receiver amp question

[seanski]

im looking at this reciever, and it is rated at 5x125w. in the manual, it says for stereo:
• Power output, stereo mode, 6 Ω, THD 0.7%, 40 Hz~20 kHz ........................................2 100 W

for 5.1, it says this:
• Surround mode, only channel driven
Front power output, 6 Ω, 1 kHz, THD 0.7 % .................................................. .............125 W+125 W
Center power output, 6 Ω, 1 kHz, THD 0.7 % .................................................. .............125 W
Rear power output, 6 Ω, 1 kHz, THD 0.7 % .................................................. .............125 W+125 W

what does "only channel driven" wattage mean?
will all 5 channels push 125 watts? or is it just a clever way of getting around it? and also, for stereo it says 40~20kHz, and for surround it only says 1kHz. what is the difference there?

sorry im such a n00b :P

thanks in advance

[aud19]

Yes, it's a clever way of getting around it, as you stated. Marketing mumbo jumbo.

Basically it's easier for an amp/power supply do drive one channel at a given wattage then say five at the same wattage. It's also easier to drive that wattage a 1kHz than be able to drive a full range signal (particularly lower Hz signals as they require more power than higher Hz signals). So no, you will not see 125W X 5 ch at full range. You'll probably be lucky to get 1/3 that. That said, if you have relatively efficient speakers, that receiver may work and sound perfectly nice. But as you get in to better higher end gear they do tend to be rated full range with all channels driven.

[seanski]

thanks!

thats kinda what i figured though...

i am looking for a budget a/v receiver (although i could really care less about the video part)

all i really need is 2x100w, but i really want one with a pre-out for a powered woofer.

i dont really care about lots of fancy options and features, i just want something that is solid and reliable and does what i need it to.

i could use this one for that because it does push 100 watts out both front channels, and it has a pre-out for the sub, but i want some other options.

if anyone has any advice on some good options i am all ears.

unfortunately, my price range is about $150... so that really limits me

thanks in advance

[aud19]

You're not likely to get much above 30-40WPC of real power in that price range unfortunately unless you can find a deal on something used. Realistically though most relatively efficient speakers will run ok in a small/mid sized room with 40-75W. For example the Rotel 1058/1550 receivers (at more than 10X your budget) are "only" rated at 75WPC and IMO have more real power and will likely sound better than most mass market brands rated at 125WPC or more.

As for recommendations, I really like Onkyo's lower-mid line but even the 606 is about 2.5X your budget. My suggestion is to save up a bit longer and get something along those lines. If you desire more power you could even move up to the 706 which itself is rated 10WPC higher than the 606 but also has pre-outs to add an external amplifier later if you crave more power.

[Glen B]

Sean,
Your best bet near your price range is probably the Onkyo TX-8555 stereo receiver. It delivers 100W x 2, is 4-ohm capable, and has a subwoofer output. It is available for $190.00 as factory reconditioned stock from Accessories4Less.

Factory reconditioned means the item was returned for any one of a number of reasons, none of which may necessarily involve operational reliability. Such products are checked out at the factory, serviced or cleaned if necessary, certified as operating to spec, and made available for resale. Factory reconditioned products almost always come with manufacturer warranty.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTX8555/Onkyo/TX-8555-2-Channel-Stereo-Receiver-100W-x-2ch-BLACK/1.html

Glen

[seanski]

Sean,
Your best bet near your price range is probably the Onkyo TX-8555 stereo receiver. It delivers 100W x 2, is 4-ohm capable, and has a subwoofer output. It is available for $190.00 as factory reconditioned stock from Accessories4Less.

Factory reconditioned means the item was returned for any one of a number of reasons, none of which may necessarily involve operational reliability. Such products are checked out at the factory, serviced or cleaned if necessary, certified as operating to spec, and made available for resale. Factory reconditioned products almost always come with manufacturer warranty.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTX8555/Onkyo/TX-8555-2-Channel-Stereo-Receiver-100W-x-2ch-BLACK/1.html

Glen

nice! thanks!

thats something to defenitely consider!

[Alaric]

Price drop! Now $149.99. http://www.accessories4less.com/make...h-BLACK/1.html

Also , the Onkyos don't sound bad at all , better than their price point.

[Glen B]

Price drop! Now $149.99. http://www.accessories4less.com/make...h-BLACK/1.html

Also , the Onkyos don't sound bad at all , better than their price point.

No price drop, its a different receiver. The TX-8522 does not have the subwoofer preout he wants. The TX-8555 does.

[aud19]

P Also , the Onkyos don't sound bad at all , better than their price point.

I'll second that, they make better sounding equipment than their price points suggest.

I still vote for saving longer and getting a more fully featured unit that will last you longer if it all possible though. You'll thank me in the long run but I know... money doesn't grow on trees, especially now.

[seanski]

I'll second that, they make better sounding equipment than their price points suggest.

I still vote for saving longer and getting a more fully featured unit that will last you longer if it all possible though. You'll thank me in the long run but I know... money doesn't grow on trees, especially now.

yeah, im looking at a couple higher end pioneer units too. i guess i will have to make a decision sometime, but it wont be soon because i dont have enough money for anything right now really. its going to have to wait until summer.