How do you switch a AV receiver to "pre-outs"

nightrider1470

nightrider1470

nightrider1470

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I have a power amp on the way. Marantz MM7025, to hook up to the RC front LR pre-outs to drive my Focal 816v

I am just wondering, once it's all connected! How do I switch my Yamaha 1030 into pre-outs mode to send signal to my power amp?
 
You don't, that I am aware of. As I understand it, the sound will instantly be sent to any amplifier connected to the pre outs. Very likely you'll get sound from both sets of fronts though, those connected to the power amp and the receiver. This is possibly why it states in the manual, use speakers connected to the receiver or a power amp.
 
OK thanks... Is there no way to just have music coming out of the pre outs to my 816v speakers only?........I have a ,7.1 kitchen speaker setup connected to the same AV receiver and don't want every single speaker on!! Or will rock the house!!!...... Hope there is away round this????

Thanks
 
Using the front pre out will give you sound from all speakers. The Zone 2 output would be what you'd need to use to avoid both sets of front speakers running together. The only thing I'm not sure about is whether the zone 2 output is a line out which isn't affected by the volume control or if it is a pre amp output too.
 
nightrider1470 said:
...I have a ,7.1 kitchen speaker setup connected to the same AV receiver and don't want every single speaker on!!...
Click to expand...

When selecting stereo on the receiver, only the front speakers will be in use, so getting sound from all speakers won't happen. That will only happen if you're still using 5.1/7.1.



I am thinking that the zone 2 RCA is line out, because in the manual it says of zone 2, for connecting external amplifier. If it were pre amplified, it would surely mention about connecting a power amp, as it does in the description of the pre out section. Likely it's for connecting an integrated amp.

OP could return the power amp and get an integrated one.
 
OK, so from reading the above post, when I select 2 channel stereo in the DSP setting I will only get audio from my 2 front speakers in my 7.1 setup and my 816v speakers..... I can live with that..... Would be ideal if my 816v where the only one playing, but can live with fronts being on in the kitchen as well...

I could use zone 2, maybe.... I also own a creative soundblaster x7.

Here is the back ports of my gear.. Maybe you can work out the best chain setup.

Marantz MM7025


X7


Yamaha 1030
 
Best off trying the zone 2 directly to the power amp and testing just how loud it actually is. (careful doing so though as it might well be very loud) If it's more than loud enough, you could use an in-line attenuator between the yamaha and the marantz. These tend to get referred to as a "passive preamp". They don't tend to be remote controllable though, primarily as they are passive requiring no power. Schiit make one that is nice and cheap.
 
If you want to use a separate amplifier and speakers but still use the AV unit as the source, I can't see any way around it. If you powered the speakers via the zone 2 amplified output rather than a separate power amp it would make life simpler but you obviously sacrifice quality going that route. What you are attempting is usually only reserved for the very high end AV amps or Processors. This is why I use an AV preamp/processor and 3 separate power amplifiers which i can turn on/off independently. Far as I can tell, the zone outs on my marantz AV7701 are or can be pre amplified.
 
nightrider1470 said:
Is using a power amp from from Zone 2 Common?
Click to expand...

I think it depends whether the zone 2 output is line level or pre out. If zone 2 is line level, then using a power amp is going to be much less common. Using an integrated amp will be much more common as this will allow volume control.

Line level is a fixed volume, so no control of the volume output. Power amps have no volume control either, so something would have to be introduced in between to allow volume control. Ideally, power amps need to be connected to a pre output.

An integrated amp on the other hand is made of a pre and power amp sections, so has volume control.

No way of knowing for sure if the zone 2 on your receiver is line out or pre out, without connecting the power amp to it and trying it. The manual doesn't state this, but I suspect it is line out, because it only mentions about connecting an amplifier. If it were pre out, I would imagine Yamaha would have specified a power amp to be connected to the zone 2.
 
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nightrider1470 said:
What about using the creative x7 (above) and connect it to my power amp >>>>>>>>>>> speakers
Click to expand...

X7 has line in and out, so you could connect to the zone 2, then the Marantz to the line out on the X7. That won't act as a volume control though, because it's line level. The volume is fixed, so it acts as a pass through for connecting powered speakers or an external amp that has volume control; whether it be a pre amp or integrated amp.

The volume control on the X7 will only affect the internal amplifier.
 
Could someone list the order of connecting everything up please? So I can get my head round the chain

I can buy this if needed, (linked above) but not sure where it would go in the chain

:)!!!!
 
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Zone 2 output goes to input 1 on the schiit then the output goes straight into the marantz. Input 2 is essentially spare should you find another device you'd like to run into the marantz that isn't on the yamaha.

So.... Yamaha > Schiit > Marantz

Personally, I'd prefer one of these over the schiit but that's me. TBH though they all cost a lot of money for what is essentially a basic device that would cost very little to make yourself.
 
Thanks.... Am guessing I can only control the volume via the dials???...... Would like to be able to control volume via Yamaha app or at least a remote

Am I right in thinking if I go this root it will allow me to control volume via the Yamaha app... Receiver/Zone2>>>>>> power amp>>>>>>>>> speakers

I wish I thought this out better!! I paid £600 for that power amp and seem to be in a bit of a pickle!
 
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If the yamaha receiver could pre amp the zone output like most other high end receivers/processors, you'd have no problem. Page 81 of the manual states the amp needs to have it's own preamp. You can use the volume control on the yamaha and have both sets of front speakers working together or use the zone out and a separate volume control so you only have one set of speakers playing. Only other option is bin the power amp if you can send it back and get an integrated instead, but even that means you still control the volume on the other amp.
 
You can't control the volume with the receiver because zone 2, if that is indeed 'line out level', the volume is fixed. You'd need to connect the power amp to a 'pre out' for volume control from the receiver.

For remote volume control, you can either connect the power amp to the 'pre out' and find some way of disabling the front speakers connected to the receiver. Maybe a speaker switch; or you could return the power amp under the DSR and get an integrated amp instead. Then connect that to the zone 2 output.
 
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OK, just to update. I have installed the power amp from Zone 2 RCA ports on my receiver..... Sounds amazing! And I can control the volume from spotify and full control via the Yamaha app = :)

I have to obviously switch to zone2 on the receiver. Notice that sound is still coming from my front speakers that are connected to the receiver terminals that are powering my 7.0 setup...is this to be expected?,......

I notice a settings called party mode, is this something to fix things maybe?

Thanks for all your help everyone :)!!!!!
 
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