Need low cost digital receiver for 4 ohm load

BikeWNC · « **on:** 6 Dec 2004, 09:36 pm »

I've read through all the recent threads on these receivers but am still a bit confused as to how they handle a stable 4 ohm load. It would be used in a small HT setup, probably a 4.1 speaker configuration. Can you guys recommend one for around $300 or less? Also, if this is a consideration, the mains will be 4 ohm and the surrounds are 8 ohm.

Thanks, Andy

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Dec 2004, 10:30 pm »

Andy/Tsunami,

I use the JVC RX-F10 with stable 4 ohm Maggie MMG's. They sound just fine....but I suspect that there may be a little performance left to flesh out of the unit.

One of our members here, Heavystarch/Ryan, is culling together a list of intersted parties that want to try out his transformers (about $150-$175 a pair). Using these, as speaker cables, allows your receiver to 'see' a higher impedance of 2x the actual. That is, 4 ohm becomes an 8 ohm load...and resultant betterment thereof.

So, the JVC F10 is $250 + $150-175 for the transformers = $425+. Chump change for good sound and most of the bells and whistles you could ever want.

Once you take care of those front 4 ohm'ers, the rear 8 ohms speakers should be handled with aplomb.

I put my higher sensitivity/impedence Vandy's in the other day and I sheepishly

found out I had one speaker lead reversed (+ for -, etc). For all I know, when I hook up the Maggie again with the right polarity, it may sound perfectly fine.

I plan to report back when I do to all as a few of us have 4 ohm'ers out there.

Red Dragon Audio · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Dec 2004, 11:06 pm »

Hey fellas,

I just spoke with the transformer designers again the other day and they were looking at "cores" for my design. They said an EI core but I told them I wanted the bandwidth of 20Hz - 30kHz (I just figured I shoudl get the top end extension up there since high rez formats and digital amps might want to do something up there for us).

anyway, that said, it's going to be a little while I think til they are ready.

I will have a prototype pair I hope by the end of the year (that is what designer told me). I will try it out in my setup first and send it on to everyone else interested so they can form their own opinion.

Chairguy

oops...I did that once when I had a pair of 1.6's. It was the first day I was hooking them up and I had all my friends over to listen. I had been bragging about how "awesome" these new flat panel speakers were.

They were all getting ready to be blown away by the sound but it was flat and 2dimensional. Just uninvolving. At first I couldn't figure it out but about 1/2 an hour later I got it right.

Having yourspeakers out of phase can make a huge difference in the sound.

what's really nice about Maggies is they are a stable 4ohm load. No dips or peaks in the impedance curve. Just flat throughout. That helps alot I think.

Even if it was just a "wiring mistake" I'll still pass the autoformers on to you as well. never can hurt to try 'em.

Horizons · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Dec 2004, 12:59 am »

Ditto on what ChairGuy and Starch have said.

There is just so much sound/$$ potential from these new breed of digital receivers that it should be well worth the $200 or so to bring a current hungry 4 ohm load up to 8 with an autoformer. In theory, the 100W JVC and Panasonic units should drive any stable 8 ohm load very well.

I will be trying the Maggie 1.6QR + Ryan Autoformers + JVC F10. I won't mince words when I report back. I have tried way too many digital receivers that didn't have the testicular capacity to drive my Maggies. I am crossing my fingers on this.

BikeWNC · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Dec 2004, 01:21 am »

Thanks all, Let me know how things work out.

Andy

Red Dragon Audio · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Dec 2004, 01:27 am »

So far this is the list of folks I have put together that have interest in the autoformer:

-TheChairGuy
-tianguis
-Horizons
-Tsunami
-kck

Have I missed anyone or is anyone wishing to be added?

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Dec 2004, 08:41 am »

Quote from: heavystarch

Even if it was just a "wiring mistake" I'll still pass the autoformers on to you as well. never can hurt to try 'em.

Thanks for being tolerant of even a near idiot

Yeah, even when I get the MMG's back in rotation, in polarity this time, I want the Ryanformers in there. Even if it sounds good in polarity (surprisingly, it sounded good out of polarity - which is either a very high compliment to the overachiving F10, or the Maggie it self or a broad condemnation of my hearing prowess

) I think it can be improved upon.

Horizons, prepare to be surprised...minimally, at least to start.

Anyhooch, looking forward to the Ryanformers - whenever.