assignable channels

brody05

Can anyone recommend an amp that has complete control over assigning/configuring the amp channels.

I have a Verastarr that runs my front channels and subs and want to bi amp the center, sides and rears with an amp that has the ability to send fronts via pre outs and use the amps channels that would usually be used to power the fronts to be assigned to the remaining system.

I guess a way is ext in but I really just want an amp that will do it all and do it well.

Currently using a Denon AVC A1se and loved it for many years but figure it may be time to upgrade. The Denon has only ever powered sides, centers and rears and with subs in the rear the load hasnt been much.

Thanks

Brody

tonyb

Not sure what you want to do here Brody. You want an amp or a receiver ? Bi-amping with a receiver is going to be a waste of time, cables, and money.....especially for surround speakers. Also, using the speaker level outputs and the pre outs to the same channel is usually a no-no.

BTW...that Verastarr amp is a keeper. Which model ya have there ?

brody05

Hi Tony, I am looking at replacing the AVR I have and keeping the Verastarr (never sell that ) which will run the fronts and front 2 subs.

The AVR runs two centers on one output, runs the sides and the rears. I was hoping there is an AVR out there that I can assing each amplification channel to a particular output, depending on how many channels it has ie 9 or 7 I am wanting to assign 2 or 4 channels for the centers, 2 for the sides and 2 for the rears so essentially making use of all the channels it would have while running the front left and right signals as pre outs.

The option is a pre amp and buy another Verastarr but the mrs wouldnt be happy with that due to the cost and the lack of space to put it all in the cabinet.

I think the Denon HD model has assignable channels but not sure to what degree so had hoped someone familiar with it would know.

Never tried using the channels and preouts at the same time and wouldnt do it unless the amp allowed it by being able to reassign the channels being powered.

Hope that makes sense and thanks for the help.

I had the 6.4 but sent it back and had the internals upgraded so basically have the SSA 64, certainly noticed the upgrade but I liked the look of the 6.4 more than the face plate/glass on the SSA 64

My cousin has 2 Verastarr's and may be selling one of them so I can start begging the mrs now and see how it pans out, she has been more than accomodating in the past but its been a while since I spent any money on it.....

tonyb

Some receivers do have assignable channels, but I don't see what the gain will be. Might be better off just getting a 5 channel amp. Surround duty doesn't require the same amp quality as the front 3 speakers, mainly because it's all mostly ambient sounds. Another Verastarr would be a waste on those surrounds. You can easily pick up an Emo for cheap to cover them or a used B&k/Parasound amp.

On another note, when using the AVR, using all the channels available reduces the amount of power all receive. A receiver has it's limits, the more channels used, the less power each gets. Using the pre-outs and the speaker level outputs on one channel may work, mostly not, but isn't a good idea. A separate amp is your best bet.

brody05

Yeah I have had parasound HCA before and rated it, just didnt want the extra cables as its a bit of a birds nest already (despite best efforts to keep tidy - the sheer number of cables is the issue) and I dont have the space for another amp. With 2 centers each side of the cabinet the TV sits on and houses it all. I cant go up or sideways without pushing things to positions they wont be good in. Limited space for stereo gear......1st world problems ey

tonyb

I hear ya man, we all have our limitations somehow. Is there something about the sound you don't like now ? Something lacking in the movie watching that says the surrounds aren't up to snuff ?

brody05

sorry, meant to say SSA644 for the verastarr upgrade (not that it matters much).

ahh, good question..... Not really to be honest. more the 4k aspect so a video thing than anything. I love the denon I have and the job it does but its getting on in years and would like to be able to have something run HDMI with 4k pass through.

what are your thoughts on the lower end Denons such as the X1000 if it was used mostly as a preamp? If I got say a parasound to run the centers, rears and sides and used a more economical AVR to just do the processing - would it rate as compared to the older A1se (amplification aside)? I use the pure direct mode for music as I have a preference for 2 channel audio but lately find myself using apple tv to run the iphone with music as a source rather than the old CD player which hasnt been turned on in quite some time (could make some space in the cabinet haha)

its been a while since I had a play with the set up so not really up to date on recent changes and the 'freak' models which as we know some are just punching well above their weight.

Thanks for the help

tonyb

Ok, gotcha. 4K really has nothing to do with stereo per say, more so with video. Any receiver 4k ready or blu-ray player that's 4k ready like the OPPO's is what you'll want to shoot for. Pioneer SC models hold their power better than most when using all the amp channels so that makes them a good choice to power the rest of your surround system while the Verastarr keeps the head of the table. Certainly not the only choice though.

I'd also recommend you read up in our digital section. Running the Iphone or apple stuff into the receiver is probably not the most optimal way for sound quality. Not that you can't, just that there's better options if you want to use digital files/streaming. A good outboard dac being one of them.

Many avenues to explore, but if your going to buy a 4k set, first make sure it has the most recent compatibilities. Some of the 2014 sets don't, and some are pretty ticked off about it too. After that, it's a 4k compatible receiver and blu-ray player and your good to go. Read all the manuals too, todays receivers are not plug and play like those of old, you have to set up each input and adjust things. Same with a 4k tv, not a simple plug and play device.

brody05

Good tips, will read up on the digital thing, its never been as good but its handy so comes out more than not, demo's still done with the Denon 2900 and a CD

Got a samsung 4k TV which is brilliant and upscales well, they pretty common place now but still using blu ray predominantly as source for movies.

I feel old lately, everything I got is old school 'vintage' but it still sounds great, its more the video side that has moved on and the digital age is calling out for me to catch up haha

tonyb

Doesn't matter bro, we all like what we like, vintage or not. The Sammy 4k will upscale all your 1080p movies too which is the main reason to even get a 4k tv as 4k material isn't all too available right now. Does your receiver decode all the newer surround formats like DTS HD Master audio ? If not, that alone is worth the price of admission.

brody05

yep, not much in the way of 4k other than the odd demo download but it does do well with a 1080 or even 720p that we get in NZ with sat tv.

No it doesnt do that and one of the reasons maybe a more economical AVR is worth considering but not sure - the whole weakest link thing comes into it and the Verastarr is amazing but loves a good signal to really stretch its legs and puff out its chest....

Some would say the newer cheaper end is better than the older expensive gear when it comes to the AVR decoding/processing side of things, amplification will always come down to quality but as for the rest if its not used as an amp as such I wonder if it is worth looking at?

What do you think, is the DSP's in the newer cheaper AVR's worth a look if its not being asked to do anything more than a preamp? I like the idea of a preamp but the good ones are very expensive here in nz and limited options

tonyb

I would say yes, the newer processing is worth it. Plus the newer codecs are great for music too. Blu-ray is a great medium for music and the sound is exceptional.

brody05

thanks Tony