You might want to shop ebay for a good quality receiver. I think the yamaha is the way to go. I have a yamaha RX-V992 that is similar to what you are looking for, it just does'nt do the auto set-up (bought the 2400 last year for that). I have seen it on ebay once or twice going for closing bids of up to 600.00. Just depends on whether you want new or used. But it is an awesome receiver regardless.

I was looking to buy the Yamaha RXV-2400. Before buying I downloaded the manual. Instead of having a 4/8 ohm switch, it was labeled 6/8 ohm. Since my speakers were 4 ohm, I e-mailed Yamaha. The reply I got was that they would not recommend anything lower than 6 ohms for their new amps. They said they would work with 4 ohm speakers but overheating might be a problem. Not a ringing endorsement.

NO reciever manufacturer will say , "Yeah, drive into 4 ohms it will be fine." The only people that will give you a 'ringing endorsement' is a quality standalone amplifier from companies like AudioControl, B&K, others. Y

Note: The RX-v2400 is the old model. The RX-V 1500 is basically the same unit. They also make the RX-V2500.

As for the Ebay, be advised ALL merchandise bought from Ebay is WITHOUT factory warrantty and is viewed as used even if its new in the box. Caveat Emptor.

Yamaha receivers are much more bulletproof than other manufacturers and are more than capable of the 4 ohm load. As oex said no one is going to guarantee it to you though. With the discrete codes available, the YPAO, and the stability of the Yamaha product I would also suggest their receivers. With the Yamaha receivers you can purposely short out the speaker wires and you will not hurt anything. The receiver will shut off and once you turn it back on it will tell you to "check speaker wire" . Try this with most of the other brands out there, especially Sony or Pioneer...

I say get the Yamaha. You'll be satisfied for years. Make sure to get a model or two above what you think you need for future upgrade options.

Also like oex said, one nice piece at a time can be built into a GREAT system where as compromises must be made to purchase a whole system at one time.

Once again, I like Yamaha, used one of their receivers for over a decade. But the above implications are total crap. Every decent receiver has a shutoff circuit, and they have had them for decades. I'd like to know the definition of "bulletproof", also. Maybe the Mythbusters could help us out here.

I drove my excellent midrange 8 ohm rated Yamaha receiver with 4 ohms a couple times. It was running at redline and tripped the protection circuit almost every time after several minutes at high volume. This is NOT the definition of "more than capable of the 4 ohm load". This is a definition of "I overloaded my receiver and nearly destroyed it because it can't truly handle 4 ohms". If you need a 4 ohm capable receiver for frequent use, buy a 4 ohm capable receiver. That means the top of the line from most companies (including Yamaha), which are typically rated for this. Not a low-end from anybody. You want an excellent rating to use an example, look at the Sunfire or Harman Kardon products. Nice honest ratings for the amp capabilities. Better yet, get separates.

Soooo...I think I am more confused than ever.

Do my speakers suck or what? Is 4 ohms bad or good?

I think I am going for the whole shooting match. I "think" I just got approval from the boss.

So, I was leaning towards the Yamaha 1500. Maybe the model just below that - depending if I want to go with the 2 zone.

Seems that most receivers are not good with my speakers? So will probably replace - the Cerwin Vegas with something that will compliment the receiver - suggestions here would be GREATLY appreciated. May spend 2000 total (receiver and 5.1 surround).

Please help! You know us military guys ain't too bright! ha ha ha

"You know us military guys ain't too bright! "

Automan1 - any recommendations?

automan doesn't give recommendations, just nasty little EE comments. Sorry.


4 ohms isn't good or bad, it's just a rating for the speakers. I suppose you could call it difficult since not too many receivers' amps are really rated for these speakers.

I'm surprised those Yammys (1500, 2500) don't at least list the receivers at 6 ohms, most in the $1000 range do. Maybe they do on other marketing sheets, I've only seen 8 ohm listing when I looked. They will probably be just fine for a few years with 4 ohm speakers if you don't try to run at full power all the time. It's a matter of shortening the life of the amp by overstressing it.

I think I'd like to get some new speakers anyway - no sense spending that money and shorting the life! Right.

Any suggestions on some speakers (movie and music)?

Again - with the receiver I'd like to spend between 1500 & 2000.

www.audiocontrol.com

In this price range?

There are tons of speakers, and everybody has different opinions about each of them. About the only thing that most HT enthusiasts agree on is that they should match sonically for best imaging. You really will need to go listen to speakers yourself to find what you like. If you are only looking at the 2 front speakers, you should try to match your other current speakers, or just plan ahead to buy some of a set now and the rest later.

Here's a few well-received brands that have models in that price range:
Paradigm
Def Tech
Klipsch
Axiom
Rockets (on the web)
NHT
Boston Acoustics