stereo receiver for Paradigm 40 speakers?

[anitawar]

I lost my home and all contentis in a fire recently; all AV equipment and extensive music collection. I need music back in my life and have started with the purchase of a pair of PARADIGM Studio 40 speakers. Now I need a receiver.
Can someone please advise what I should be looking for? or a particular unit?
Specs say 15-180 watt power range, Sensitivity 92/89 dB, max input power 140 watts....
I doublt if i'll hook up a sub woofer. I am interested in GOOD stero sound, not surrond sound or 'home entertainment'. I have a HD television i'll run through the speakers. I may aquire a second pair of speakers (had quadrophonic - front and back in the house i lost. ( I seem to be a quadrophonic kind a gal -old school!) I'll hook up a CD player also.
appreciate some advice - need to get music back in my life! thanks...

 

[Seth=L]

Do you listen to AM/FM radio?

If not, you may consider going with an integrated amplifier or separate preamp/amplifier. Stereo receivers usually aren't the best suited for driving reactive loads, and I got much better sound out of the Studios I had once connected to an amplifier that could handle lower a ohm factor. This more than likely means that the Studio series speakers have fairly reactive loads that make them sound "harsh" on most receivers when the impedance drops down to 4 ohms and below.

 

[Lordoftherings]

I lost my home and all contentis in a fire recently; all AV equipment and extensive music collection. I need music back in my life and have started with the purchase of a pair of PARADIGM Studio 40 speakers. Now I need a receiver.
Can someone please advise what I should be looking for? or a particular unit?
Specs say 15-180 watt power range, Sensitivity 92/89 dB, max input power 140 watts....
I doublt if i'll hook up a sub woofer. I am interested in GOOD stero sound, not surrond sound or 'home entertainment'. I have a HD television i'll run through the speakers. I may aquire a second pair of speakers (had quadrophonic - front and back in the house i lost. ( I seem to be a quadrophonic kind a gal -old school!) I'll hook up a CD player also.
appreciate some advice - need to get music back in my life! thanks...

Hi,

Don't look any further than the excellent Denon Stereo Receivers.
Just check in their web site for a model with about 100 watts per channel, or even 80 watts will be plenty. They are amazing, they drive 4-ohm loads, they have multiple zones, and they sound awewsome. I know, that's what I recommend to my own brother and he is extremely satisfied. Here's the one that he actually owns (80 watts per channel). The DRA-397 retails for $399, but I bet you can find it for about $299 or even less perhaps. And the previous models can save you even more money (DRA-396 and DRA-395, which are the exact same).

Denon DRA-397 AM/FM Stereo Receiver: http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3364.asp

Product sheet: http://www.usa.denon.com/DRA-397Lit.pdf

The model above (DRA-697ci) is 100 watts per channel, but retails for $600.
And the model below (DRA-297) is 50 watts per channel (still sufficiant for your speakers) and retails for only $299, and also is 4-ohm capable and still with two set of speakers. So if you get a DRA-295, for example, it will probably only cost you about $149 to $199 max. And it will still take care of your Paradigm Reference Studio 40 speakers.

Me, I highly recommend you the DRA-397. Because I already know the extraordinary performance in sound quality of this Stereo Receiver, plus his many usable and valuable extra features.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[markw]

Marantz turns out some pretty decent receivers too. This site sells factory refurbs and can over some very impressive prices. I've purchased several items over the past few years and have had no problems with them.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/StereoReceivers/Home-Audio/Stereo-Receivers/1.html

I think the main difference between the to Marantz unit (aside from price)deals mainly with special features that are mainly of interest to custom installers.

 

[just listening]

Anitawar:
The Paradigm Studio 40's are a fine choice for restarting your system. I always thought they were the forgotten child in Paradigm's lineup. Since they are very efficient loudspeakers they don't need a bunch of power to sound good.

You didn't mention price so I'll make a few suggestions:
Harmon Kardon 3480 receiver
Denon
Onkyo
Yamaha
Outlaw RR2250

Now, if you don't listen to the radio and only want one piece of gear an integrated amp is the way to go. Their are several that will give you quality 2 channel sound for the money.

Jolida 1501 RC - tubes in the preamp section that will mellow the slightly bright tweeters. 100wpc $900 approx new.

Music Hall A.25 - Nice improvement in the amplifier section over a receiver. 50wpc $600

Sim Audio i1 - Sim makes phenomenal gear, and it's built in Canada, so no worries about potential black market parts being snuck in. The fit and finish is fantastic. The noise floor is virtually non-existent. 50wpc $1500 They did just come out with a budget version, the i.5 with 40wpc for around $1200

Tube Integrateds
Vista i84- I heard this one at a California audio gathering. Terrific sounding little guy. Only around 20wpc, but had plenty of reserve power and would match up extremely well with the Studio 40's. The owner has a forum on AudioCircle. $650?

Onix SP3 (used only)- My neighbor has one of these units. They were designed by Melody of Australia and kick serious butt and sound just incredible. You can find them used for no more than $550. 38wpc.

 

[jostenmeat]

Do you listen to AM/FM radio?

If not, you may consider going with an integrated amplifier or separate preamp/amplifier. Stereo receivers usually aren't the best suited for driving reactive loads, and I got much better sound out of the Studios I had once connected to an amplifier that could handle lower a ohm factor. This more than likely means that the Studio series speakers have fairly reactive loads that make them sound "harsh" on most receivers when the impedance drops down to 4 ohms and below.

Do you feel the same way about the Outlaw? Or would this be considered an exception in your eyes?

For that matter, does anyone here have experience with the Outlaw unit, and if so, is there any other that you might prefer? Not integrateds, but stereo receivers.

 

[Seth=L]

Do you feel the same way about the Outlaw? Or would this be considered an exception in your eyes?

For that matter, does anyone here have experience with the Outlaw unit, and if so, is there any other that you might prefer? Not integrateds, but stereo receivers.

I would probably consider the Outlaw to be an exception, I did think of it for a moment.

 

[anamorphic96]

There are a few receivers out there that are the exception to the norm. The Outlaw being one. Along with the Rotel RX-1050 and 1052. Both receivers have very robust amplifier sections that can handle reactive loads without breaking a sweat.

On the cheaper side the Harman Kardon 3480, 3485, and 3490 are prettly stable as well. Especially for the price. A friend of mine is running some Magnepan MMG's with the 3485 and it sounds really nice.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Don't forget the Yammys. And the Onkyos too.

Yamaha Stereo receivers are also pretty good with low-impedance drive capability, high dynamic power and a good damping factor to have good control over the drivers of your Paradigm Reference Studio 40 speakers. And their tuner sections are pretty good too.

But you probably knew that already.

Same for the Onkyo Stereo receivers.

Bob

 

[3db]

You can also try looking at NAD. If you want the tuner section, they have these models

http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-receivers/C720BEE-Stereo-Receiver/specs

For integrated amps;

http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/C355BEE-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier/specs

http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/C325BEE-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier/specs

 

[3db]

Speaking of reactive loads, isn't WARP or some else driving a pair of electrostats (which are an order of magnitude more reactive than Paradigm 40s) with either a Denon or a Yamaha receiver without any issues?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Warp has about a million watts from his Wyred 4 Sound amp driving Studio 100's.

Speaking of reactive loads, isn't WARP or some else driving a pair of electrostats (which are an order of magnitude more reactive than Paradigm 40s) with either a Denon or a Yamaha receiver without any issues?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

40's like power and dip in the 3.5-4 ohm range. I ran mine with just an AVR for about half a year and blew 3 woofers. Once I got an amp, they lived to tell about it. Do keep in mind that I have a giant room and I like it loud.

Anitawar:
The Paradigm Studio 40's are a fine choice for restarting your system. I always thought they were the forgotten child in Paradigm's lineup. Since they are very efficient loudspeakers they don't need a bunch of power to sound good.

 

[3db]

Warp has about a million watts from his Wyred 4 Sound amp driving Studio 100's.

Ok You eliminated Warp but there is another Audioholic in here driving electostats with either a Denon or a Yammmy..just can't remember who..

 

[Lordoftherings]

Rotel is also good with 4-ohm loads.

And in addition to Denon and Yamaha Stereo receivers, don't dismiss the Rotel Stereo receivers either, like previously mentioned by anamorhic96.

Bob