When I talk about high current amps, I am talking about UL approved designs and labels that specifically state 4, 2 or 1 Ohm as their product capabilities.
Currently NO A/V receivers except for NAD and another (I forget who), are UL approved for 4 ohm's or less.
A few years ago, the high end Denons used to make 5 channel 4 ohm A/V receivers. Sony use to have 4 Ohm standards on their front channels. I have a Pro-Logic receiver with a 4 Ohm rating, and I have been running 4 Ohm speakers off of them for some time. Now almost no designs have the 4 Ohm rating
I beleive this is because the culture of Audio Buyers is to look at the Watts of the system, with very little worry or concern of high current.
Simply put, low current amps are more likely to clip at or bellow their rated wattage when put on speakers that utilize that current. This is because 8 Ohm speakers can dive deep into higher resistance at times. I beleive that a 2 Ohm rated amp with 1000 watts will power your system at a volume level beyond what you are willing to tolerate.
A 2 Ohm rating should meet the needs of 3 speakers at 8 Ohms, and should not cause damage to the receiver. The high wattage value gives you room before you push past the limit, and clip the speakers.
However, If you clip the speakers hard enough, you will find yourself with 6 dead drivers. Replacement for these drivers could cost a large amount of cash.
That is about as much information as we can give you. At this point you simply have to make up your own mind and decide. I wish I could give you a great answer, but their is none. I would personally get the 12 channel amp, then bridge each channel for 6 channels of high power, high current. Then power each speaker individually.
I worry most about the sound quality of these low priced Amps. Price is correlated with quality. Though that definately doesnt mean that there are exceptions. Just look (or do I mean listen) to the current B&W speakers.
Infact the history of Audio has been lined with examples of products that exceed all expectations of the past. About 40 years ago BOSE made a pair of speakers that were so great at the time that their brand value lives on today.
