How to use stereo set up for 5.1 movies by adding avr n spkrs

[rahul_muzik]

Hi


I have a good stereo set up....very much want a ht but the question of using the speakers for avr n amp is hindering me to do so. Thought of using an avr with front L/R with my stereo speakers but feeding both cud be dangerous to either avr or amp. If both accidentally turn on cud be dangerous to all.a switcher may degrade sq. I have not seen any avr with Front L/R giving a amplifiable out(i don't mean line level out) as that can not be given to amplifier. How you people do?

TIA

 

[efernand1]

Hi

Please let us know what brand of stereo set up you have....also let us know what is the size of listening area /HT area....your budget and specific feature expectation...we can guide you further...which city in India are you based in?

 

[tuff]

There are few av receivers that have pre outs, or getting an av processor should do the job.

 

[rahul_muzik]

My setup is pmc .23 floor standers with an Yamaha int amp fed via Evo dac connected to pc via USB. Now I want to use my stereo speakers as front for avr too. Since my int amp is already connected , i have to either use a switcher or connecting both could affect each other. Iam interested to buy avr n 3 speakers with sub to make it 5.1 but I think using the same speaker for both amp n avr is not possible( I don't know ,cud b possible. I didn't try) . Pre-out is different thing, it will carry all the audio signal not particularly the front L/R which I'm interested in. Else the front will also sound when only surround has to sound. If avr gives the front L R as pre-out then I can use it as separate input in my amp to drive them in which case I have to turn on both avr n amp to complete home theatre which is not a problem for me.Hope I'm clear what I want to say.Yes an av processor can do, but I have to buy a power amp then. Big project all together. Looking around to find simple solution. I have one idea is to use pc sound card. For that , I should have another pc as my pc presently is dedicated audio pc with minimum software installed. And don't know whether a pc sound card out be directly given to power amp

 

[tuff]

:sad:I don't see any other option than getting a A/B switch. Wouldn't recommend connecting to amps to the same speaker.

 

[Naturelover]

There are a couple of options, a switcher being one of them. Though, at your level, I would advice against it. I have tried it with a lesser system and it does degrade the sound quite noticeably.

Some integrated amps, including a couple of Yamahas, have an HT bypass switch. Does yours? If it does, you are good to go. Else you could look to change your integrated to one that does.
There are lists available on the net.
This basically allows you to use the integrated as a power amp with an AVR.

If your integrated does not have an HT bypass and you connect the AVR pre-outs to it, you will have two volume controls which can be tricky.
I researched this a few years back so not sure if I remember the nitty gritty here.
Look up "HT bypass" and "connect AVR and stereo amp" on Google. Plenty of user experiences on various forums will come up.

Lastly, as I figured it when I was trying to do the exact same thing, what are you trying to achieve here? Basically, just two speakers less.
Is it really worthwhile? I thought it wasn't and got myself a Quad Lite for the HT and was very satisfied.

This is my previous setup and does not match my signature as I have changed setups since then.

 

[MaSh]

My setup is pmc .23 floor standers with an Yamaha int amp fed via Evo dac connected to pc via USB. Now I want to use my stereo speakers as front for avr too. Since my int amp is already connected , i have to either use a switcher or connecting both could affect each other. Iam interested to buy avr n 3 speakers with sub to make it 5.1 but I think using the same speaker for both amp n avr is not possible( I don't know ,cud b possible. I didn't try) . Pre-out is different thing, it will carry all the audio signal not particularly the front L/R which I'm interested in. Else the front will also sound when only surround has to sound. If avr gives the front L R as pre-out then I can use it as separate input in my amp to drive them in which case I have to turn on both avr n amp to complete home theatre which is not a problem for me.Hope I'm clear what I want to say.Yes an av processor can do, but I have to buy a power amp then. Big project all together. Looking around to find simple solution. I have one idea is to use pc sound card. For that , I should have another pc as my pc presently is dedicated audio pc with minimum software installed. And don't know whether a pc sound card out be directly given to power amp

The Pre Out in a receiver would be For each channel. Front Pre Out is very common. These will not have the signal for rest of the channels. The receiver would send the Center signal to Front only if it does find a Center Speaker connected. Rear channel is never sent to Front Pre Out.

With that cleared, If you stereo amp has separate Pre and Mains section, then connect the Pre Out from receiver to the Mains IN of the Stereo Amp. Both receiver and amp will be On for 5.1 and stereo. Volume will always be adjusted from the receiver. Volume on stereo amp will not work. If there is no Mains In, then connect the Pre Out from receiver to any Input on the stereo amp, ex. CD. When in 5.1 mode, receiver and amp need to be On. If you have a separate chain for Music only, then you can connect your DAC to another input, ex AUX on the Stereo Amp. In this case, only the stereo amp needs to be ON with input set to AUX.

This is how I am using my Marantz and NAD. Front speakers are connected to NAD, while Center and Surrounds are connected to the receiver. The SUB hacks into the Front Pre Out coming from the receiver, acts as a Crossover, and sends all signal above 80Hz to NAD. This way I have the SUB playing in tune with the Front Speakers.

Hope I managed to clear some of your doubts.

MaSh

 

[elangoas]

What is the AVR you are planning to get, Yamaha amp model #?

If you want to use the same speakers for HT & stereo, but take advantage of external DAC, then connect your PC -> DAC via USB and use the Analogue out from the DAC to the AVR analogue in..

This way your external DAC is fully utilised to it's potential without AVR's DAC in-between..

 

[MaSh]

What is the AVR you are planning to get, Yamaha amp model #?

If you want to use the same speakers for HT & stereo, but take advantage of external DAC, then connect your PC -> DAC via USB and use the Analogue out from the DAC to the AVR analogue in..

This way your external DAC is fully utilised to it's potential without AVR's DAC in-between..

I have this in mind and not putting it into practice due to where laziness. Would it by pass Auddyssey? How much of a difference if any compared to dac going directly to stereo amp?

MaSh

 

[elangoas]

I have this in mind and not putting it into practice due to where laziness. Would it by pass Auddyssey? How much of a difference if any compared to dac going directly to stereo amp? MaSh

If you use the Pure Direct function in stereo, it will bypass Audyssey..

Budget AVR internals are said to be compromised than the one's found on stereo amp..There might be slight improvement if you use dedicated stereo amp.. An A/B comparison can make it evident..

Have tried it in the past.. Try it and share your experience..

 

[MaSh]

If you use the Pure Direct function in stereo, it will bypass Audyssey..

Budget AVR internals are said to be compromised than the one's found on stereo amp..There might be slight improvement if you use dedicated stereo amp.. An A/B comparison can make it evident..

Have tried it in the past.. Try it and share your experience..

That's true. I have tried pure direct with hdmi compared to dac connected to stereo amp and there is Absolutely no comparison. Direct connection to stereo amp is leagues ahead of pure direct in Marantz.

Got to try the analog input in receiver compared to direct analog connected to stereo amp.

MaSh