Using AVR as an Amplifier

[bobbydrugar]

Searched but only found threads with the oppisite condition. I am looking in to moving to Seperates. I currently have the Onkyo TX-NR906 (See my Sig) and I have limited power amperage to my apartment. I Know that I couldn't support the Onkyo with its massive amp section and an emotiva UPA 7 at the same time (too much amperage for my circuit). So I was wondering I know its not the best situation but would it be possible and could there be any benifit of purchasing a Preamp Processor for now and connecting the multichannel outs of the preamp to the multichannel in on the onkyo. This would give me a sepeation of the processor components and the AMP section. the onkyo delivers 145 WPC pretty consistantly through the 7 channels. This would tie me over till I could purchase a dedicated AMP like the UPA7 (it will be later next year because I am also looking at a new Plasma TV as Well). Again I am looking to make incremental shifts in my system and was just looking for your thoughts on this.

Thanks,
T

[jlafrenz]

I really wouldn't see any benefit in this. Yes you are getting separate units, but one of the major benefits from a truly separate amp is the power supply and what it is able to deliver. You would still be using the Onkyo onboard amp and not benefiting from the benefits of a truly separate amp. I can say for sure that you would notice any difference having the processing section removed and how it would improve sound. Again, doubt it would be much of a benefit. A separate amp is going to be the way to go.

Do you not have 15 Amp circuits at your place? I run 2 XPA-5's on one circuit without any issue. I think you should be fine with the Onkyo and the UPA-7.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by jlafrenz

I really wouldn't see any benefit in this. Yes you are getting separate units, but one of the major benefits from a truly separate amp is the power supply and what it is able to deliver. You would still be using the Onkyo onboard amp and not benefiting from the benefits of a truly separate amp. I can say for sure that you would notice any difference having the processing section removed and how it would improve sound. Again, doubt it would be much of a benefit. A separate amp is going to be the way to go.

Do you not have 15 Amp circuits at your place? I run 2 XPA-5's on one circuit without any issue. I think you should be fine with the Onkyo and the UPA-7.

I'm not sure if I agree with you on this point my friend. It's almost like saying the processing takes a backseat to amplification, and that's just not true. As each part of an AVR gets seperated out into a seperate component you gain the benefit of better quality parts with those units (in theory anyway).

John

[jlafrenz]

Originally Posted by John72953

I'm not sure if I agree with you on this point my friend. It's almost like saying the processing takes a backseat to amplification, and that's just not true. As each part of an AVR gets seperated out into a seperate component you gain the benefit of better quality parts with those units (in theory anyway).

John

I did not mean that the processing takes a backseat to the amplification. It is obviously important and can make a difference depending on the DAC and analog circuitry. What I was trying to do was make the comparison between an AVR and an amp. A lot of times the amp section is where an AVR skimps and adding an amp will make a noticeable difference, more so than removing the processing part. What it comes down to is that it is still an amp in the AVR, again which are typically weak in some current models. I made this comparison because the OP was talking about adding an amp. Hopefully that clears up some confusion.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Hi Judd,

Yeah, I know where you were coming from, and I'll admit I was playing a bit of Devil's Advocate. Your post as to the OP's orginal question is spot-on....as I too feel he will get a noticeable improvement by adding a dedicated amp.


John

[LordoftheRings]

With your ONKYO TX-NR906 A/V Receiver, you get top preamplification and top audio/video processing, plus top amplification also. It's a top-notch receiver.

If you truly want to upgrade, you would go with the Onkyo Pro PR-SC5508P pre/pro, and with an Emotiva XPA-2 (or two UPA-1s) and a UPA-7.

[bobbydrugar]

first off thanks for the good feedback. second to answer i do have at least 15 amp circuits but they are shared with 2 other rooms it is a hotel converted into apartments viva san francisco. so i need to be really careful with my power consumption. lastly want to clarify two points 1 i love my onkyo but it seems like seperates is the way to go and i would likely be looking at an onkyo or integra solution for processing and an emotiva solution for amp down the road. 2 This is a stepping stone. if i bought an amp first it would sit on a shelf unused because i cant use it with the onkyo as that would draw too much amperage with two units having heavy amp sections so with the processor i could at least move that work away from the amp circuits hense my thought it might provide a little (albeit marginal) improvement while i save up for the dedicated amp section.

Thanks
T