processor or receiver

[admin_exported]

ifor yrs ive had my sony 1200es receiver and i have thoroughly enjoyed it but its time i also enjoyed hd codecs but i dont want to get rid of my sony. im wondering if i cannot still use it as a power amp if i got myself a budget processor or receiver. urgent help needed as i seek to upgrade, pls keep it budget. many thanks

 

[HiFiHunter]

Yes you could do this. The 1200ES has '7.1 external source/decoder input', thus it can take 8 channels of analogue input, which will bypass its digital circuitary.

So you can get yourself a separate processor (e.g. Audiolab 8000AP), then feed its 7.1 analogue outputs into the above inputs on the Sony. The Sony won't do any EQ/bass management, so this will have to be setup on the processor. You will however find the volume on both the processor and Sony will be in effect, so you will probably want to just set the Sony reasonably high and leave it.