Preamp out

cokewithvanilla

I have never used preamp outs on a receiver, and I had a few questions. I am deciding if I should buy a 7 channel, 5 channel, or 2 channel amp.

I would buy a 2 channel if I need something cheap, quick.

I would buy a 5 channel if I knew I could also plug in a two channel to make it a 7 channel amp. Can a receiver handle two amps? Does each channel have a pre out?

I would buy a 7 channel amp if I could find a 200-250 watt for under $1000.

If you can use multiple amps on a receiver, which ones can do this?

opus

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

I would buy a 5 channel if I knew I could also plug in a two channel to make it a 7 channel amp. Can a receiver handle two amps? Does each channel have a pre out?

yes and yes

ben62670

opus wrote: »

yes and yes

What he said.

Dennis Gardner

Preamp outs are simply low voltage outputs that can be run into any amp.

Your need for amps depends on the receiver you end up purchasing. If you go with the lowest level of receiver offering preamp outs, you will need 5-7 channel of external amp power. If you go with a receiver with a higher quality power supply/amp section, you may only need 2 channels for your big mains.

Here is a nice 5 channel that fits your budget, 7 channel/200W for under $1000 are pretty rare...........http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1183177495

reeltrouble1

I might add that having a 2 and 5 will give you a bit of flexability, not a bad thing, of course it does take up more rack space, which can be a premium.

Have fun.

RT1

Refefer

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

I have never used preamp outs on a receiver, and I had a few questions. I am deciding if I should buy a 7 channel, 5 channel, or 2 channel amp.

I would buy a 2 channel if I need something cheap, quick.

I would buy a 5 channel if I knew I could also plug in a two channel to make it a 7 channel amp. Can a receiver handle two amps? Does each channel have a pre out?

I would buy a 7 channel amp if I could find a 200-250 watt for under $1000.

If you can use multiple amps on a receiver, which ones can do this?

The way preouts work on a receiver is like this:

1. Your DVD/CD/HD-DVD/BluRay player sends a signal from the player to your receiver.

2. The Receiver gets the signal and performs processing on it, such as separating out the audio into discrete channels.

3. It then sends these signals out via the pre-outs, usually one RCA or XLR per channel and an LFE channel for a sub woofer.

4. You hook the preouts to an amp(s). You could have as many amps as you want sharing these preouts. In fact, it's not uncommon to have different monoblocks (Read: A single channel amplifier) for each channel.

Another common solution is to get a 5-channel amp and a 2-channel amp, with the 2-channel amp driving the usually more power hungry front left and right channels, with the 5-channel controlling center and surrounds.

Whichever you decide to do, It will be a *huge* upgrade over the Sony you're currently using.

cokewithvanilla

I am thinking of getting an Adcom GFA-555 to ppower the mains and a parasound HCA-2205A to power the rest. What do you think? and do LSi rears and centers require this much power? what is taking up the power in my mains... the Lsi 9 part of the tower, or the Sub? I would assume the 9's because the sub is powered.

If this is the case, LSiFX's are pretty much the same as 9's, and would require similar power than... correct?

In any case... I want to have seven channels powered at a minimum of 200 watts a channel, for a total of less than $1000. I then will also need a receiver capable of all the cool things these days... for VERY cheap.

I know I am sounding like a poor man here, but I had never budgeted amps into my setup... so I don't want to spend too much.

Any ideas?

Dennis Gardner

It is the 4 ohm load of any LSi speaker that is draining your receiver power. The 25s are a little easier than the unpowered 15s, but the old Yamaha receiver that you are using would have a hard time with 7 channels of LSi7s due to the load they present. Once you have the power needed, any $300 receiver will do the job you are asking.

MSALLA

You will have a very hard time finding a 7-channel 200wpc amp for $1000.00
I doubt you will get a 5 channel for that. Start with a good 2-channel amp or save some more money. I have to upgrade in stages because this hobby is expensive.

engtaz

But 7.1 ch with 90 to 100 watts a channel and a 3 channel amp or 3 mono amps @ 200 watts to cover front and center speakers. Make sure the AVR has all the audio and video inputs you will need.

Willow

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

I might add that having a 2 and 5 will give you a bit of flexability, not a bad thing, of course it does take up more rack space, which can be a premium.

Have fun.

RT1

or even worse like I'm doing running monos for all channels (well my front 3 for now)