Dedicated stereo reciever for 2ch music. Where to begin????

ROHfan

Wow, this is unbelievably tedious. I'm currently using an old Sony receiver to power my bass shakers but I recently got the idea to upgrade it to a more powerful and better quality stereo receiver. This way I can alternately use it to power my fronts (M60s) for listening to 2 channel music only. I really don't have the room or dough to go with an AVR with preouts and an external amp. My current avr is a Denon 1611.

I was thinking something like an HK 3485 or an Onkyo TX-8555. Used or refurbished would be ideal but there are SO many out there that I don't know where to start. My research has taken me in a dozen different diredAny suggestions? Thanks.

Joe08867

Save up more money for an AVR with preouts.

DollarDave

Depending on your budget, the possiblities are nearly endless.
That said, the HK has pre-outs and is a good choice in it's price range. It also has two subwoofer outs. Check their e-bay outlet for b-stock at a great price.

dkg999

Nad c720bee

cnh

All the suggestions above are good. I have an HK 3490 that does a fine job. Also have a NAD integrated that's an over-performer.

I'd add the Outlaw RR2150 (no longer made, I think) but perhaps available used. Plenty of power and good feature set.

The important thing is that they all have pre-outs, good power and sound and they can all drive a 4 ohm load!

cnh

skrol

The older Denon stereo receivers are pretty good too. My DRA-835R and 825R from the early '90s have pre-outs and main-ins and don't mind 4 ohm speakers.
Stan

nooshinjohn

If the purpose is a dedicated two channel rig, you cannot beat going with a vintage Pioneer SX 1980 or something from that family of recievers. Vintage Sliver faced Kenwoods, Black-faced Sansui, Pioneers or others from the golden age of high powered recievers. They can be found for a decent price and you would be hard pressed to find a current reciever that can hold a candle to some of the classics.

The only drawback is that this gear is also ready to be refreshed(new caps, etc) so that should figure prominenetly in your descision.

ROHfan

Thanks, everyone, for the ideas. Except Joe08867 who was no help whatsoever.:biggrin:

cnh

John has some nice suggestions above....but it should be kept in mind that the SX-1980 was the BEST stereo receiver 'ever' made by Pioneer--it retailed for over 1200 dollars in 1980 and weighed almost 80 lbs! And owners often try to sell it used for twice that price today! So 2000 dollars for a receiver? I don't think the OP is in that kind of price range.

On the other hand you can get some nice vintage gear. I'm currently trying to pick up a Pioneer SX-3900 (120 W x 2) and 44 lbs of heft for a two way garage system. You can sometimes find these guys used from (100-150 or so). The problem! As John points out...it's 'age', caps, pots, etc. So you have to really check the product out. And be prepared for reconditioning.

Good luck!

cnh

polkfarmboy

The rotel 1052 was awarded the best budget 2 ch receiver for its refined sound by tonepub . They sell for around $250- $350 used on ebay etc. The cool thing about the rotel is that its got a HT bypass so it would be good to go for a movie and its got plenty of inputs and power

mhardy6647

soiled state/moderate-high power:


(Yamaha CR-2020)

vacuum tube/moderate power:


(Fisher 500C)

ROHfan

polkfarmboy wrote: »

The rotel 1052 was awarded the best budget 2 ch receiver for its refined sound by tonepub . They sell for around $250- $350 used on ebay etc. The cool thing about the rotel is that its got a HT bypass so it would be good to go for a movie and its got plenty of inputs and power

I've heard good things about that receiver. How does it compare to an HK3490? That thing's supposed to be a beast.

kappclark

I have an HK 3380 which I currently use as a preamp for a Parasound power amp... I drove a set of PSB Alpha's, before the Monitor 60's with the HK, and it was very pleasing..I think the 3490 is more powerful (the 3380 is discontinued)

cristo

I have an HK 3480 that gets daily use (120 W/Ch 8 ohms 150 W/Ch 4 ohms)
- also discontinued by now but works very well as a fairly inexpensive receiver
(it was less than $300 when I got it new). The current offerings are the 3390 and 3490 (80 W/Ch $350 and 120 W/Ch $450 respectively - figure about 10% less actually selling prices).

DON73

Yamaha receivers/amps have the ability to drive 8/4 and some 2ohm loads. My 2092 receiver can deliver 320 watts into 2 ohm loads for short periods.
The Pioneer SX1010 at 100 watts can drive 4 ohm speakers easily.
Both of these have pre outs.