Buying a receiver

[jong2k4]

I had let my brother borrow my audio system while I was away at college, and as it turns out he used a bare wire as an antenna, which then somehow got underneath a plug on the surge protector and sparks started flying. Now the receiver produces a very powerful hum next to very faint sound, so it seems like it's time to get it replaced. Problem: I don't know the first thing about audio equipment.

The speakers are fine (I think, I haven't actually tested them separately yet) so all I need is a stereo receiver with 80W on each channel. I have been looking online and am overwhelmed by the variety of manufacturers I do not recognize; Sherwood, Onkyo, KLH, and many more. Could some folks who know a little bit about audio recommend me some decent brands? (I'm not looking for fabulous and fabulously expensive sound, just something that will last for a while without sounding scratchy or anything like that.) By the way, the speakers are for my computer.

Also, if you guys have any other tips for a guy buying a receiver, I'd appreciate them.

Finally, if this is something I would need to spend a lot of money on, do you think it would be better to just go with a whole new set, say a Logitech or Klipsch 5.1 set for computers? For example, if I'd need to spend around $300 to get a decent receiver then I might as well just pick up this or this.

[Hi Ho]

Good brands include Onkyo, Harmon/Kardon, Denon, Yamaha, and Marantz. I wouldn't go with any other brand. I'd stay away from KLH and the store brands (like "Insignia" at BestBuy). You can get a good stereo receiver from one of those brands for around $200 and maybe even $100.

[jong2k4]

I have been looking at the product specs for some of these receivers... they all seem to list the specs at 4 and/or 8 ohms. I have no idea what the practical significance of this is in amplifiers/speakers, but I do know that the back of my speakers proclaim an impedance of 6 ohms. Does this number need to match up?

[Ob1]

8 ohm load, 4 ohm load = the resistance (impedance) the amplifier feels this resistance. When the load decreases, ( say 4 ohms instead of 8 ) the amplifier's output increases because there is less resistance to the power coming from the amp. The speakers can draw more power from the amp. DANGER! Drawing more power than the amplifier was designed for will damage the amp.

Every amplifier is designed to handle a certain load. All amplifiers can handle a higher resistance (load), but they will produce less output. Most quality amplifiers can also handle a lower resistance. A good rule of thumb is not to go below 2 ohms or above 16 ohms.

its best to match the impedance of the speakers to the amp. leave it at 8ohms. setting it to a 4ohm load wil put more strain on your receiver, which will shorten its life. at 8 ohms you will get lower THD.

[Hi Ho]

Your speakers are most likely 8 or 6 OHM. Most speakers are.

[David M]

Many newer amplifiers/receivers have a switch on the back that allows you to select between 2/4/8 ohm speakers...or variations thereof. Its also possible to place two 8 ohm speakers in parallel to give it a resistance of 4 ohms. Conversely you can place two 4 ohm speakers in series to create an 8 ohm resistance.

[Ob1]

very true, good point david m

[Hi Ho]

I've never seen a reciever with a selector switch for speakers of different resistance.

[ssahl]

The only brand worth spending money on is Denon
They are the best

[Ob1]

they are they best amp/receiver combo no doubt about that, but if you want seperate components and you have a huge budget there are better products out there.

[ssahl]

A/V Multi-Channel/Zone Surround Receiver • Too many features to list! • Click on the tech note/white paper icon to download the Features and Specifications Chart • Download the Owners Manual, note file size is 11.2MB. • Click on Photo icon for Front Panel Image • SRP $6000

http://www.usa.denon.com/catalog/products.asp?l=1&c=2

I hate to see what you mean by huge budget, the above is probably not even there best, and $6000 is no chump change just for a receiver!

good enough for george lucas good enough for me

I have a Denon class A poweramp/receiver that I spent about $500 on close to 10-12 years ago, there is no tuner on it and it's only rated at 90WATTS per ch
but I would put that thing up against most any receiver rated 120watts per ch or more even, I cant tell you how much of a difference CLEAN power makes, even at very low volume the power makes the sound so much better

[Hi Ho]

Denon makes excellent receivers. There is no doubt about that. However, no reciever can beat a system with seperate amps.

[jong2k4]

I've been looking into various setups, and I've pretty much decided that since getting a good quality receiver would be very expensive to start with, I may as well go with the Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 which would only be a bit more expensive but probably much nicer, and see if anybody wants to buy the old speakers.

[Ob1]

klipsch makes good pc speaker systems, as well as home audio speakers, i recommend the reference series from them. they are solid speakers especially for people on a budget.

here is my setup:
RF-35 floorstanding speakers
RC-35 center channel speaker
RS-7 surround speakers
KSW-15 powerd subwoofer

i also have the klipsch pro media 2.1 series for my pc.