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.

[DaveMuell]

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.

[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]

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.