Can an AVR be used as amp only?

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pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,384
edited July 2008 in Electronics
I've been looking at a few pre/processors lately & I'm curious if my NAD T773 can still be put to good use. I currently have an external two channel amp for my front mains & a monoblock for my center. I only need power for the surrounds.

I would think that the T773 can be run that way but I need to know for sure. Has anyone here ever done this? Hopefully it can.
Post edited by pearsall001 on
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,077
    edited July 2008
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    I would imagine it could,but why have a nice piece running surround only? Why not sell it,grab some mono's from outlaw and call it a day?
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  • polktiger
    polktiger Posts: 556
    edited July 2008
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    Does the T773 have a "direct mode?" If so, you might have to trick it, connect the surround cables to your main L/R in on the NAD, and tell the NAD to run in "direct mode" to bypass any processing. I would think that you would still have to control the volume on the surrounds using the NAD, which could be a real pain if you like to adjust the volume much.

    I have an NAD 2200PE sitting around not being used; what you need to do is trade the T773 for my 2200PE;)
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited July 2008
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    sounds like it can be done.. it would just be a big PITA though to me.

    sell it.. get yerself a two channel amp.. even a small one would be better.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited July 2008
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    It would work using any of the inputs. Your volume would be used as a level control, and your pre would still operate the volume of all amps.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,384
    edited July 2008
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    I was getting so many different responses on the question (even on other forums) that I figured a call to NAD was in order. The T773 can simply be used as an external power amp by using the main in's, (instead of it's preout's like I'm using for my Krell & Outlaw) hook up the speakers & I'm ready to go. That's it plain & simple. Nothing else to hook up or adjust. This completly separates the amp section from the pre section, no volumn control, no processing, nadda thing except a pure amp.

    In fact if I wanted to I could run it as an external 7 channel amp. I'm glad I found this out because if I decide to go the pre/processor route I've got plenty of amps for all my needs. No need to sell this brute just yet.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,637
    edited July 2008
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    It's cool and all that you figured out a way to get your goal accomplished but I don't agree with it. Why not just sell it and go separates?
    Dan
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,384
    edited July 2008
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    mantis wrote: »
    It's cool and all that you figured out a way to get your goal accomplished but I don't agree with it. Why not just sell it and go separates?

    By using it's main in's it's now a separate power amp. The prepro in the T773 is now completely out of the picture. I can use anywhere from one to seven channels to suit my needs. I only need to power my surrounds & down the road a pair of back surrounds. Now I've got plenty of amps to do that. It would be a moot point point to sell it & buy a two channel amp for my surrounds when I have a 7 channel amp sitting there.

    By using the main in's it's as if you just cut out the prepro & are only left with a nice 7 channel amp. Plus it looks real purdy in my rack.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,637
    edited July 2008
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    pearsall001 wrote: »
    By using it's main in's it's now a separate power amp. The prepro in the T773 is now completely out of the picture. I can use anywhere from one to seven channels to suit my needs. I only need to power my surrounds & down the road a pair of back surrounds. Now I've got plenty of amps to do that. It would be a moot point point to sell it & buy a two channel amp for my surrounds when I have a 7 channel amp sitting there.

    By using the main in's it's as if you just cut out the prepro & are only left with a nice 7 channel amp. Plus it looks real purdy in my rack.

    Cool man, it sounds like it's built like B&K. B&K actually has a seperate amp in the receiver. The preamp is the actual one right out of there seperates.

    Crafty man Crafty...
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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