Going to Surround from stereo

[admin_exported]

Hello, I want to upgrade my system to a home cinema setup, but I don't know how I could just bypass it and use my stereo amplifier for music through the two front speakers. Is this possible to retain my lovely Accuphase E307 and then also have something seperate to do surround duties on the same speakers?

Kind regards to all.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Melody:
Hello, I want to upgrade my system to a home cinema setup, but I don't know how I could just bypass it and use my stereo amplifier for music through the two front speakers. Is this possible to retain my lovely Accuphase E307 and then also have something seperate to do surround duties on the same speakers?

Kind regards to all.




Yes, this has been covered many times on here before. I was in the same predicament a few months back. All you need is an AV receiver which has pre outs for the front left and right channels. You then connect your front left and right to your stereo amp and the remaining speakers and subwoofer to your AV receiver. You then need to connect your receiver to your amp. Use stereo interconnects from your pre outs on your receiver to a free input on your stereo amp. The new crop of receivers will have auto calibration capabilities. Set your stereo amp at 12 O'clock and remember it needs to be at that volume when you listen to surround. Run the auto calibration and your receiver will synch all the channels. You then only need your stereo amp on when listening to cds and both amp and receiver when using the surround sound.

 

[Dave_]

would this work with a bi-amped set up,

 

[Anonymous]

yes

 

[Dave_]

cool, you've just solved all my problems, been wondering if there was a way of doin this for a while, as i didn't really want to have to run 2 systems, i.e 1 for music and 1 for movies,

 

[Anonymous]

No need, if your receiver allows.

 

[Dave_]

was thinkin about going down the denon avr 1909 route, would that work,

 

[Anonymous]

no

 

[Dave_]

why not, thought as long as it had pre out should be ok, can any one suggest any other receivers, not onkyo though, as i really dont like them,

 

[Gerrardasnails]

daveh75:why not, thought as long as it had pre out should be ok, can any one suggest any other receivers, not onkyo though, as i really dont like them,

The 1909, like the Onkyo 606, doesn't have pre outs. The new Sony out, STR-DA2400es, which is being tested by the mag at the moment I think, does have pre outs, and all that the other receivers mentioned have. In fact it upscales to 1080p (Onkyo only 1080i).

 

[Dave_]

thanks, gerrard, may have a look at the denon avr 2808 that has pre outs, and up scales to 1080p, i think, but will keep my eye out for the sony too,

 

[Gerrardasnails]

daveh75:thanks, gerrard, may have a look at the denon avr 2808 that has pre outs, and up scales to 1080p, i think, but will keep my eye out for the sony too,

I've seen and heard the 2808 in action - it is excellent. However, only 2 hdmi inputs is stingy in it's price range. If you don't need anymore hdmi's and you are certain you won't in the future, there are deals aplenty for the 2808 as it has now been superceded.

 

[Dave_]

think i'm gonna give it an audition next weekend, as for only having only 2 hdmi's, i dont see that as a problem, only need it for sky/ blueray at mo anyway,but if i needed more could always get an hdmi switch in any case,

 

[Anonymous]

I value my stereo music set up much more than my HC, but do appreciate surround for films and games. I got my Sony 1200es from Richer Sounds for £180, and absolute bargain if you ask me. In the budget receiver price range I find Sony's sound the most agreeable, the aesthetics the best and the features are outstanding.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Octopo:I value my stereo music set up much more than my HC, but do appreciate surround for films and games. I got my Sony 1200es from Richer Sounds for £180, and absolute bargain if you ask me. In the budget receiver price range I find Sony's sound the most agreeable, the aesthetics the best and the features are outstanding.

Couldn't agree more - I have the same receiver (paid at the time a great price of £299). The Denon though will give better sound.

 

[Anonymous]

Look at the Yamaha DSP-800, it was designed for this very purpose. I have one of these and it's feeding the signal to a pair of bi-amped (cambridge Audio P500's) floor standing speakers (Mission 734i's) for the Left and Right channels through one of the selections on the control amp (Cambridge Audio C500). It's three on board amplification paths feed the centre and rear left & right channels. It also has outputs for externaly amplified centre and rear speakers and the all important (to some) subwoofer channel. It also has the usual array for surround sound effects programs but I tend to leave it on DTS or standard depending on what the DVD is coded in.

I've had it for a little while now as it's quite an old model in Hi-Fi terms but for the money you can't go wrong.