AV amp pre-outs into a stereo amp from a different manufacturer - any SQ issues?

[admin_exported]

Hi all,

I'm looking into replacing my AV amp (CA 540R v3) with a new HD Audio model.

Currently on the list of models to audition are the Yamaha DSP-AX863SE and the Sony STR-DA3400ES.

Anyway, the L/R pre-outs are fed into my stereo amp (CA 740A) which acts as a power amp when watching movies. Now obviously the two amps are well matched sonically being from the same manufacturer, so if I was to use an AV amp from a different company, would there be any noticable difference in the sound between the L/R speakers and the other channels?

Or do I wait for the 640R v2 to come out?

Thanks,

Brian

 

[Lost Angeles]

My Onkyo feeds my Audiolab 8000A for front speakers and I do not notice any difference, buy the best AV amp you can.

 

[Dan Turner]

I did this with a Denon HC amp and and Arcam stereo amp and I could tell the tonal difference between the different channels as sounds panned accross the front. It can work, but proceed with caution and definitely demo before spending any cash.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Brian123:
Hi all,

I'm looking into replacing my AV amp (CA 540R v3) with a new HD Audio model.

Currently on the list of models to audition are the Yamaha DSP-AX863SE and the Sony STR-DA3400ES.

Anyway, the L/R pre-outs are fed into my stereo amp (CA 740A) which acts as a power amp when watching movies. Now obviously the two amps are well matched sonically being from the same manufacturer, so if I was to use an AV amp from a different company, would there be any noticable difference in the sound between the L/R speakers and the other channels?

Or do I wait for the 640R v2 to come out?

Thanks,

Brian

You will be fine. I have the 840A and the 3400es and it sounds great.

 

[aliEnRIK]

I use a denon av amp with preouts to an arcam P1000 multichannel amp with no problems (main speakers are even biamped)

 

[Anonymous]

As i've been hearing lots about using a power amp in line with an av reciever have a couple of questions if anyone can answer.

The whole idea of using the power amp at the same time, does that improve the sound quality for two channel. Especially for music?

Also how are the speakers wired up for Multichannel? Do you have the front channels in to the two channel amp, then the centre and surrounds into the av receiver?

Currently using and Onkyo 806 with B&W 685 kit.

 

[margetti]

michael_walkden:
The whole idea of using the power amp at the same time, does that improve the sound quality for two channel. Especially forÿmusic?

ÿYes, when plugging stereo source into the stereo amp.ÿ
michael_walkden:
Also how are the speakers wired up for Multichannel? Do you have the front channels in to the two channel amp, then the centre and surrounds into the av receiver?

ÿÿ

Spot on.

rgdsÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds good.

Would like to have a seperate 2 channel amp with CD player. So I can use My panny BD-55 with Movies and the CD for music.

IS there any ball park figure that you should maybe spend on the 2 channel amp? or would most (say lower end marantz) be an improvement?

Another question thats come to mind.

When you watching a blu ray in HD sound, all the sound is going from the HDMI to the amp. If you have the front channels connected to a seperate amp using decent phono cables will you be losing any quality in sound for films as the source is connected to the av amp, not the 2 channel amp?

 

[Andrew Everard]

margetti:michael_walkden:
The whole idea of using the power amp at the same time, does that improve the sound quality for two channel. Especially for music?

Yes, when plugging stereo source into the stereo amp.

Though just to clarify, for this you need a stereo integrated amplifier, not a stereo power amplifier.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Andrew.

I thought this might come up when I was writing this.

But as I don't know, whats the difference between the 2?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Power amp: purely the engine room - takes a signal in, amplifies by a set amount, sends it to the speakers.

Integrated amplifier adds source selector, volume control, and sometimes tone controls.

This is a power amp

and this is an integrated amp

 

[Anonymous]

Straight forward and with pictures. I like it.

Is the any rule of thumb in regards to what quality of amp (price/make) you should add to an av receiver in order to get an improvement in quality?

 

[margetti]

Generally speaking a stereo amp about half the price of the av amp will offer an improvement for music, so I believe. But with your equipment list I think I'd be wanting to push the spend up a bit if I could...

 

[Anonymous]

Will never argue with needing to spend more on AV equipment.

Toying with weather just to leave the AV kit as it is and have a stereo set up completely seperately. Like the Roksan Kandy.

Only issue is space and buying everything including speakers.

 

[margetti]

I've not heard the Kandy, but from what I've read I would have thought that it would wipe the floor vs the Onk for 2-channel music...

 

[Anonymous]

I too have been toying with the idea to add my creek amp to my onkyo 875 via pre outs but as 'Michael_Walkden' was saying quote:
"When you watching a blu ray in HD sound, all the sound is going from the HDMI to the amp. If you have the front channels connected to a seperate amp using decent phono cables will you be losing any quality in sound for films as the source is connected to the av amp, not the 2 channel amp?"
I don't think anybody answered this and I too would be interested to know how much quality would be lost and if the whole thing is worth it over just having a separate stereo amp and speakers? cheers

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Paulthefilmfan:I too have been toying with the idea to add my creek amp to my onkyo 875 via pre outs but as 'Michael_Walkden' was saying quote:
"When you watching a blu ray in HD sound, all the sound is going from the HDMI to the amp. If you have the front channels connected to a seperate amp using decent phono cables will you be losing any quality in sound for films as the source is connected to the av amp, not the 2 channel amp?"
I don't think anybody answered this and I too would be interested to know how much quality would be lost and if the whole thing is worth it over just having a separate stereo amp and speakers? cheers

What Creek amp do you have? I have the Evo and the reason I sold it was because it wouldn't work in this situation. You are unable to separate the pre and power on the Evo.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a feeling mine is exactly the same. Creek cas4040, So there is no way you can run the pre-out of the 875 into say...a spare tape input on the creek? I think there is a creek amp on ebay that can separate pre and power. I only need power for movies, is that right? cheers

 

[margetti]

Struggled to come up with a clear answer for the OP.

As my own config sounds good to me, I haven't actually made the effort to compare the two setups.

As we're talking about putting in a decent stereo amp into the equation there shouldn't be a loss of quality IMO. Tonal matching of the stereo and AV amp may have an impact though on the movement of sound from one speaker to another.

ÿ

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Paulthefilmfan:I have a feeling mine is exactly the same. Creek cas4040, So there is no way you can run the pre-out of the 875 into say...a spare tape input on the creek? I think there is a creek amp on ebay that can separate pre and power. I only need power for movies, is that right? cheers

That's right. I tried all the spare inputs on my Evo and it didn't work. I thought it was my receiver's fault but I spoke with Mike Creek and he said that it was the Evo. Yes, you only need power for the front two.

 

[Anonymous]

Bummer. I still might try it to see if works, but I somehow know that I will be back on here saying that it hasen't, lol. If not then I may just get some other speakers and have a seperate system right next to my current one.

 

[Anonymous]

I think I have solved the issue.

Go out and buy a complete seperate 2 channel set up.

Ah......now that was easy.