Which receiver would you recommend?

[krips]

I'm looking to start building my first HT so I'm looking for receiver recommendations. I'm willing to spend up to around $600 but would prefer spending under $300 if the more expensive receiver would not be leaps and bounds better.
I am planning on building a set (5) of Natalie Ps to run off of whichever receiver I end up getting by the way.
Here are a few of the receivers I've been eying:
Denon AVR-1707 = $260
Harman Kardon AVR 144 = $200
Onkyo TX-SR505 = $230

Thanks for your help.

[subynube]

Running 5 Nat P's on 1 of those receivers will be pretty tough. The speakers are 4 ohm load, and most receivers advertise a minimum of 6-8 ohm loads. You may need to look into something like an inexpensive receiver as a pre-amp processor and then hook up an external amp that advertises to be stable down to a 4 ohm load. I think those receivers you mentioned will get pretty hot and not be able to power the NatP's optimally. Hope this helps.

[krips]

Something like the Outlaw Audio 7075? It will do 115W x 7 @ 4ohms. Are there less expensive options? I don't want to cheap out and do it 'wrong', but the less I spend on this stuff, the sooner I can afford to get a decent TV .

[krips]

I see that the Outlaw Audio Model 970 Preamp/Processor in combination with the Outlaw Audio Model 7075 7-Channel Amp Is only $1000. A good deal? Is this what you guys would recommend over say getting a $1000 THX receiver?

[wkhanna]

Check this out, the Ultra Theater Series :

link

You are going to some decent power to take advantage of those wonderful Nat's.........I know cuz I made them.......
Feed them, Seymour!!!

[subynube]

The outlaw audio and the Emotiva audio are both excellent options for a pre amp and an actual amp. If you can get decent stuff less than $1000, then it is a steal. Either of these options are recommended often on this forum.

[krips]

Would the Outlaw Audio Model 7075 7-Channel Amp be able to push two 10" or 12" Dayton RS subs decently? If so, would the Outlaw 970 allow me to set the lowpass on the sub since I would be without a plate amp?

[littlesaint]

If you are building an HT that you want to last 5, you need a receiver or pre/pro that has HDMI switching. Neither the Emotiva LMC-1 or the Outlaw offer this. I would look at a cheaper receiver that has HDMI and get a good power amp for the speakers. This way you can always upgrade the receiver to a better pre/pro down the road and your amp will still be good. I have the Yamaha v661 as a receiver (~$400) and an Emotiva LPA-1 as an amp (~$499). Under $1000 total and fairly future proof with HDMI switching.

[krips]

Thanks for the tip.

[george_k]

Also, how efficient are those speakers? I'm currently running a set of 90dB efficient speakers off a 50watt x 5 amp and frankly I could use either (a) more efficient speakers or (b) more wattage. I'd pick both but the funds are limited

[krips]

I'm wondering what a good receiver would be to use to power these for a bit until I can afford a power amp (I would then use it as a preamp).
I'm currently looking at the Denon AVR-2307 but I'd like to hear what you guys think.