Amp's and preAmp's?

[xtreme02gt]

Originally Posted by Oddiophile

A receiver is a one box solution that has the processing and amplification in one chassis. A con of this approach is the ten pounds of sh*t in a five pound bag theory. You only have so much space to work with so by design engineers are limited to how complicated they can make them and how much stuff they can pack into them. Typically receiver only average half there rated power, so if you have a 100 watt X 7 receiver your only sending around 50 watts of power to your speakers.

Separates are a two chassis solution. The Preamp does all the processing and video switching, the amp is just that a separate amp. Being a two box solution designers can get more creative in what they can do, like bigger transformers, more complicated circuit boards, etc.

Separates are more expensive then receivers but IMO are superior in sound. A lot of people judge a receiver or amp by it's watts but its the current output that really drives your speakers. More current more thump, it's like in cars, Torque gets you going, horsepower keeps you going. Receivers do not putout a lot of current. If you want to take your system to the next level, look to separates for Superior processing and amplification.

I made the switch to separates about 6 years ago and don't plan on going back to a receiver.

Very Nice! Thank you.

So the pre-amp has the HDMI slots? So you would plug all your stuff into the pre-amp first, and then from the pre-amp to the amp, and the then from the amp to your TV? Right?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by xtreme02gt

Very Nice! Thank you.

So the pre-amp has the HDMI slots? So you would plug all your stuff into the pre-amp first, and then from the pre-amp to the amp, and the then from the amp to your TV? Right?

No - speakers to amp, amp to pre-amp, sources to preamp, preamp to TV.

[xtreme02gt]

So can I hook up a AMP to my receiver? That way I can just up the power of my receiver. If so, what is good amp? I don't need a $4,000 amp! But something good

[Beta Man]

I believe the 606 has "outs" on it.... someone may know for sure...

Many people here swear by Emotiva.... I'm looking into them myself, as they're an extremely affordable way to break into separates...... I do, however, have a yearning desire for warm tubes........

[xtreme02gt]

I am using the Sony STR-DG720 7.1


I would like to get the sub more power!

[crazyBLUE]

The 606 does not have PRE-OUTS !!!!!!!! That is wy I have A 663 at this time

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by xtreme02gt

I am using the Sony STR-DG720 7.1


I would like to get the sub more power!

If you want to give the sub more power, you will have to remove the attached amplifier and replace it with a more powerful one. You may have to adjust the opening to fit a bigger amp. I would suggest that you also replace the driver with a better driver.

You may be able to leave the current amplifier in there and simply disconnect it from the loop and use an external amplifier. You need to open up the subwoofer and connect two wires to the driver and bypass the existing amplifier.

Amplifiers for Powered Subwoofers:
http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...ctGroup_ID=505
http://www.madisound.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=360

External Amplifiers for Passive Subwoofers:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-812
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/psho...TOKEN=50414889
http://www.amazon.com/Audiosource-AM...8465481&sr=8-5
http://www.amazon.com/Boston-Acousti...8465645&sr=8-4
http://www.amazon.com/TBI-200-su-Sub...8465645&sr=8-5
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...ifiers/swa500/

[JJ]

Jeez, did you just complicate his life - Pops, do you really expect him to go through all that hassle (for him, anyway)?

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by xtreme02gt

So can I hook up a AMP to my receiver? That way I can just up the power of my receiver. If so, what is good amp? I don't need a $4,000 amp! But something good

If your receiver has pre-outs, you can connect separate amps to it with the receiver acting as a pre-amp. This is a good short-term solution to people who want to upgrade one piece at a time.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by xtreme02gt

So can I hook up a AMP to my receiver? That way I can just up the power of my receiver. If so, what is good amp? I don't need a $4,000 amp! But something good

Nope, the Onkyo 606 has no preouts

[Opips2]

Harman Kardon AVR-254 and 354 has preout.
that's High Definition the receiver has HD audio 7.1 channel. blah blah...

[xtreme02gt]

So how do I know if my Sony STR-DG720 can be used as a pre-amp?

[Oddiophile]

Originally Posted by xtreme02gt

So how do I know if my Sony STR-DG720 can be used as a pre-amp?

If you see this on the back of your receiver, your good to go.

[Oddiophile]

Originally Posted by xtreme02gt

So can I hook up a AMP to my receiver? That way I can just up the power of my receiver. If so, what is good amp? I don't need a $4,000 amp! But something good

As others have said, Yes. You can use a receiver as a preamp if your receiver has preamp outs on the back. Using a receiver as a preamp is a great way to get into spreates and will give you a taste of what separates can do over a receiver. But a good preamp will still give you better performance then a receiver. One reason for this is the large transformers used in amps can putout a lot of noise that can raise your noise floor. Removing the amp from the processing and having a dedicated transformer just for the processing in the preamp can give your audio a dramatic improvement. Larger sound stage, blacker background, crisper highs, etc.

Some manufacturers even have dual transformers in there preamps, one dedicated to the digital circuits and the other dedicated to the analog circuits. Receivers are more of a one size fits all option where separates is a mix and match what works best for your setup. With separate amps you have lots of different classes of amps to choose from. Class A, B, A/B, C, D, E, etc.

You can read up more on each class here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro...lifier_classes

Anthem makes an awesome amp (P5), each channel is it's own independent card that drops into the chassis. Each card has it's own transformer for each channel. 5 channels, 5 cards, 5 transformers, basically its a mono block amp for each channel in one chassis. Only negative to this amp is it draws more power then a house circuit can deliver so it has two power cords and requires one dedicated circuit for each power cord.