Yamaha RX A1080

[Robbie124]

Hi;

looking for some insight on speaker configuration options on my receiver.
I am currently running a 7.2 speaker setup with my A1080. The front L/R are running through preouts to a Yamaha S700 amplifier.
I want to expand this system to include heights, the unit does have an option for this but it would mean sacrificing the rear surrounds.. or would it? Reading an extract from the manual it says that the unit automatically switches between the front presence and surround backs but can’t play simultaneously.
Two questions, would this mean the unit is changing between them live? And secondly, since I’m driving the front’s through an external amplifier, wouldn’t this free up capacity?

trying to avoid buying a new amplifier just to have the expanded sound scape

thanks a mill

 

[PENG]

Hi;

looking for some insight on speaker configuration options on my receiver.
I am currently running a 7.2 speaker setup with my A1080. The front L/R are running through preouts to a Yamaha S700 amplifier.
I want to expand this system to include heights, the unit does have an option for this but it would mean sacrificing the rear surrounds.. or would it? Reading an extract from the manual it says that the unit automatically switches between the front presence and surround backs but can’t play simultaneously.
Two questions, would this mean the unit is changing between them live? And secondly, since I’m driving the front’s through an external amplifier, wouldn’t this free up capacity?

trying to avoid buying a new amplifier just to have the expanded sound scape

thanks a mill

You have to read the manual to be sure but in general if it can only process 7.1, then if you want to include heights you will have to give up surround or back surround but mostly like the back surround channels. I am not sure what you meant by changing between them live, but there must be a setting you have to manually change.

driving the front's through external amps would free up those two amps for the extra two height channels in theory but you can only do that if the unit has the assign function that let you re-assign the front channel amps to height, or back. It doesn't look like the 1080 has that option. So it looks like you are limited to 7.1, or 5.1.2 but not 7.1.2 but again please double check with the manual just to be sure.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah don't see any indication that the 1080 does more than 7.1/5.1.2. You could connect the extra speakers and just use front/rear as per the particular sound mode employed.....I did that with my first 7ch setup that also had just 7.1 processing (but terminals for both front height/rear surround). It was interesting using the front heights in that room vs rear surrounds, but in the end the rear surrounds simply won out. Haven't tried again, altho I have a 9ch avr now (with 11ch of processing) and could add heights and use them simultaneously....but too lazy so far

 

[Robbie124]

thanks for the response, maybe its just the wording, if you look at the two pics from the manual it says you can connect 2 - 9 speakers and refers to using an external amplifier for channel expansion.
on the other image it says it automatically changes between front presence and rear surrounds. it doesn't allow me to assign amp's when using the external amplifier so I'm not quite sure how it is applied, it probably just down to interpretation. will then need to buy the RXA6A but it will give me longevity and more options down the line

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah not sure what they mean by channel expansion in that use. First note is clear enough that you can't do it simultaneously....