Receiver options & opinions

[Thumper]

Hi all! I have been lurking for a few months and am still trying to get my options straight on a receiver. I am planning a HT room for a new build in a finished basement. Room is a little on the small side (15'x14') and will be filled with an Infocus 4805 projector, 102" screen, and 7.1 setup. The speakers are some 6 year old Cerwin vega VS series. DVD playesr and Sub are still up in the air. The room will be used for about 75% video and 25% pure audio.
My requirements for the receiver are :
1. Ability to drive 4 ohm fronts
2. Component connectivity ( upscaling is a plus)

That's about it. Sound is such a subjective quality, but is important to me.
I am still not entirely sold in the THX ceritfication, but that does offer some comfort ( I know strange, and contradicting.)
My thoughts thus far are Denon 3805, Yamaha htr 5860 or 5890, or Pioneer's comparable units.
Then there are the new digital amps out there specifically by panasonic that seem to be getting excellent reviews.
TIA!

 

[markw]

Dunno what your feelings are on this, but...

...Neither of the first two units give any specs at 4 ohms. The Denon does spec 8 and 6 ohms but the 5860 only speced 8 ohms, at least on cnet, anyway.

 

[fergusonv]

May want to look at a Yamaha 2500 (pretty much same $$ as the Denon) as an option also. You may want to consider a smaller screen, at 12-13ft viewing distance with that projector on a 100+ inch screen you are going to see SDE.

 

[jcPanny]

Receivers and PJ

1. Ability to drive 4 ohm fronts
2. Component connectivity ( upscaling is a plus)

1. You will need at least a Yamaha 2500 or Denon 2805 to drive the 4 ohm fronts. Depending on how loud or how long you listen you might need to upgrade to an external amp.

2. If you mean upconvert (from component and svideo to composite) than any mid-fi reciever will do this (Yamaha HTR-5860 and up). If you really mean upscale to 720p and 1080i, the yamaha RX-V2600 is the only one out that will do this and it costs >$1000. Also note, that the DLP PJ you list is only 480p, so an upscalling DVD player or receiver wont help much.

For a front projector, you might check out the new 720P LCD models. The Panny AE900U, Sanyo Z4, and Epson 550 are all >$2000 and you can probably get last years versions (AE700, Z3, etc.) for >$1500.

I have the Yamaha HTR-5860 receiver and I am happy with its features and performance for the price, but I wouldn't expect it to handle 4 ohm mains.

 

[Thumper]

I have been having a bit of trouble locating a receiver that states it will handle a 4 ohm load. Most that I have seen are rated at 6 ohms, but not 4. I currently have a JVC RX-6010V running in 5.1 with the 4 ohms on it, it has done remarkably well IMO with the load, never really skipped a beat with them at decent volume levels. Howeveer this was purely by chance- it wasn't until later that I even got interested in the load on them. Most of the LCD projectors I have seen have issues with ye olde screen door viewing effect. Which is why I looked at DLP with good contrast instead. Perhaps a 92" screen would be a wiser choice though.

 

[avliner]

4 Ohm Loads

Hi,

as fas as I remember, in one of Audiholics Reference Systems there was a 3805 running 4 ohm Axiom fronts for more than a year, without a problem.
In my understanding, as long as you don't push too hard in terms of volume, the 3805 will manage well any 4 ohm front speakers set.

Have several buddies running 4 ohm fronts on the 3805 without any complaints, so far. Most probably, the manufacturers doesn't mention that their gears are 4 ohm rated, in order to be in the "safe side".

For sure either Clint or Gene can give a more detailed explanation on that.

Cheers / Avliner

 

[jcPanny]

4 ohm ratings

I think that most mid-fi receivers don't list a 4 ohm spec for UL heat/power consumptuion purposes. In comparision almost all dedicated amps are stable into 4 ohms and list the spec.

 

[Thumper]

What about the Outlaw 1070? It seems to have gotten decent reviews, anyone have any experience with an audition? Better yet a comparison between the outlaw and say yamaha 2500, or 2600 ,and Denon 3805?
Thanks to all for the replies thus far!

 

[3db]

Can your budget afford NAD or Rotel?

These two maunfactures can drive 4 ohm loads without breaking a sweat. But seeing as you own Cerwin Vegas which are really efficient speakers in general, I wouldn't worry too much about Denon or Yamaha driving them to fairly loud levels and expereince clipping . I think your safe with either one of them