[mantis]

Due to numerous reasons I am seriously considering going from separates to an integrated A/V receiver. Is anyone currently using one with RM2's or other VMPS speakers with good stereo sound? 90% of my listening is in stereo. Price under $2,500.

[John Casler]

So this primarily for 2 Channel Stereo? with some small consideration given to HT?

What are you currently using (wouldn't want to go backwards)?

And is space an issue?

[mantis]

Currently using Odyssey Stratos-plus amp and Tempest pre & most listening is stereo. Space is no issue.

[Darac]

Hm, what a question ?

[John Casler]

Currently using Odyssey Stratos-plus amp and Tempest pre & most listening is stereo. Space is no issue.

Hi Mantis,

I used to place a few SUNFIRE AVR's with VMPS'ers who seemed quite happy with them, but they are not made any longer so you would have to look at the used market.

I also use the ONKYO AVR-5009; which is basically a Onkyo 5509/Integra 80.3 PrePro section with a 9 channel 145wpc amp section.

But you have a "tall order" matching or beating the Stratos and Tempest.

I know of some gear that is coming (hopefully in Sept) that I cannot post publically about yet.

I'll PM you and see if it might fit.

[mantis]

Thanks John. What do they sell for?

[John Casler]

Thanks John. What do they sell for?

The MSRP on that ONKYO is $2899.

With it, you can also "biamp" the RM2s since I doubt you will be using all 9 amp channels for HT.

'Nother option is the PR-SC5508 PrePro ($2199 msrp) then sell your Tempest and add 3 cheap channels of amplification for HT, and keep the Stratos for the RM2's

[mantis]

Thanks John. Is there anyone currently using an A/V receiver on their VMPS speakers or is that uncool?

[sharper]

John's suggestion of a used Sunfire AVR is probably a good one. I owned RM2's as well as two of their predecessors Tower II/SE and the Tower II/R's. I generally found they needed a fair amount of power to produce the tremendous bass power that the 12" woofer can generate. I never had a receiver to try them with but I did, very surprisingly, get great results with a Naim Nait 2 integrated amp that I had on hand. Aside from that I always used separates (some tube, some SS).

Would you consider an integrated amp instead if 90% of your listening is 2 channel...and just "listen" to movies in 2 channel mode? You may have more options that way. Good luck.

[simon wagstaff]

Just going to jump in and say that I have a Pioneer tsx 59i, last of the big time MOSFET Elite receivers that sounds very good in stereo mode and also will do all the decoding except for the Blu ray formats. If you have any interest I have it available for a very good price. Original list on it was $4,500.00

I used it for many years quite happily.

sorry if this is off topic.

[Roko]

Harman Kardon AVR 330 (old version, 2004), I'm using it for my HT system for 8 years. From time to time connect it to my RM2, and every time get surprised how good it sounds on them. If you find one in good condition (and it shouldn't cost more than a couple of hundred bucks), just go for it.

http://www.hometheaterblog.com/hometheater/2004/10/harman-kardon-avr-330-review/

[Early B.]

Thanks John. Is there anyone currently using an A/V receiver on their VMPS speakers or is that uncool?

Yeah, using an A/V receiver on VMPS speakers is very uncool. You'll be taking three steps backwards from your current setup. Why are you even considering it?

[John Casler]

Thanks John. Is there anyone currently using an A/V receiver on their VMPS speakers or is that uncool?

Not sure if it is "uncool", (which is probably in the temperature of the beholder ), but generally except for a few standouts (like the Sunfire) the power and power supplies of receivers are not as effective as a separate 2 channel amp, or big integrated (with 200wpc+).

This is especially true if you tend to listen at higher SPLs.

[rbbert]

Many (most?) VMPS speakers are 4 ohm, so an integrated or AVR with a good power supply will have up to double the 8 ohm output power.  There are AVR's at many price ranges now, up to several times what a pair of RM-2's cost, but why not a stereo integrated amp if your system is 2-channel (rather than 5.1 or 7.1)?

[Brax]

I would look at the Anthem MRX 700, the amp section of this AVR is it's strong suit and fits you price range. Others to consider are the NAD T785HD, a little more pricer or the Outlaw RR 2150 a quality 2 channel receiver for only $700.

[JP78]

I'm a big fan of the Denon *CI line; a close friend of mine biamped his with a 3808CI receiver with fine results.

Best,