Powering up AVR and Amp

rengnath

Hey everyone,

I just got my B&K ST2140 and I'm going to be setting it up tonight. I see it has the low voltage I/O control input, and my AVR has an output. Is this a good way to power up and off the amp every time? I've read the proper way to turn on an amp is to power it on after your preamp, and power it down before you turn off your preamp. Obviously using this method, the AVR would be turning off before the amp. Is this ok? I don't mind turning them each on and off separately, but if I can add the convenience, why not?

If it is ok, do I just use a 1/8" mono jack? Or can I use a stereo 1/8" jack? I have the stereo, but I can stop at radio shack and pick up a mono if I have to.

Please pardon the newb questions, as this is my first time ever dealing with an amp. :cheesygrin:

mdaudioguy

AKA, a 12V trigger. I've used a stereo cable and it worked fine. Don't know if other amp/AVR combos are more particular, but if the electrical signal can make it from one unit to the other, you'll be fine.

rengnath

Alright, I picked up a mono 1/8 to 1/8 and that works for the 12V trigger. Is it ok that I here a little pop as the amp powers down every time I turn the system off? It's just very faint, but I don't want to damage my speakers.

mdaudioguy

Since you described it as "very faint," I'd say it's probably nothing to worry about. First impressions with the amp?

rengnath

Yes, very faint. It does it even if I power the amp off first. Just a quick "ziiippp" and not even a real pop.

And wowww! Ive been missing out. I couldn't be happier. 280 watts RMS drives the pair RT1000is effortlessly, and the clarity is just amazing. Its not that I can drive them louder now, but I can hear everything. Between snares, chords, and background voices, it feels like Im almost listening to every song for the first time now. I'm trying to get my hands on a good mono amp for my center, although the RX-A800 does drive it pretty nice since its the only speaker being driven off the AVR. The B&K and Yamaha is a good combo.

mdaudioguy

Congrats! Pretty much my experience when I first amped up. Now, sit back and enjoy!

cfrizz

Welcome to the world of separate amplification, you will never be able to go back just a receiver!

tonyb

rengnath wrote: »

Yes, very faint. It does it even if I power the amp off first. Just a quick "ziiippp" and not even a real pop.

And wowww! Ive been missing out. I couldn't be happier. 280 watts RMS drives the pair RT1000is effortlessly, and the clarity is just amazing. Its not that I can drive them louder now, but I can hear everything. Between snares, chords, and background voices, it feels like Im almost listening to every song for the first time now. I'm trying to get my hands on a good mono amp for my center, although the RX-A800 does drive it pretty nice since its the only speaker being driven off the AVR. The B&K and Yamaha is a good combo.

Congrats, it's addicting isn't it ?

Your experience brings up a good point. Before your ready to kick your current speakers down the road, or before you complain about them not sounding good, feed them properly to get a better idea of what they are capable of. Enjoy.

dudeinaroom

He he he...now go get a preamp instead of the AVR and you'll hear a little more. I remember my first exp. going to a dedicated amp and it was worth it. Then the pre was another step up. Now on amp #2 and digging it even more than the first. With that B&K you should be happy for a while. I'm thinking my next amp will be a B&K.

rengnath

I think Ill do a nice preamp and amp setup for some Monitor 7cs I have. They would be nice in a small 2 channel system with some clean power behind them