What vintage receivers handle 4 Ohm speakers?

[Mr Peabody]

Didn't say anything was wrong with the amp providing the same watts at 4 or 8 ohms but it's interesting because wattage nearly doubles into 4 ohms if sufficient current, so the 2270 must either have no high current at all which is not good for a 4 ohm load or deals with it in some other manner which I'd be interested in knowing.

And, keep in mind a vintage receiver may drive 4 ohms but there's not to say there isn't going to be consequences. Back in the day of "vintage" receivers I can't think of a 4 ohm speaker built. There could have been but the standard was definitely 8 ohms so no need for manufacturers to make 4 ohm stable receivers. Brands like HK and Onkyo did high current because they realized the improvement the design had on sound quality. There's a difference between what a receiver is designed for and what some are willing to subject it to.

[Geoffcin]

but it's interesting because wattage nearly doubles into 4 ohms if sufficient current, so the 2270 must either have no high current at all which is not good for a 4 ohm load or deals with it in some other manner which I'd be interested in knowing.

And, keep in mind a vintage receiver may drive 4 ohms but there's not to say there isn't going to be consequences. Back in the day of "vintage" receivers I can't think of a 4 ohm speaker built. There could have been but the standard was definitely 8 ohms so no need for manufacturers to make 4 ohm stable receivers.

.

Wattage is a measure of electrical power, basically the ability to do work. Ohms are a measure of resistance to current. 2.83v into an 8 ohm load = 1 watt, 2.83v into a 4 ohm load is 2 watts, 2.83v into a 2 ohm load is 4 watts. As you can see it takes more current (amperes) to to keep the same voltage as resistance is lowered. However, a 4 ohm speaker does not necessarily use more power (wattage) than an 8 ohm speaker.

While you may not remember a vintage speaker that had a 4 ohm resistance, there were, not the least of which is the legendary AR3a. Many vintage receivers were designed to drive 2 pairs of 8 ohm speakers hence a 4 ohm load. Making a receiver that can drive a 4 ohm load was common back then, even more so than today.

[Tarheel_]

There is another route to take...if you have pre-outs, buy a cheap separate amp to drive them. I was just given a pair of Yamaha floor standers which are 6ohm, plus i drive 3 sets of speakers in other rooms

Instead of replacing my 1980s receiver, i purchased a NAD 902 off ebay for $105 shipped. I run it to all the speakers (via speaker selector) and it does a great job without straining my vintage receiver.

[Geoffcin]

There is another route to take...if you have pre-outs, buy a cheap separate amp to drive them. I was just given a pair of Yamaha floor standers which are 6ohm, plus i drive 3 sets of speakers in other rooms

Instead of replacing my 1980s receiver, i purchased a NAD 902 off ebay for $105 shipped. I run it to all the speakers (via speaker selector) and it does a great job without straining my vintage receiver.

Excellent idea!

FYI; Even if your receiver doesn't have pre-out you can still use the tape monitor loop to output signal from the receiver. This is exactly the configuration I use my Pioneer 1500t with. The vintage Pioneer has spectacular FM reception, miles ahead of any garden varity HT receiver.