SDA 2B Owners (what receiver should I be looking for to power these babies??)

tophatjohnny

With so many choices out there I am still in search for a receiver that will make these babies really sing. On the list so far is the HK AVR 635 and the Carver MXR 150. The HK has more possibilities for adding speakers, but I want the bedroom to be a 2 channel set up. I know the SDA 2b"s are power hungry, so hoping to get ideas from some owners as to what to be on the look out for. I have a friend that has a couple high end receiver that only boast of 70 watts, but he defends that with the higher end receivers out out way more that the 70 watts they claim to have, so a little confused I am at this point. Should I be looking for a receiver that has at least 150 watts to really hear my speakers sing?? If so, which one?? Thanks in advance and hope to hear from some of you.

Mike Reeter

If two channel is your main goal, I would try to locate a nice used two channel amp. and a dedicated preamp to drive your 2B's. The only requirement of the amp is that it should be "Common Ground" and be at least around 100 wpc.

Also, a nice Integrated amp would fill the bill. An AVR will drive the 2B's, but you'll come closer to hearing what they are really capable of with a decent front end and some solid power.

EDIT, disregard this, I just read in another thread where you contiplating separates.

nspindel

If you want to do this on a budget and go with a receiver rather than components, I have a good recommendation for you. I used to run my CRS+'s (basically the same speaker as the 2B's) with a Harman Kardon HK 990 VXi receiver. Straight 2-channel, no sub out. I bought it in 1989, and the sound was superb. I don't have it any more, but it can be found on eBay from time to time in the $250 range. It has a phono stage if you ever wanted to get a turntable, and a headphone out as well. Modern Harman Kardon equipment sounds awful compared to the stuff they put out 25 years ago.

tophatjohnny

nspindel wrote: »

If you want to do this on a budget and go with a receiver rather than components, I have a good recommendation for you. I used to run my CRS+'s (basically the same speaker as the 2B's) with a Harman Kardon HK 990 VXi receiver. Straight 2-channel, no sub out. I bought it in 1989, and the sound was superb. I don't have it any more, but it can be found on eBay from time to time in the $250 range. It has a phono stage if you ever wanted to get a turntable, and a headphone out as well. Modern Harman Kardon equipment sounds awful compared to the stuff they put out 25 years ago.

Yeah, I see one on eBay at 180+$$ to ship. That's the right power, just not the right price!! Think it's the Carver 150 for me.

nspindel

What's wrong with the price? FYI, in 1989 that receiver retailed for $2000. I wouldn't hold it against the seller that he's charging $50 for shipping. Lots of times eBay sellers charge a lot for shipping because they don't get charged a fee on the shipping price. I've actually bought items where the shipping charge is in the hundreds of dollars. All you should care about is your total cost. If you get that receiver for a total cost of $250, you will be mighty pleased with it, I guarantee you.

tophatjohnny

nspindel wrote: »

What's wrong with the price? FYI, in 1989 that receiver retailed for $2000. I wouldn't hold it against the seller that he's charging $50 for shipping. Lots of times eBay sellers charge a lot for shipping because they don't get charged a fee on the shipping price. I've actually bought items where the shipping charge is in the hundreds of dollars. All you should care about is your total cost. If you get that receiver for a total cost of $250, you will be mighty pleased with it, I guarantee you.

I made a play for it. Fingers crossed.

tophatjohnny

I decided on the Onkyo TX-SR805 and will have it here by early next week. Hope it does the trick. Read a lot of great things about this receiver, so looking forward to hearing the SDA's through it.

cnh

I'm not going to tell you that the 805 is a bad receiver. It is not, I own one. But I wouldn't think of using it to run my SDA-2Bs? I suppose it could work. But that 130 watt per channel rating is only for 8 ohm loads. There is a setting for 4 ohm loads that effectively reduces its power output to 65-70 watts per channel at 4 ohms? Not the same powerhouse at that impedance.

Also, Onkyo is a somewhat "neutral" to "brighter" sounding AVR. If you don't have RD replacement tweeters on those SDAs you ARE going to hear that! And hear A LOT of it!

In any case, though dated. It's still "great" for AVR service. I'm going to hang onto mine till it dies! Fingers crossed!

cnh

tophatjohnny

cnh wrote: »

I'm not going to tell you that the 805 is a bad receiver. It is not, I own one. But I wouldn't think of using it to run my SDA-2Bs? I suppose it could work. But that 130 watt per channel rating is only for 8 ohm loads. There is a setting for 4 ohm loads that effectively reduces its power output to 65-70 watts per channel at 4 ohms? Not the same powerhouse at that impedance.

Also, Onkyo is a somewhat "neutral" to "brighter" sounding AVR. If you don't have RD replacement tweeters on those SDAs you ARE going to hear that! And hear A LOT of it!

In any case, though dated. It's still "great" for AVR service. I'm going to hang onto mine till it dies! Fingers crossed!

cnh

I am new to it all, and still learning, so bore/bear with me cnh! Do you suggest that I replace the tweeters before I get the receiver hooked up?? If so. I'm down to make the needed change, but will need help in what to buy, where to but it and how to do it. Tall order I know. Thanks and I'd hate to blow these tweeters as all components in the pair I have look brand new. Appreciate the help.