Connecting to an external amp via AVR pre-outs - HELP PLEASE

[Adam Kelly]

I own a Denon 5308 that offers bi-amping either through pre-established assignments or through Free Amp Assign. I can select internal amps assignments in the OSD like I'm sure many other receivers provide. Basically, for the assignment I have been using - the Front L/R channel signals are output at both the Front L/R & Surround Back L/R speaker terminals.

My question is... do the settings I select in the amp section for the internal amps also apply to the pre-amp outputs? I would like to get an external amp and would like to bi-amp the FR, FL, and Center Channel speakers and would prefer NOT using splitters. OR do the bi-amplification settings chosen in the receiver only apply to its own internal amplifiers.

 

[crossedover]

I own a Denon 5308 that offers bi-amping either through pre-established assignments or through Free Amp Assign. I can select internal amps assignments in the OSD like I'm sure many other receivers provide. Basically, for the assignment I have been using - the Front L/R channel signals are output at both the Front L/R & Surround Back L/R speaker terminals.

My question is... do the settings I select in the amp section for the internal amps also apply to the pre-amp outputs? I would like to get an external amp and would like to bi-amp the FR, FL, and Center Channel speakers and would prefer NOT using splitters. OR do the bi-amplification settings chosen in the receiver only apply to its own internal amplifiers.

What type of speakers do you have? The 5308 has good amp section already. The preouts should be hot regardless to the internal amp settings. AH measured the 5308 here is a snap shot

Denon AVR-5308CI Power output: < 0.1% THD + N

• 1CH, 8 ohms: 160watts
• 2CH, 8 ohm, 150wpc
• 1CH, 4 ohms: 240wpc
• 2CH, 4 ohm 220wpc

http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/denon-avr-5308ci

 

[Seth=L]

My question is... do the settings I select in the amp section for the internal amps also apply to the pre-amp outputs? I would like to get an external amp and would like to bi-amp the FR, FL, and Center Channel speakers and would prefer NOT using splitters. OR do the bi-amplification settings chosen in the receiver only apply to its own internal amplifiers.

I'm not sure, easy enough to test assuming the equipment has easy access. Configure the receiver to output front left and right from say your surround channels then connect a 2 channel amplifier to the surround preouts and see if you get full 2 channel sound when the receiver is in stereo. If you do, then you have your answer.

Otherwise, refer to the owner's manual.

There's not a direct page to view so you'll have to scroll down to the AVR-5308CI/A and then click arrow tab, then click "AVP-A1HDCI AVR-5308CI Owners Manual -English"

 

[fmw]

I own a Denon 5308 that offers bi-amping either through pre-established assignments or through Free Amp Assign. I can select internal amps assignments in the OSD like I'm sure many other receivers provide. Basically, for the assignment I have been using - the Front L/R channel signals are output at both the Front L/R & Surround Back L/R speaker terminals.

My question is... do the settings I select in the amp section for the internal amps also apply to the pre-amp outputs? I would like to get an external amp and would like to bi-amp the FR, FL, and Center Channel speakers and would prefer NOT using splitters. OR do the bi-amplification settings chosen in the receiver only apply to its own internal amplifiers.

Is there something wrong with the amplifiers in the receiver? What problem are you having?

 

[PENG]

My question is... do the settings I select in the amp section for the internal amps also apply to the pre-amp outputs?

When you say "amp section", I assume you meant "pre-pro section" because there is nothing to set on the power amp side. If that's what you are asking, the answerer is yes.

 

[Seth=L]

Is there something wrong with the amplifiers in the receiver? What problem are you having?

He's got an itch.

 

[fmw]

That is usually the case. Outboard amplifiers for AV receivers are normally purchased because they are wanted, not because they are needed. If it is an itch then fine. However, I would suggest removing the term biamplification from his vocabulary. No good will come of that.

 

[Adam Kelly]

Yeah, I basically have an itch. My speakers are B&W 683 S2 for fronts, B&W HTM 61 S2 for center, B&W DS3 for surrounds and a B&W ASW 1000 as my sub.

What I'm basically asking is if I set the 5308 to bi-amp the fronts using the surround back channels - then will the analog pre-amp outputs for the surround back channels send the front right and front left signals much the receiver does for its internal amp configuration.

 

[crossedover]

Yeah, I basically have an itch. My speakers are B&W 683 S2 for fronts, B&W HTM 61 S2 for center, B&W DS3 for surrounds and a B&W ASW 1000 as my sub.

What I'm basically asking is if I set the 5308 to bi-amp the fronts using the surround back channels - then will the analog pre-amp outputs for the surround back channels send the front right and front left signals much the receiver does for its internal amp configuration.

Id really not bother with bi amping, you will gain nothing with this setup. Your amp section in the avr is more than sufficient. Passive BiAmping in 99% of most speakers is useless

http://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/the-difference-between-biamping-vs-biwiring

 

[Adam Kelly]

Also...I have an empty shelf in my home theater center due to some reshuffling and need to fill it with something. Therefore I was thinking the XPA 7 (because of it's massive 2 channel capability + will take the load off of my receiver + it will give me a little more punch in multi-channel with spare headroom even if it isn't night and day + I will eventually pair it with a separate processer somewhere down the road)

2) I am also contemplating an HTPC to store all of my movies, etc... and would use Kodi as the interface.

So What would you do? It's one or the other for the foreseeable future due to space limitations and money considerations. If not one of these, what would you fill that space with?

My System:

Denon 5308 Receiver
Denon 720 DNP AE Network Player
Denon 5910ci Universal DVD Player (I use primarily as cd player)
Oppo 103 Blu Ray Player
Panamax Power Conditioner

B&W 683 S2 Front Speakers
B&W HTM 61 S2 Center Channel
B&W DS3 Surround Speakers
B&W ASW 1000 Subwoofer

 

[Adam]

As someone who purchased amps based on an itch (and they were from Emotiva...and I will never buy from them again), my recommendation is to go with the HTPC unless you are noticing some audio issues at your listening levels. When I bought my amps, my mid-level Pioneer actually did have problems playing dynamics at higher volumes, but my newer and higher-powered receivers have no issues. That, and my original Pioneer sounded just great at my normal listening levels. Like I said, I also had the itch. That 5308 has a good bit of power, and the E400 and S900 models that I own that have less power can drive my speakers to reference levels with eye-watering dynamics. I honestly doubt that you'll hear any difference at all if you add an amp. Having all of your movies readily available, though...now, that's handy.

On a related note, I use an older Mac Mini as a HTPC with Kodi and it works fantastically well. Incredibly small and essentially silent.

 

[PENG]

What I'm basically asking is if I set the 5308 to bi-amp the fronts using the surround back channels - then will the analog pre-amp outputs for the surround back channels send the front right and front left signals much the receiver does for its internal amp configuration.

The answer is yes, if you assigned them properly. As to whether biamp will help improve sound quality, most people around here think not, but if you have the extra wires and time there is no harm trying.