Connecting multiple 5.1 sources to amplifier

[ssmaudio]

Hi, I ‘m trying to figure out how to integrate both stereo and multi-ch music sources into one system. (Note: don’t care about movies—so no fancy Atmos/THX/etc.) I‘m thinking of getting a multi-ch amp like the Marantz MM8077 or Parasound A51 to connect them to. But how do I select different sources to play through the amp? Do I need a preamplifier?

I have the following:

• Audio sources with 5.1 analog outputs: SACD player (Yamaha BD-A1010), DAC (Exasound e38)
• Audio source with stereo output: CD player (Yamaha CD-S1000)
• Video source with HDMI output (like Chromecast) through which to stream opera

I can’t obviously plug all of audio sources into the back of one of the amps. So how can I have all the audio sources be connected to the amp and select the source that I want? I’m a bit confused since all of the manuals for the audio sources say that I don’t need a pre-amp. So what do I use?

And of course, how to bring the video source into the system.

Thanks very much

 

[lovinthehd]

Generally many use audio-video receivers (avrs), which are a pre-amp/processor, amplifier and radio tuner/internet access in one box. If you have separate amps you could use a pre-amp/processor stand-alone unit (pre-pro) or an avr that is equipped with pre-outs (and use some or none of its amps). Such units have multiple inputs for various sources (multich generally being via hdmi but some still have analog inputs if you need).

What speakers do you use?

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi, I ‘m trying to figure out how to integrate both stereo and multi-ch music sources into one system. (Note: don’t care about movies—so no fancy Atmos/THX/etc.) I‘m thinking of getting a multi-ch amp like the Marantz MM8077 or Parasound A51 to connect them to. But how do I select different sources to play through the amp? Do I need a preamplifier?

I have the following:

• Audio sources with 5.1 analog outputs: SACD player (Yamaha BD-A1010), DAC (Exasound e38)
• Audio source with stereo output: CD player (Yamaha CD-S1000)
• Video source with HDMI output (like Chromecast) through which to stream opera

I can’t obviously plug all of audio sources into the back of one of the amps. So how can I have all the audio sources be connected to the amp and select the source that I want? I’m a bit confused since all of the manuals for the audio sources say that I don’t need a pre-amp. So what do I use?

And of course, how to bring the video source into the system.

Thanks very much

Yes, you will need a pre amp. Separates are actually a good way to go, I think. That is what I have always done. If you want to go that route, then I recommend the Marantz 7705 pre/pro.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I’m a bit confused since all of the manuals for the audio sources say that I don’t need a pre-amp.

That would be true if the component for said manual was the only component that you had. But if you have multiple components, you need a pre-amp to switch between them. On top of that – you can’t connect an HDMI device directly to an amplifier. So since video is involved you need an audio/video preamp like the Marantz TLS mentioned.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[ssmaudio]

Great, thanks for the advice. I’ll go with the pre-amp then. Are there any specific tonal characteristics that different pre-amps have? Since I’m talking only music here, I don’t want the movie treatment of the incoming sound. And I’m talking specifically classical, opera and jazz here. Don’t care about the new-fangled rock/pop/hip-hop that the kids listen to nowadays. (That’s my kids talking.)

Regarding speakers. I’m upgrading from my spare-parts- found-lying-around Polk Rti A7s. Thinking of Tannoy Revolution, Tekton Electron SE or Totem Forest Signature. (I guess I like Ts.) Splendor D9.2 or Classic series and Graham Audio LA 5/9f seem too expensive. My budget for speakers is 5k.

Shankha
(He/him/his)

 

[TLS Guy]

Great, thanks for the advice. I’ll go with the pre-amp then. Are there any specific tonal characteristics that different pre-amps have? Since I’m talking only music here, I don’t want the movie treatment of the incoming sound. And I’m talking specifically classical, opera and jazz here. Don’t care about the new-fangled rock/pop/hip-hop that the kids listen to nowadays. (That’s my kids talking.)

Regarding speakers. I’m upgrading from my spare-parts- found-lying-around Polk Rti A7s. Thinking of Tannoy Revolution, Tekton Electron SE or Totem Forest Signature. (I guess I like Ts.) Splendor D9.2 or Classic series and Graham Audio LA 5/9f seem too expensive. My budget for speakers is 5k.

Shankha
(He/him/his)

I doubt any of the separate AV preamps are going to change the sound at all, if you don't engage any of the Eq modes.
I have measured my Marantz AV 7705 and can vouch that it is flat as a pan. So you won't have any trouble with sound I can assure you.
I'm not sure what music you listen to, however I don't think those speaker choices are commensurate with the electronics you are planning.
The Totem Forrest is probably the best of the first bunch. Spendor speakers are superb. I have never heard one of their speakers I did not like. The speaker you sighted is nearly double your budget. However if you are going to spend about 5K on electronics, then the speaker budget needs to be above what you have set to justify the expenditure on the electronics.

You might want to look at Salk's offerings. What is your country of residence by the way.

 

[NINaudio]

for around $5k:

https://www.salksound.com/model.php?model=Song3 BeAT

 

[ssmaudio]

Am in Santa Fe NM.

I listen exclusively to classical, opera and jazz. I’m ok with decent quality used speakers, so the ones I mentioned (other than Splendor and Graham) are within my budget as far as my cursory research seems to show. (I’m willing to be corrected.) The Splendor and Graham are hard to find, so probably out of my range.

 

[lovinthehd]

I think you'd be happy with Salk and/or Philharmonic Audio products (they work together and Dennis Murphy of Philharmonic is a member here, he designs speakers/ crossovers for Salk). Dennis himself is a classical musician. They're both internet direct, however, although if you contact them they may be able to hook you up with someone in your area willing to demonstrate. As was said any "movie" treatment of audio in the pre-pro would be up to you to enable or not...same for an avr.

 

[ssmaudio]

last silly question. I see that some multi-ch preamps (say Parasound P7) have a subwoofer output, but the corresponding amp (like Parasound A52+) doesn’t. So if the amp drives the 5.0 speakers, does that mean that one always needs a powered subwoofer to be connected to the preamp? That doesn’t make sense.

 

[lovinthehd]

Well yes, that's exactly right. Most commercial subs come with a dedicated amp, a strictly passive sub is much harder to find. Plus subs generally need more power.

 

[sterling shoote]

last silly question. I see that some multi-ch preamps (say Parasound P7) have a subwoofer output, but the corresponding amp (like Parasound A52+) doesn’t. So if the amp drives the 5.0 speakers, does that mean that one always needs a powered subwoofer to be connected to the preamp? That doesn’t make sense.

The Preamp you buy will have a "pre out" labeled "subwoofer". You will connect that output to the input of a powered subwoofer, or to the input of a mono power amplifier or stereo power amp operating in bridged mode, which is connected to the input of a passive subwoofer.

 

[ssmaudio]

Thanks! If I have two subs for stereo imaging, can I still connect the two to the one sub pre out? Or only one?

 

[lovinthehd]

Sub pre-out is mono (even most units designated ".2" only use an internal splitter to simply provide two pre-outs), as is much of bass content recorded. To chase "stereo" subs you lose some of the placement advantages of subs, and you'll have to get a bit creative to capture separate R/L bass content, something personally have never bothered with. You could use additional dsp/crossover processing, which sounds like something you don't want to do, with something like a miniDSP 2x4, altho there are analog crossovers available too; or you could split the main pre-outs (split between power amp and sub amp) or share the speaker wires with a sub with high level inputs.