Receiver suggestions

285exp

Thanks to lightning, I get to replace my current HT receiver, a Denon AVR 2802. When I bought it I was driving a pair of 10B's as the front mains, a CS 245i center channel, a pair of f/x 300i rears, and a Velodyne 150 watt sub. I have since replaced the 10B's with a pair of SDA-SRS mains. Second zone output to a 12 ch amp for the rest of the house. Sources are a CD changer, CD burner, VCR, cassette deck, DVD, digital cable converter, satellite receiver, and turntable.

Is a Denon 3805 enough to run the SDA-SRS mains? The 2802, at 90 wpc, was a bit overmatched, and I'm not sure that 120 wpc is going to be enough either. Obviously I want the new unit to be able to run all of the existing stuff, and I'd like to keep the price $1,000 - $1,500. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

billbillw

If you liked your 2802 (I like mine), but you are worried about power for those SDAs, you might consider getting a lower end Denon like the 2805 and taking the extra money for a separate amp for your SDA fronts.

Ricardo

I would get a new center (CSi5?), a receiver with pre-outs and enough muscle for surrounds, and 3 Outlaw 200W monoblocks (mains and center)...should not be far from the $ 1,500

EDIT: looking at your current center specs, I think you could actually leave it and still add the 3 200 monoblocks.....though some other people here with more experience can have different opinions....

285exp

Thanks for the replys.

The 2802 was a nice unit, just not enough power to run those big mains. Not lightning proof either.

Good suggestions on the less expensive receiver coupled with more powerful separate amp(s). The only problem there is that many of the less expensive receivers don't have enough inputs for all the source gear, and most lack phono inputs. You can get an outboard phono preamp, but that just eats up another aux input that they don't have enough of as is. Most of the big 3 channel amps would bust the budget all by themselves, and the Outlaw site says they're out of stock on the 200 watt monoblocks. The 3805 has some pretty cool features too, and if it will serve the purpose, I'm inclined to go with it and perhaps add the separate amplification later. Sadly, the receiver is not the only thing zapped, and my wife is unlikely to think that blowing all the money on the HT system is very amusing. Thanks again for your suggestions.

McLoki

I don't know how you feel about purchasing used, but here is an outlaw m200 for $240 and another for $225 Or you could just get an Outlaw 750 for $700 and be done with it.

Just a suggestion. (if you go used, there are many other choices rather than outlaw though - just so you know)

Michael

shiu

I think the 3805 will do fine until you are ready to add an outboard amp. The 3805 does have a decent power supply in it to deliver the specified 120W for 2/3 channels and can do around 100WPC for 5 channels.