Using Stereo Amp and AVR in tandem

[admin_exported]

I currently have a Denon AVR1910 which I love, but want to push my NAD cd player and some EB1 speaker's a bit further... is there a way a can switch between my current AVR amp and a better similarly priced stereo amp (say c£400) whilst using the same front speakers?

I suppose the best situ would be to use my AVR for movies and switch to a new stereo amp for music using the same speakers - running them in tandem effectively. Please tell me this is easily done and I'm missing a trick!

Martyn

 

[The_Lhc]

You can't have two amps connected to the same set of speakers. The usual thing to do is plug the speakers in to the hi-fi amp, then take the front left and right channels from the AV amps pre-outs into the hi-fi amp for listening to movies etc.

The problem you have is that your AV amp, the Denon 1910 doesn't HAVE the necessary pre-outs for you to do this. So you're stuffed, unless you buy a new AV amp.

 

[Andrew Everard]

And now the polite version of that answer...

Unfortunately the Denon doesn't have preout sockets - if it did, you could connect its front channel outputs through the stereo amp and that would provide the solution.

As a result, some cable-swapping is probably your only solution, switching the connections between stereo amp and AV receiver depending on what you want to listen to.

There's at least one 'two amps in, one pair of speakers out' switching box out there for this job, but AFAIK it's only sold in the States, and I'm not sure what effect it may have on the overall sound quality.

 

[Anonymous]

Wow speedy answer there - just as I thought sadly.

On the suggestion you've made, would I have to change the volume on both stereo and avr seporately?

 

[Anonymous]

Hm this sounds interesting... I'll look into this unit, though would be interested to hear whether anyone else has used Andrew's option in regards to sound quality- this is a winner so far...

 

[Dave_]

Andrew Everard:
There's at least one 'two amps in, one pair of speakers out' switching box out there for this job, but AFAIK it's only sold in the States, and I'm not sure what effect it may have on the overall sound quality.

As it happens, whilst parusing Stan Beresfords site the other day-I noticed THIS!

If i've read it correctly, this switch can either switch between two sets of amps or speakers or both..

 

[Andrew Everard]

You could use something like this to switch between two amps - or in your case amp and receiver - into one pair of speakers, but a) you'd probably need to build a box of some kind to house it, since it's designed for wall-mounting in US-standard wall-boxes, and b) the speaker terminals will only take very weedy cable, which will impact on the sound.

Unfortunately it's not advisable to use the more commonly available 'one amp to two sets of speakers' switchboxes back to front - so to speak - as it's possible to connect both outputs, which in your case would be inputs, at the same time. And connecting the output stages of two amps to each other is a seriously bad idea!

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:

You could use something like this to switch between two amps - or in your case amp and receiver - into one pair of speakers, but a) you'd probably need to build a box of some kind to house it, since it's designed for wall-mounting in US-standard wall-boxes, and b) the speaker terminals will only take very weedy cable, which will impact on the sound.

Unfortunately it's not advisable to use the more commonly available 'one amp to two sets of speakers' switchboxes back to front - so to speak - as it's possible to connect both outputs, which in your case would be inputs, at the same time. And connecting the output stages of two amps to each other is a seriously bad idea!

Yes - I've heard some horrible stories of trying this... duly noted!

Thanks everyone so far - I've certainly been given more to think about than i expected. any other ideas definately welcome!

Martyn

 

[WishTree]

I was in the same situation. Just today upgraded the AVR to 2310 and put Marantz PM 7003 with it for front speakers. Ran only for few hours.

As mentioned already 1910 can't support this kind of set up.

Regarding the improvement by putting a stereo amp together in such a set up, I will write about it in few days.

 

[Mr. Iceman]

Martyn,

Stan Beresford makes 'TC-7220 Audio Router', which appears to be the solution you are looking for (inter-switchable 2 amps + 2 pairs of speakers).

Check it out on http://www.beresford.me/PP/TC2D7220_AUDIO_ROUTER.html and let us know what you think.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, looks like that would do the trick...

 

[Anonymous]

Mr. Iceman:
Martyn,

Stan Beresford makes 'TC-7220 Audio Router', which appears to be the solution you are looking for (inter-switchable 2 amps + 2 pairs of speakers).

Check it out on http://www.beresford.me/PP/TC2D7220_AUDIO_ROUTER.html and let us know what you think.


I think this is clearly my solution. Thanks for everyone responding - and for £50 its worth a punt.

cheers all!