Pairing an intergrated amp with multi-channel amp

[Sabby]

Is it possible to add an intergrated stereo amp to my Marantz multi-channel amp just to run the main speakers. I am hoping to improve the sound in stereo playback with a dedicated CD player.

 

[speed1268]

Hi,Yes it is.I have done this as i have better quality integrated than my Pioneer A/V amp.Their are a few things to look at though!

1)Does your marantz have pre-out connectors on the back?

2)Does your integrated amp have a surround button or bypass switch?

For example i have 2x rca connectors from my A/V amp(labelled front speakers on amp).These are connected to my integrated amp via the input 4(let's say,which ever works with the surround/bypass-see instruction manual!!).Then when i want to go to 5.1 i simply select the surround button(which basically shoves that signal through your integrated amp using it's power not the A/V's)and Bob's your Uncle!.But remember that your front speakers must be connected to your integrated amp not the Marantz(Sorry if this sounds basic!!)

I hope that this sounds okay,Regards speed1268

 

[Lost Angeles]

If you use a AV amp with a Stereo amp the usual way to set up is as follows

1) The front left and right preouts of the A/V Receiver go to an input on the stereo amp (Tape 2 for example)
2) Some stereo amps (not many) have a fixed-level input especially for this purpose so you can miss this step out: otherwise set the volume of your stereo amp to about 10 o'clock and run your speaker calibration routine on the receiver. Then always use this volume setting on the stereo amp whenever you watch AV - overall volume is handled by the receiver.
3) When watching AV, have both amps on - the stereo amp will handle the front speakers, the AV amp will handle the rest.
4) When watching stereo, the AV amp is out of the equation so won;t degrade the sound.

 

[Sabby]

I was told by a few dealers that using an intergrated amp would not be possible and I could only use a power amp to connect to a multi-channel amp. The Marantz that I am using has pre-outs for all channels, so would I still be able to use an intergrated amp in this setup, contrary to what these dealers have been telling me?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, as explained above.

 

[Sabby]

Could somebody then please suggest a good budget amp to drive a pair of Monitor Audio S6's.

 

[Andrew Everard]

TBH, I wouldn't use a budget amp with the RS6s

 

[speed1268]

Hi,Dependent on the Marantz,could you bi-amp the front end,this would give you good gains without the additional costs.Plus most people i would have thought only use an additional integrated amp to power the front end when it is subsequently better than the A/V,this could mean spending a lot of money!!Regards speed1268

 

[Andrew Everard]

Exactly my point - well, your last bit, anyway...

 

[Sabby]

What would be your suggestions then going further up the scale beyond budget amps.

 

[Andrew Everard]

For those speakers I'd be thinking upper-end Cambridge Audio, Roksan Kandy, lower-end Cyrus or Naim as a minimum.

Or I'd be having a look in the bay of fleas for a clean secondhand midrange Arcam or Musical Fidelity or recent vintage...