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General discussion

High current receiver?

Jul 6, 2004 11:56PM PDT

Hello. Can anyone tell me the difference between a high current receiver and one that isn't listed as high current? Is there a major difference in performance? Thanks for any help.

Discussion is locked

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Re: High current receiver?
Jul 7, 2004 3:33AM PDT
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Re: High current receiver?
Jul 7, 2004 11:58AM PDT

I'm definitely not an audiophile just want my movies to sound good. I'm debating between the HK AVR 230 and the Pioneer 912k. The HK is only $50.00 bucks more but I don't know if the high current makes it a better receiver than the Pioneer

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Re: High current receiver?
Jul 8, 2004 1:02AM PDT

The more I read the more confusing I am, hehe. You notice the power rating of each unit? HK is 50w/ch and Pioneer is 110w/ch but yet it seems to cost quite abit less. I wonder if they are rated the same way? Here are some interesting customer rating and review (if you haven't already read it:

http://www.circuitcity.com/display_review.jsp?b=b&c=2&catoid=-8021&OID=79249&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&ct=0&BV_SessionID=@@@@1961792356.1089298088@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccciadclmfklimgcfngcfkmdffhdffl.0

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Re: High current receiver?
Aug 22, 2004 3:47AM PDT

High current receivers tend to be able to deliver their full power into low impedance loads. This is important as many high quality speakers have their impedance values drop to quite low values (less than 3 ohms) at certain frequencies. I would look for power supplies that are 45 amps plus in ther spec. sheets. These high current power supplies do raise the cost of the product though.

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High Current
Jun 22, 2005 12:52AM PDT

High current receivers use larger transformers to deliver a much more constant power than non-high-current. They use more wattage at lower volumes, typically have a much lower THD rating (often >.09), and have a greater overall frequency range. Most also incorporate large capacitors to deliver what is known in the industry as ''power on demand'' or IHF headroom. This means that for short periods of time, the receiver can actually provide more power than is rated to meet peaks in power draw.

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High current receiver?
Jun 22, 2005 1:33AM PDT

Some times you have to read between the lines.
Reciver brand A 60w per channel but only two channels a time will give 60w.
Reciver Brand B 60w per channel ALL channels driven at the same time will give 60w.
Clearly reciver B has a MUCH bigger power supply so it can supply full power to all the chanels.
So the term used is high current PS. John

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close
Jun 30, 2005 3:28PM PDT

A high current receiver is capable of running a load of 6ohms or less ( 4 0hms anyone) usually they're going to take you over the $1200 price point, most are in the $2000 range. In a watts range this is over 110, at 8ohms.