX-V2500 from yamaha for about $500 and then add an Adcom 7605 and be less than 2 grand. I believe the Pioneer VSX-1016tx has pre-outs. It is a current model receiver that is available for less than $500 (THX select certification). Pick up a 3 channel receiver like the Adcom GFA-5503. It has 200 watts across 3 channels (You need to get a comparable center channel - preferably a ML that matches the sonic quality of your fronts.) Use the VSX-1016 to drive the surround channels.

Finally, secondact.biz has the Jamo AVR-793 on sale for $299. It says that it will handle 4 ohm speakers. I haven't tried this amp, but the European press seems to like it.

Hope you find something you like.

enjoy,
X

 

[jcPanny]

UL seperates

The UL Pre-pro and amp are new seperates from AV123.com for $1,100. The LPA-1 amp will deliver over 200 Watts into 4 ohms on 6 channels. The pre-pro is geared more towards signal quality than features, but it does include an HDMI switch. The amp would also work well with any receiver used as a pre-pro.
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=processors&product=30.1

Hopefully, we will see an AH review on these soon.

 

[gmichael]

You can pick up a mid level receiver with pre-outs and get an amp cheap off of Ebay. Plenty of brands making good receivers these days. Pioneer, Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, Marantz, Outlaw, NAD, HK, Adcom, and a few I may have left off.

 

[Capn Haddock]

Those are all great tips! I hadn't thought of using a cheaper receiver as a pre. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.