Shawn, yes even a "cheaper receiver" can power separate speakers because there's an amplifier inside it. The 5508 is a pre-pro, not a receiver, and doesn't have the capability to power any sort of speakers since it doesn't contain a power amplifier. As was said, your 5500 will supply the necessary amplification, and when used with your 5508 the power and processing of the 5008 receiver is essentially duplicated.

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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.