[happy]

I am looking to change my living room 2 channel setup into a HT setup for movies and sacd/dvda playback and need help finding a reciever.  I would prefer to buy used as I think I could get more for my money and my budget would be ~$600.  My main concern is sound quality and the ability to drive 4ohm speakers.  Any ideas?  Thanks

[Levi]

You can probably be happy with a Denon receiver.  Have to tried going to agon?  Goodluck.

[happy]

Thanks.  Actually I was leaning towards a Denon since it would be paired with a Denon dvd2900.  I did check audiogon and elswhere and the avr-3905 seems to get really good reviews and would be in my price range.  Would something like this be a good choice even though it is a few years old, or should I look for something a little newer?

[MaxCast]

If the Denon can handle 4 ohms I'd stick with the Denon.
Try www.videogon.com
and any other home theater forum.  The ususally have for sale section.

[pearsall001]

NAD is another top brand to check out. A 4ohm load is a walk in the park for them.

http://nadelectronics.com/index

[PhilNYC]

NAD is another top brand to check out. A 4ohm load is a walk in the park for them.

http://nadelectronics.com/index

I've owned my fair share of NAD stuff and have really enjoyed it.  But in my limited experience with NAD av receivers, I'd actually recommend going in a different direction (after owning a NAD AV receiver, I went to a Denon and was very happy with it).  I'd also consider looking at Rotel receivers (my dad uses a Rotel with his 4ohm Thiel S1.6 speakers...)

[JLM]

I have an older Rotel A/V stereo receiver.  Made for a nice transition from/balance with audio.  Saved buying 3-5 more speakers, running wires around the room, and put the money into two good channels rather than spread out across 5 - 7 channels.  Currently using it as a pre-amp in my audio sysem (in a pinch).

Rotel is the most rugged built true hi-fi entry product line (mine came with a 10 year warrantee).  I've have several amps in here to try out and nothing handled wobble test tones better, but frankly the power amp section sounds like a dog compared to the better stuff discussed here at AC.  (A solid no-nonsense plow horse among fussy thoroughbreds that I tried out/owned.)

Denon (as a line of receivers) is supposed to have superior multi-channel circuitry for better spatial effects.

[zybar]

Are all your speakers 4 ohms?

What is their sensitivity?

I would try to find a Denon 3805 used and see if that works.

I am using one in my living room setup and it is driving 7 speakers (AV123 x-ls and Swan Divas) with no problem in a fairly large room.

George

[happy]

OK, based upon reviews and price I'm going to look for and try a used denon 3805.  Also, to answer the question, no not all my speakers are 4ohm... my two mains and center are 4ohm diy mtm's and surrounds are 8 ohm diy mt's.  Does this matter?  Either way, since this is my first venture into HT audio I think I'll start here and move on if needed later.

Also one other question.  How do the dacs in recievers like these sound?  Right now I also have a Channel Islands VDA-2 Vac-1 combo and squeezebox which I will be intergrating into this setup as well and was curious if an external dac would be redundant?  Would I be converting digital to analog only to have the reciever reconvert it to digital and then back again?  Do any of you use 2-channel dacs in your HT setups? 

Thanks again.

[windwaves]

I personally don't believe in Nad (I have the T763) and Rotel (auditioned a lot).  I think you are much better of with less expensive Pioneer or Denon as some have mentioned, solid performers for HT, at low prices.  If you want better you've got to go well above the NAD and Rotel level.  Otherwise you are adding very little, if any, to your overall HT sound quality.  That's just my limited experience, keep in mind;  there are dudes around here who know a lot more !

[byteme]

Hate to rain on anything, but the 3805 doesn't switch HDMI and you're gonna regret that eventually - sooner if you're going to try and go with one of the HD DVD formats.

I own a Denon and am very happy with it.  I've also placed Harman Kardon and Marantz receivers with people and they've been VERY happy with them.