receiver help - 4 ohms

[Midcow2]

some specific answers

That is right, I want an amp that can comfortably handle the load.

For just the receiver, my budget is $1-2k. Any recommendations on a specific Denon, Marantz and Rotel receiver?

I currently have a Denon 2805. could I use this to power the fronts and then get an amp to power the rest of the 7.1?

thanks!

Okay here are some specific answers:

Denon AVR-3808CI 130 watts per channel High current receiver that can support 4 ohms as low as $1,255,48 most prices around $1,699
http://www.gosale.com/4936005/denon-avr-3808ci-71-channel?gclid=CNuItIzQr5gCFSMSagodAWnyUg


Marantz SR8002 145 watts per channel current feedback, should be able to drive 4 ohms. as low as $1249.99
http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=Marantz+SR8002+price&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

Rotel RSX-1057 75 watts per channel $1299 not enough power
Rotel RSX-1067 100 watts per channel $2199 barely enoough power
http://www.listenup.com/lu/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RSX1067&Category_Code=49908&Store_Code=l


Alternative: power amp to drive the new speakers Behringer EP2500 as low as $295 up to $499.99 http://www.djdeals.com/behringerEP2500.htm

You could connect the pre-outs of your current receiver, Denon 2805 to Behringer and easly drive new speakers.

Or you could get a differnet new receiver that had less power or didn't need high current.

Other receivers to consider are Onkyo and Yamaha.


Bottom line: Since you are already familiar with Denon, the Denon AVR-3808CI would probably make you the happiest!

Good luck!

MidCow2

 

[Soundman]

No, I haven't heard them. But they seem like they are such a good bang for the buck! It will cost me a lot more to get a similar sounding Dynaudio, B&W or Paradigm...right? Which of these would be comparable to the M60's or M80's?

That being said...Axiom has a nice return policy...I can try them out and return them.

They are a good bang for the buck speaker, a good value, but just make sure you like them and listen to them alot with lots of different types of material before you seal the deal. If you're going the ID route, you might also want to consider Ascend, Aperion, AV123, Swan, SVS, just to name a few, they all offer a great value, but they all have a different sound too.

What I really would like to know is the Marantz or Rotel any better than the Denon...or am i paying for the name?

I would consider all of them good midrange gear and certainly wouldn't pay for the name. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the same parent company owns Denon and Marantz.

 

[parinshah]

I generally play music from my mac and stream it to my receiver via an airport express. For multi-room distribution, has anyone had any experience with the Sonos product?

Also, if Denon, Marantz, Rotel are midrange...what is the next step up? Besides power what else would that bring to the table?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Hard to call a 5308 a midrange

Also, if Denon, Marantz, Rotel are midrange...what is the next step up? Besides power what else would that bring to the table?

 

[Soundman]

I generally play music from my mac and stream it to my receiver via an airport express. For multi-room distribution, has anyone had any experience with the Sonos product?

Also, if Denon, Marantz, Rotel are midrange...what is the next step up? Besides power what else would that bring to the table?

Some people like the signature sound of some of the higher end products like Krell, Briston, and MacIntosh, but personally at that point I think you are just paying for the name. I mean, I've seen some amps listed for $50,000! It's not worth it to me and you may not notice a difference anyway. In fact, there are some that claim you can get just as good performance from the much cheaper pro audio gear.

 

[parinshah]

Thanks so much for everyone's help. I think I got what I need from this post.
I will start a new post on Sono's.

 

[Soundman]

Hard to call a 5308 a midrange

I suppose. I mean, for $5,000, it's not a cheap receiver by no means. It has probably every feature you could want. It has a decent amp section as well, but I've seen better.

 

[captiankirk28]

I also was in the same boat as you not long ago, i have the SVS MTS-01 and after the crossover upgrade they are a bit harder to drive, but i had bought the Pioneer Elite VSX-94X and that is supposed to have a great amp in it and was told that is all i would need but let me tell you if you are going to play your music loud at all dont trust a AVR for your power, i blew a few tweeters because i thought i had a good AVR that would handle them and it was $1500 AVR so it was not cheap.

I bought a Emotiva XPA-3 to run my front sound stage and now my system sounds great and i dont have any problems, not to mention the better over all sound and puncher bass i get from the Emotiva.

I just thought i would share my journey of getting the sound i wanted and the problems i had getting there. I am just glade i had a speaker company that stood behind their speakers even though it was my amp clipping that was blowing the tweeters.

Kirk

 

[parinshah]

Denon, Marantz, Rotel

Even if I did get separates like everyone suggests, I still need HDMI inputs and would need to upgrade my receiver.

OK...so....Denon 3805 vs. Rotel RSP 1560 vs. Marantz SR8002, any thoughts on which is better?

 

[3db]

How does the Emotiva compare to the Outlaw Monoblocks? This way he can buy as many channels one at a time as is needed.

http://outlawaudio.com/products/2200.html

 

[3db]

I recommend that you look at buying a relatively inexpensive receiver with preamplifier outputs, and buy a separate power amp (or amps). Don't simply buy a receiver that the manufacturer claims is "high current", as that is a marketing phrase that has no real significance, as it is sometimes on equipment that is not intended for 4 ohm speakers. You want something rated for 4 ohm speakers, and if you want that to happen with surround channels, you are probably best off with a separate amplifier.

The question, as posited, may be asking for something that does not exist. I know of no receiver at that price point that is rated for all channels driving 4 ohm speakers, though, of course, I do not happen to know the specifications of every receiver on the market. If it is just the front right and left channels that need to be rated to handle 4 ohm speakers, most of the receivers in that price range probably would qualify, though I would prefer to use a separate amp anyway if I were going to listen very, very loud. But since the Axiom M-80 v2 is very efficient, if they have not misrated the impedance, they are probably okay with just about any receiver in that price range.

An inexpensive 2 channel amplifier like the Behringer A500 might be good insurance against damaging one's receiver with a low impedance:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17004&highlight=behringer

NAD is 4 ohm stable more so than Denon or Yamaha

 

[Midcow2]

I vote for Marantz SR8002

Even if I did get separates like everyone suggests, I still need HDMI inputs and would need to upgrade my receiver.

OK...so....Denon 3805 vs. Rotel RSP 1560 vs. Marantz SR8002, any thoughts on which is better?

You could go component output for video (same PQ) and RCA for audio; you don't have to go HDMI.

From personnel experience the Marantz SR8002 is awesome. However, it is weak on upconverting video if that is what you need; it supports 10980p sources and passthrough , but only upconverts to 480p. If you have satellite and BD input this isn't a problem.

In your list, while priced higher, the Rotel is underpowered unless are considering a separate power amp for your front speakers.

Again, if you already like Denon then the 3808 is a good upgrade.

The three you have listed are some of the best choices in the $1,500 -$2,000 price range.


Another three to consider around $2000, to confuse the issue ( sorry) are the Onkyo TX-NR906, the Yamaha RX-V3900 and the Pioneer SC-07



Good Luck!,

MidCow2

 

[parinshah]

Thanks guys, but to be more specific to my needs...I need something that would play music well on the Axioms m80's aswell as movies and have HDMI inputs/outputs. If i get a cheap receiver and an amp, it may not have an HDMI input. There may be cheaper ones, but any comments on the Denon 3809, Marantz 8002, Rotel 1560? With these I don't think there would be much need to get the extra amplifier because I am frugal with volume, except on the monthly movie night.

 

[Midcow2]

More ...

Thanks guys, but to be more specific to my needs...I need something that would play music well on the Axioms m80's aswell as movies and have HDMI inputs/outputs. If i get a cheap receiver and an amp, it may not have an HDMI input. There may be cheaper ones, but any comments on the Denon 3809, Marantz 8002, Rotel 1560? With these I don't think there would be much need to get the extra amplifier because I am frugal with volume, except on the monthly movie night.

Okay the Axiom m80s v2 are 4 ohms and have a high sensitivity ( SPL in Room1w/1m(db): 95 dB SPL Anechoic 1w/1m(db): 91 dB) The high sensitivity means lound sound comes with minimal power and that any of the three receivers you have narrowed you choice down too should work even the Rotel should work. I still prefer the Marantz SR8002.

For movies the center is important for voice. It should match the fronts to maintain timbre (seamless front sound). A recommended center is the Axiom VP150.

For the movies a good sub really makes a difference. You never mentioned what sub you have ( or at least I didn't find it in a quick look) but SVS is a good sub brand and depending on your room size the PB13-Ultra ( larg room) or PB12-Plus ( medium room) would be good choices.
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box.cfm

Signing Off,

MidCow2

 

[Soundman]

Thanks guys, but to be more specific to my needs...I need something that would play music well on the Axioms m80's aswell as movies and have HDMI inputs/outputs. If i get a cheap receiver and an amp, it may not have an HDMI input. There may be cheaper ones, but any comments on the Denon 3809, Marantz 8002, Rotel 1560? With these I don't think there would be much need to get the extra amplifier because I am frugal with volume, except on the monthly movie night.

How about picking up an XPA-5? http://emotiva.com/xpa5.shtm

200 watts RMS/channel into 8 ohms, all channels driven
5 channels - 8 ohm = 200 watts per channel

4 channels - 8 ohm = 230 watts per channel

3 channels - 8 ohm = 250 watts per channel

2 channels - 8 ohm = 275 watts per channel

1 channel - 8 ohm = 300 watts per channel


4 ohm rating:
5 channels - 4 ohm = 350 watts per channel
4 channels - 4 ohm = 375 watts per channel
3 channels - 4 ohm = 400 watts per channel
2 channels - 4 ohm = 450 watts per channel
1 channel - 4 ohms = 500 watts per channel


THD+N at rated power output: 0.007%
S/N ratio: >100db
Frequency response: 10 to 120Khz (-3db) and 20 to 20 (with less than .15db deviation)
Gain structure: 32db
Transformer size: 1600VA Toroid
Secondary capacitance: 60,000uF
Weight: Approximately 70 pounds
17” W x 7.75” H x 19” D

This has plenty of high current to easily drive your speakers, and due to the sensitivity of your speakers, this should be all the power you will ever need. For $799, this leaves plenty of room in your budget for a good processor or receiver.

 

[parinshah]

I apologize for my ignorance, but if I have a good receiver why do I need to get an extra amp? Again, I don't blare music...

 

[Soundman]

I apologize for my ignorance, but if I have a good receiver why do I need to get an extra amp? Again, I don't blare music...

Headroom and peace of mind my friend. No, you probably don't need all the power that I recommended, but for that price, it's a great deal, and you'll probably never need to upgrade. Amps are long term investments. You basically have a 95db speaker at 4 ohm, so you're essentially getting 350wpc and for 2-channel playback, you're getting 450wpc! Get ready to rock out my friend!

Seriously, you probably don't need all that, but I thought you had expressed concern about making sure you're receiver will properly drive your speakers. That is a thing of the past with something like that. I mainly just recommended it for the price. I haven't seen anything in HT gear that will deliver that performance at that price. Plus, you still have plenty of room in your budget to get a processor or receiver with all the new processing features.

 

[parinshah]

Most of the forum is pushing the separates route, and if I did buy a good amp to drive the fronts like the emotiva, what is a good inexpensive receiver that has all the other goodies, like HDMI stuff, for my projector?

Is there any difference with getting an inexpensive receiver that has the HDMI inputs vs. the Marantz/Rotel's? Or am I paying for the name?

By the way, I was going to get the Axiom sub, either the EP500 or two
EP350's. I have a large room (28'x18'x11').

 

[markw]

Be very clear about this.

Thanks guys, but to be more specific to my needs...I need something that would play music well on the Axioms m80's aswell as movies and have HDMI inputs/outputs.

It's the speakers that make music sound good. The amp simply has to be capable of driving them, which is the issue here.

You "assume" that the Axioms will sound good for both HT and music. Have you heard them yet, or you still relying on what you've read and want to believe?

So, if the Axioms don't "sound good" to your ears, you're already assuming the problem will be the receiver? You may want to think about this whole idea...

Here's a hint: Virtually any speaker can sound great in HT usage but many will come up lacking in musical applications.

 

[parinshah]

You are absolutely right. I need to Demo these. I have a friend with a signature series paradigm set up in his HT room. I am going to order the Axiom M22's, M60 and M80 and listen to the differences.

The speaker part is very subjective. I think the receiver/amp part is a bit more, although obviously not entirely, more objective and want to get y'alls thought on that.