Need help / advice re: signal from AV receiver to integrated amp.

[Rhinomyte76]

Thank you in advance for checking out my question.

I am looking to do the following with an AV home theater setup:
Use a traditional AV receiver, and send all AV HDMI inputs to it (blu ray, cable, PC, smart tv, etc)
Use video output through the AV receiver to the TV, as one normally would.
BUT FOR AUDIO OUTPUT
Send it from the AV receiver to my Arcam FMJ integrated amp, which is then connected to 2 KEF LS50 speakers. (2.0, I know, I'm lame)

AV receivers with a full pre-amp out section seem to be rare these days unless I want to pay a ton or buy separates, but a number have zone 2 out that look like they may work as a pre out for 2.0.

I also think I might get a benefit from a receiver that does "direct" or "pure direct" as a sound setting so I let the Arcam color the sound to what I have liked traditionally, but I have no idea whether that would even have a bearing in my case given that I am ideally using the AV receiver as a pre-amp pass-through for the audio signal anyway.

I was looking at the Marantz 1609 as an option, but it has a "pre out zone 2" and a "pre out front" which is confusing. Manual can be found easily online, but I can't post a link. Discussion of pre-out on page 139 of the english manual.

Would either of these outputs suit my purpose?
Is there a better AV receiver for my needs which is cheaper or similarly priced that I should consider?

Any thoughts, advice, suggestions, or alternatives are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Not sure how you would connect if the AV doesn't have a pre out, if it does, you need to use an RCA tipped cable but into that integrated to it amp section only.
Don't think you'd want two pre amps before the amp section.
Also, why use that integrated in the first place?

 

[Verdinut]

Thank you in advance for checking out my question.

AV receivers with a full pre-amp out section seem to be rare these days unless I want to pay a ton or buy separates, but a number have zone 2 out that look like they may work as a pre out for 2.0.

Is there a better AV receiver for my needs which is cheaper or similarly priced that I should consider?

The Marantz SR5011 or the SR5012 would be about the most affordable AVRs with 7.1 channel pre-outs which would provide some future proof possibilities should you decide later on to go to a 5.1 or a 7.1 surround system.

The SR5011 is discontinued but Accessories4less are selling it for $500 but are out of stock at present. If you ask them to notify you when they receive it, they will do it:

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr5011/marantz-sr5011-7.2-ch-x-100-watts-a/v-receiver/1.html

Also, since this SR5011 is discontinued, it's possible that this model will only be available as factory refurbished with a 1 year manufacturer's warranty. AC4L is a reliable online store which is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, so you me depend on them.

I've been using the SR5010 which is Marantz' previous year's model and it performs well. Those AVRs have very good specs and have a power rating of 100 watts/channel.

From the same holding company, the Denon brand of AVRs are often available at big discounts. You have to make sure that the unit you buy has the full array of pre-outs such as on the Marantz.

 

[Verdinut]

Amazon still have the SR5011 for $500.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I’ll answer the zone 2 preout question. Basically you can run two separate zones at the Same time with different inputs for each. “Pre out zone 2”, The wife can listen to something in one room, and with “pre out Main” youcan listen to something else in the main zone, both with separate volume too! The “main” zone is exactly that, and zone two is for a remote, or second location.

 

[PENG]

AV receivers with a full pre-amp out section seem to be rare these days unless I want to pay a ton or buy separates, but a number have zone 2 out that look like they may work as a pre out for 2.0.

Not sure where you get that information from, all current Marantz SR series, Denon AVR-X3000 series and higher, Yamaha RX-A1000 series and higher have full set of preamp outputs, just to name a few.

I also think I might get a benefit from a receiver that does "direct" or "pure direct" as a sound setting so I let the Arcam color the sound to what I have liked traditionally, but I have no idea whether that would even have a bearing in my case given that I am ideally using the AV receiver as a pre-amp pass-through for the audio signal anyway.

It depends on the model. If it is something like the FMJ A32, you can connect the AVR's pre out to the A32's "pwr in" and there is a peamp/power amp mode selector switch. This is sort of a so called home theater bypass feature that allows you to use the integrated amp as a power amp for home theater use and as an integrated amp for other purposes (music).

I was looking at the Marantz 1609 as an option, but it has a "pre out zone 2" and a "pre out front" which is confusing. Manual can be found easily online, but I can't post a link. Discussion of pre-out on page 139 of the english manual.

The labels are clear, pre out zone 2 is for connection to a separate power amp for zone 2. The other pre out is for the front left and front right channels. Zone2 typically have lower quality DACs, in the case of the Marantz NR1609, it likely (the NR1608 for sure) has a lower quality preamp section as well.

Would either of these outputs suit my purpose?
Is there a better AV receiver for my needs which is cheaper or similarly priced that I should consider?

I am not entirely clear about what you are trying to achieve. Do you want the Arcam to function as an integrated amp for music, not influenced by the AVR, and as a power amp when watching movies? In that case, if your Arcam has the feature like the A32 has, that yes it should suit your purpose. You mentioned "pure direct", be aware that if you are using the AVR's pre out, then you are obviously using it's preamp regardless of the pure direct mode.