Home Theater Bypass Issues

[500Homeruns]

To start. The three pieces of hardware I am dealing with:
AV Pre/Pro = Marantz AV8805A
Stereo Preamp = Rogue RP-7
Amplifier = Monolith by Monoprice 11 channel Home Theater amplifier

I am using the pre-outs (Front L&R) from the Marantz to the Home Theater Bypass input on the Rogue. It works like it should. Passing the front left and right channels to the speakers when playing surround audio with the Marantz ON and the Rogue OFF.
The problem is, when I power down the system, everything shuts OFF and the Rogue powers ON. This happens with only a pair of RCA interconnects between the Marantz and the Rogue.
Is there a setting somewhere in the Marantz menu that can stop this?

Also, I have a wire going from the trigger out of the Marantz to a trigger in on the Monolith. It works as it should when I power on the system. What doesn’t work well is when I want to use the Rogue to listen to stereo music. The Monolith is in Standby mode and does not turn on. I don’t expect it to either. The Rogue doesn’t have a trigger out to turn it ON. To turn the Monolith ON, it’s not as simple as just pressing the Power button. It’s in Standby. I have to unplug the trigger wire, push the power button to release it from standby and then push it again to power it ON.

It’s really two issues I am hoping to find solutions to.

 

[PENG]

To start. The three pieces of hardware I am dealing with:
AV Pre/Pro = Marantz AV8805A
Stereo Preamp = Rogue RP-7
Amplifier = Monolith by Monoprice 11 channel Home Theater amplifier

I am using the pre-outs (Front L&R) from the Marantz to the Home Theater Bypass input on the Rogue. It works like it should. Passing the front left and right channels to the speakers when playing surround audio with the Marantz ON and the Rogue OFF.
The problem is, when I power down the system, everything shuts OFF and the Rogue powers ON. This happens with only a pair of RCA interconnects between the Marantz and the Rogue.
Is there a setting somewhere in the Marantz menu that can stop this?

If the Rogue does not have trigger input then you would have to purchase some sort of an external trigger.

Also, I have a wire going from the trigger out of the Marantz to a trigger in on the Monolith. It works as it should when I power on the system. What doesn’t work well is when I want to use the Rogue to listen to stereo music. The Monolith is in Standby mode and does not turn on. I don’t expect it to either. The Rogue doesn’t have a trigger out to turn it ON. To turn the Monolith ON, it’s not as simple as just pressing the Power button. It’s in Standby. I have to unplug the trigger wire, push the power button to release it from standby and then push it again to power it ON.

It’s really two issues I am hoping to find solutions to.

I don't think you have to unplug the trigger input, turning off and back on the main power switch at the back of the Monolith should do the trick too. If you can confirm that works, then you should be able to find a more practical solution. The AV8805 is a good enough AV preamp, that the Rogue preamp cannot do better, at least not in your case, but you obvious believe in the Rogue making a difference so if there is no practical solution you would have to put up with a little inconvenience.

 

[500Homeruns]

Thanks Peng.
I am surprised that the Marantz remote powers on the Rogue automatically. I didn’t program anything.
As far as the 8805A sounding as good (or close to) the Rogue, I must be doing something wrong (settings?). I am listening to some music now and it’s not really close. I wish it was.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks Peng.
I am surprised that the Marantz remote powers on the Rogue automatically. I didn’t program anything.
As far as the 8805A sounding as good (or close to) the Rogue, I must be doing something wrong (settings?). I am listening to some music now and it’s not really close. I wish it was.

Seems they're just using the same IR code....probably not something you can change, tho.

 

[PENG]

Thanks Peng.
I am surprised that the Marantz remote powers on the Rogue automatically. I didn’t program anything.
As far as the 8805A sounding as good (or close to) the Rogue, I must be doing something wrong (settings?). I am listening to some music now and it’s not really close. I wish it was.

I don't know either, without the trigger connection, the Marantz should turn on and off independently with the Rogue, unless some switched outlets are involved in your connections. You really should find out why this is happening first.

Regarding the "sounding.. not even closed part..", I don't know either, without being there to see how you did your AB comparison. If memory is involved, especially if done sighted, then anything can happen.

The Rogue preamp's only advantage appears to be in the output level, but the Monolith amp is only rated 200/300 W and has sensitivity quite high so the Marantz output is more than high enough to drive it. So either you are not doing a truly AB level matched comparison under the exact conditions, or because you were doing it sighted therefore bias is involved, or both. Knowing the high price of the RP7 can do a lot magic for sure. But we shouldn't get too much further on this controversial topic for the obvious reason. Regardless, if you are convinced of that then it is great for you.

Have you tried using the power switch at the back to turn on the Monolith, without removing the trigger?

 

[500Homeruns]

I don't know either, without the trigger connection, the Marantz should turn on and off independently with the Rogue, unless some switched outlets are involved in your connections. You really should find out why this is happening first.

Have you tried using the power switch at the back to turn on the Monolith, without removing the trigger?

I am going to contact Rogue and see if they can help.
The power switch on the back of the Monolith does the trick. Thanks.

 

[lovinthehd]

A thought, if what I saw about the Rogue having a remote is correct (and is using the same power on code), is to block the IR port if you don't need it.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks Peng.
I am surprised that the Marantz remote powers on the Rogue automatically. I didn’t program anything.
As far as the 8805A sounding as good (or close to) the Rogue, I must be doing something wrong (settings?). I am listening to some music now and it’s not really close. I wish it was.

Are you sure that you don't have some Eq turned on in the Marantz? I would bet some part of Audyssey is turned. That darn system has a habit of introducing itself without invitation.

You have to make sure that Audyssey is turned off input, by input, and when you have checked that make sure that the set up lock is left on. I can tell you that unless you are very carful Audyssey will inflict itself on you without invitation. Nothing good comes out of Audyssey as far as Eq is concerned. It is useful for levelling and distance settings, apart from that, it is a menace.

 

[lovinthehd]

Are you sure that you don't have some Eq turned on in the Marantz? I would bet some part of Audyssey is turned. That darn system has a habit of introducing itself without invitation.

You have to make sure that Audyssey is turned off input, by input, and when you have checked that make sure that the set up lock is left on. I can tell you that unless you are very carful Audyssey will inflict itself on you without invitation. Nothing good comes out of Audyssey as far as Eq is concerned. It is useful for levelling and distance settings, apart from that, it is a menace.

Good grief, much easier ways to go about it if you don't want to utilize Audyssey (yes I know you definitely don't). I can't imagine Audyssey is turning on his Rogue pre-amp....

 

[TLS Guy]

Good grief, much easier ways to go about it if you don't want to utilize Audyssey (yes I know you definitely don't). I can't imagine Audyssey is turning on his Rogue pre-amp....

You missed the point. I was referring to his contention that the Rogue sounds better than the 8805 which should not be true. They should sound the same.

I have tested a number of Marantz AVPs now and they have an absolutely flat frequency response if Audyssey is not engaged. In other words the are excellent preamps, and up with the best out there. I was not referring to his switching issue.

 

[lovinthehd]

You missed the point. I was referring to his contention that the Rogue sounds better than the 8805 which should not be true. They should sound the same.

I have tested a number of Marantz AVPs now and they have an absolutely flat frequency response if Audyssey is not engaged. In other words the are excellent preamps, and up with the best out there. I was not referring to his switching issue.

Ah, gotcha.....sometimes when people spend that much on a 2ch pre-amp alone, it must sound better I'd agree, compare them in a non-eq'd way. Easiest way to get rid of Audyssey is simply run a factory/microprocessor reset to clear it out.