Best 2 channel Receiver under $400.00...?

Fatbrando

Hi There,

Looking for advice on the best receiver to run a pair of SDA's. 1c's or bigger. I don't want a pre or mono block them. I just want to find the best receiver under $400.00 that puts out the most Watts per channel. Thanks in advance for all your wonderful advice. It's truly been invaluable! Please note I was going to use a PA-2000 to help out, but that still only gives me 100 wpc. I'm thinking of selling both my AVR-130 and the PA-2000 and upgrading into single receiver only.

FB

MillerLiteScott

Don't put all you stock in watts per channel. What SDA's want is current. You want a amplifier capable of putting out a lot of current.

You may want to look into some used NAD receivers. Other people know more about this than me and they will chime in.

Scott

Face

Ain't happening. Buy a slightly better receiver that has preamp outs and a external amp. You'll have to spend some real coin if you want to buy a receiver that can drive 1C's.

BigMac

NAD 1600 or 1700 preamp (these models have a remote)/NAD 2600 amp
Adcom GFP 555II preamp/Adcom GFA555II amp


I just got help with a similar question a few days ago, so I will try and pass along the info. that was given to me. As far as receivers I see tons of people recommend HK (Harman Kardon). Not sure which model though but go for the one with the most power (wpc). Their 50 wpc is like 100 wpc for a Sony. Much better quality parts used inside. I have a NAD 2400pe THX amp running my Polk 10b speakers and there is no way I could turn it up past the 11 o'clock position or I would blow my speakers clean out of my house. Bang for the buck NAD wins hands down (imo), plus they are built like tanks and will go forever. Good luck in your search.:)

**Remember that there are models higher and lower that the ones I mentioned so they are worth checking out.**

ben62670

HK 38xx, or 33xx
These have about the best current you can get in an inexpensive receiver. Again don't get too turned off by the watts. They will drive SDA's to a very loud clean level
Audio Inputs
3385 specs ($198 BIN)
Continuous power (FTC): 80 Watts per channel, 20Hz – 20kHz @ <0.07% THD 100 Watts per channel, 20Hz – 20kHz @ <0.2% THD, both channels driven into 4 ohms
Phono
CD
Tape/Monitor/CDR
Main-Amp Inputs
Audio/Video Inputs (Composite Video)

Video 1
Video 2
Video 3 (use front- or rear-panel connections)
Outputs

Dual Subwoofer Outputs
Tape/CDR
Video 1 (Audio and Video)
Video Monitor
Preamp Outputs
Headphone
Two sets of Speaker Outputs for dual-room use

http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio_Harman-Kardon_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ2QQftidZ1QQtZkm
Later you can add an amp, and this will work as a good Pre.
Ben

dorokusai

I'd suggest keeping the PA2000, since 100wpc is fine for an SDA1C, and upgrading your AVR to include pre-outs. Just pre-out the AVR to the PA. The SDA1C does all the SDA you need unless you're living in a concert hall. You can do that for under $400 easy.

The suggestion from Ben above is solid. Why would you not want to utilize the PA2000 you already own?

Fatbrando

Well I guess I'm confused about amps/pre-amps in general. Here comes the A-#1 stupid question of all time --- If I have receiver that is 100wpc and I send a line through a pre-out to a 100wpc amp does that mean I'm sending 200wpc to my speakers? Or does that mean I'm sending 100wpc from a clean signal originating from my receiver? If that is case, wouldn't I want to get a huge amp to drive the speakers close to their maximum rating, like 300 or 400wpc? Thanks for all the generous help so far, I will be keeping my PA-2000. If I ever receive it, but that's another story....

dorokusai

No.

No.

When you use pre-outs, you distribute the amplification duty to another source, in this case the PA2000. There is no load on the source.

If you use the pre-out, that means the unit on the receiving end handles the work. That means, 100wpc to the SDA1C based on your post. Do you need 3-400 watts? no. That's just plain silly.

You should shake your head around into reality and realize you have a good system.

RuSsMaN

The 2000 is a great amp, very well built, and the tone is on the warm side of neutral.

Cheers,
Russ

Fatbrando

Thanks you guys! The AVR130 doesn't have a preout, could I use the tape out at pre-outs and run the speakers from my PA-2000?

ben62670

If he hooks it up to the tape outs it will not be volume controlled. It will put out full signal which would be very bad. He needs a better receiver, or Pre.

Face

The HK 247 has pre outs. Check out Ebay for HK Direct: http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio.

Also, try Club Onkyo for some good deals on refurbed gear. http://www.onkyousa.com/about_clubonkyo.cfm

Kex

Both NAD and harman/kardon have been mentioned. I have been very happy with both, but I have no experience of two channel h/k units. Two channel NAD units are quite surprisingly powerful, even when rated with modest w/ch output, and they have soft clipping abilities, although I have never managed to trigger that even once when I was using NAD.

ben62670

Here you go!
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73766

Conradicles

I agree with ben62670. The HK 2 channel amps are a great value for the money. They are a perfect inexpensive match for polks. They even look cool:cool:

shack

I drove SDA 1Cs with a NAD 320BEE (50 wpc) integrated amp to levels beyond comfortable listening levels with NO distortion or clipping. I liked that little integrated amp and I wish I had never sold it. My current NAD amp with 120 wpc never even gets close to working hard to push the 1Cs. Forget about "stated" wpc and hype and make sure whatever you have has enought high current power to do the job.

nikolas812

I just bought a brand new Harman Kardon HK3490 for $299.99 and its the balls!!


I have it powering a pair of Lsi9's and it sounds phenomenal. I am getting clean chest hitting bass and spl's in the 90+ area with ease. The Receiver sounds very tube like to boot. I have also had the volume maxed out a couple times and it has never clipped or distorted. The lights start to dim though.:D All in all I am very very impressed with it...


You might want to give it a look...


Here is a link to the specs


http://www.harmankardon.com/specifications.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&ser=&prod=HK%203490&sType=C

bikezappa

For something very different try looking for a Revox B285 receiver with a remote.

They can drive SDA speakers and are built like a tank.

Plus you get a world class tuner to boot.

Fatbrando

Thanks again. You guys are truly a wealth of info. I await my PA2000 and will take all your recommendations in and see where they lead me. Keep ya'll posted. Keep on Polkin'!!!

Kex

shack wrote: »

I drove SDA 1Cs with a NAD 320BEE (50 wpc) integrated amp to levels beyond comfortable listening levels with NO distortion or clipping. I liked that little integrated amp and I wish I had never sold it. My current NAD amp with 120 wpc never even gets close to working hard to push the 1Cs. Forget about "stated" wpc and hype and make sure whatever you have has enought high current power to do the job.

That has been my experience also with a NAD C340, which, although also rated at 50w/ch, is much less legendary than the 320BEE (and I wasn't using SDAs either). The stated power rating is 50w/ch at 0.03% THD (more demanding than most ratings, that are closer to 0.1% THD), this is described by NAD as a "continuous output power". A short term "dynamic power" rating is also listed, at 100w. These integrated amplifiers are stable at 4 and 2 ohms. Maybe that is part of the NAD secret, but in my experience, it was simply impossible to get the volume knob anywhere close to maximum, even in a large room with high ceilings: your ears give up before the NAD does. I rarely even got it to half way (this is an analog control with no channel calibrations), and like Shack said, I never once triggered the soft clipping feature (designed to limit or prevent clipping damage) nor heard the slightest distortion.

curved

ben62670 wrote: »

Here you go!
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73766

This would be perfect!!

AndyGwis

I would also say HK stereo receivers. I got a new 3480 for something under $200 and LOVE IT. Powers my LSi7s in the bedroom perfectly!

I'd really love to get a HK 990 but can't find any info on them being sold in the states. The 3490 looks great as well. An updated 3480 (digital inputs) to my eye.

gidrah

I guess it would depend on your room size and volume preferrence. Polks just love current. I've heard Monitor 10Bs sound great on a 200 w/ch amp (good amp too), then I heard them really sing on a 30 w/ch tube amp too. Just at lower levels.

adclark

I've heard great things about this 2 channel receiver and it has pre-outs

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html

shack

adclark wrote:

I've heard great things about this 2 channel receiver and it has pre-outs

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html

Yes, it is a very nice receiver...just $300 over his stated budget. You rarely see them used either.

Fatbrando

Okay Gentlemen, I just hooked up the Harman Kardon HK 3490 and boy oh boy is it LUSH...

My god is is silky smooth...

Got a great deal off ebay, but picked up local. Currently breaking it's cherry with Floyd's Dark Side...

So my genius audiophiles, what's the protocol for breaking this thing in? Do I play it at low volumes for the next couple of days or do I let 'er rip and drive it how I'm gonna listen to it regularly?

I'm fearful of really maxing it out, cuz the Klipsch KG4's are only rated for 100wpc and this baby is steady at 120wpc.

Again, Thank you to everyone who gave me great advice. The only reason I stayed with the H/K's is I know and trust their sound. I also love the way they under rate their wpc. It's just so classy to me. That and it just looks cool.

So any futher assistance would be greatly appreciated, like "Break-in" time, "Constant On" or On/Off scenario's, anything I'm missing, please....

Take care and "Yes We Can!!!"

FB

nikolas812

Sweet!!

Thats the same receiver I just bought. I was just telling another forum member how lush it sounds also. Very tube like...



I let mine eat right out of the box. I'm running Lsi9's with mine and I was able to max out the volume with no distortion.:eek: I wouldn't recommend this..... But the receiver had no problems nor did my Lsi's..

I left mine on for two days watching movies at reference levels and never had a problem either.

I doubt any of this is a correct way to break anything in. But to tell you the truth. I never really heard the sound change that much. So I don't know exactly how much of a difference you are going to hear with some sort of break in process.

If anything the Highs might have smoothed out a little more after a day or so. But thats it..


Have fun




Nick

TomB

Timely topic, as I'm looking at the HK3480, rated at 80wpc, to replace/upgrade my circa-1982 HK740, rated at 35-40 wpc.

Question: this would be driving a pair of 7Bs - would the difference in power be noticeable? I'm also amazed at how inexpensive the 3480 is - does "inexpensive" translate to "cheap"?

Conradicles

The HK-3480 is 120 watts per channel and can drive 4 ohm loads. Trust me, I have had many 2 channel rigs and it sounds the best for the money.

TomB

My mistake, Conradicles: I meant the HK 3390, which is rated at 80 wpc, rather than the 3480:

http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&prod=HK%203390&sType=C

Has anyone had any experience with this one?

shack

I hope HK has better quality control now than what they experienced just a few years ago. Their stuff was very unreliable. There is a reason there was so much refurb gear available through Harman Audio. I owned a HK 2 channel receiver for a short period of time that was nothing but problems. It would not work with the remote and overheated badly. As I went through my issues I found that I wasn't alone and there were lots of problems with HK gear across the board. They alway had well designed products with lots of power, they just didn't build them very well. Maybe now they have those issues worked out.