Upgrade Impulse: Marantz AVR or AMP for Pioneer FS52

[Mayank Shah]

I would suggest stretching your budget a bit if you can and getting the new SR6015 and above. It has a dedicated preamp mode which locks out the power amp section to negate distortion and clipping which usually creeps in when pushing the volume to higher levels even when using a power amplifier via preouts. This will ensure good future upgradability.

Hi, a clarification please. Let's say we take preouts for LCR from the AVR to an external poweramp, obviously we would connect the LCR speakers to the Poweramp. Meaning, the AVR is not going to drive them anyways, so there is no load on the amp section on the AVR. So what is this exclusive preamp mode going to do other than not sending power to its internal amp, even if it does those LCR channels are not being driven by the avr anyways. Thanks.

 

[venkatcr]

Hi, a clarification please. Let's say we take preouts for LCR from the AVR to an external poweramp, obviously we would connect the LCR speakers to the Poweramp. Meaning, the AVR is not going to drive them anyways, so there is no load on the amp section on the AVR. So what is this exclusive preamp mode going to do other than not sending power to its internal amp, even if it does those LCR channels are not being driven by the avr anyways. Thanks.

There are multiple ways of looking at this.

1. Most AVR distribute their amplification power between the channels. If you see the specs they say - 2 channels drive, all channels driven etc. So if a movie needs good sound in all channels, the AVR will struggle to give you the sound. Conversely when that level of amplification is not needed, and you push the AVR, it will start clipping.

2. When you use an external amp on LCR, the AVR will have ample power to power the other channels. That way even when you push the AVR and the external power amp, you will have no clipping. Remember, nearly 80% of most movies go to these channels. Thus when you remove the need for power to these channels, the AVR will have enough strength for the other channels.

3. When you enhance the levels to hear the surround channels properly, you have to enhance the levels of LCR also. Otherwise you will have a skewed amplification. In such a situation, the 80% effect will push the LCR speakers in some parts of the movie leading to clipping.

Cheers

 

[Mayank Shah]

There are multiple ways of looking at this.

1. Most AVR distribute their amplification power between the channels. If you see the specs they say - 2 channels drive, all channels driven etc. So if a movie needs good sound in all channels, the AVR will struggle to give you the sound. Conversely when that level of amplification is not needed, and you push the AVR, it will start clipping.

2. When you use an external amp on LCR, the AVR will have ample power to power the other channels. That way even when you push the AVR and the external power amp, you will have no clipping. Remember, nearly 80% of most movies go to these channels. Thus when you remove the need for power to these channels, the AVR will have enough strength for the other channels.

3. When you enhance the levels to hear the surround channels properly, you have to enhance the levels of LCR also. Otherwise you will have a skewed amplification. In such a situation, the 80% effect will push the LCR speakers in some parts of the movie leading to clipping.

Cheers

Yes, points 1,2 and 3 are all fine, but, preouts are being used since ages and thus the unused power goes to other channels.

What does the exclusive preamp mode as marketed really do, cut the power to amp section, fine no worries, but I am not worried about a non exclusive preamp mode as well, maybe it doesn't cut the power going to the amp section, but those channels are not being used anyways, hence no load on the avr on those channels imho. Cheers.

 

[DB1989]

Yes, points 1,2 and 3 are all fine, but, preouts are being used since ages and thus the unused power goes to other channels.

What does the exclusive preamp mode as marketed really do, cut the power to amp section, fine no worries, but I am not worried about a non exclusive preamp mode as well, maybe it doesn't cut the power going to the amp section, but those channels are not being used anyways, hence no load on the avr on those channels imho. Cheers.

Well, if you look at the audioholics channel on youtube, they performed tests on avrs and when pushed, power was still going to the poweramp section of the AVR though nothing was connected. This resulted in distortion creeping into the preamp section from the power amp section at high volumes which was resulting in clipping. Since its been proven through measurements, i believe its reliable. Check out the marantz 8015 video i’ve posted on the marantz owners thread.

 

[Mayank Shah]

Ok cool. It's quite logical to think that but I stand enlightened. Thanks. Cheers.

 

[Aravindan]

Marantz PM6006 is Built-in DAC