First seperates: Marantz 7706 - Parasound A51

[Erkan1976]

I owned a AVR before and with that setup, you never think about how sound or video will be processed.
But I'm getting my first seperates setup Marantz 7706 and the Parasound A51 and was wondering something....
If i connect both amps with XLR cables, what amp will do the actual amplification?
Or will they both do that? Or do you have control of that choice yourself, with a switch?
Thanks in advance for all the reactions

 

[Swerd]

The Marantz 7706 is an AV pre-amp. It cannot drive speakers. Only your Parasound amp does that. You don't have any other choice.

Some AV receiver models can be used either as a pre-amp or as a receiver. If you wire the speakers to the receiver's speaker terminals, it will drive the speakers. If you wire the speakers to the external amp's terminals, the amp drives the speakers. But in your case, you have only one choice.

It doesn't matter if you connect the pre-amp to the amp with RCA interconnect cables or XLR cables. Except for the XLR's ability to suppress noise, along with fully balanced circuits, there is little difference.

 

[Erkan1976]

The Marantz 7706 is an AV pre-amp. It cannot drive speakers. Only your Parasound amp does that. You don't have any other choice.

Some AV receiver models can be used either as a pre-amp or as a receiver. If you wire the speakers to the receiver's speaker terminals, it will drive the speakers. If you wire the speakers to the external amp's terminals, the amp drives the speakers. But in your case, you have only one choice.

It doesn't matter if you connect the pre-amp to the amp with RCA interconnect cables or XLR cables. Except for the XLR's ability to suppress noise, along with fully balanced circuits, there is little difference.

That makes sense to me.
The reason why I asked, is because I spoke to a sales man and he told me the Marantz 7706 ( in combination with the A51) wouldn't be sufficient to drive Paradigm Prestige's 85F's.
I don't think that's true and even surprised that the power of an pre amp even matters.
Isn't the pre amp only for processing video ( in my case with only a Blu ray player hooked on) ?
Or do I see that wrong?

 

[Swerd]

That makes sense to me.
The reason why I asked, is because I spoke to a sales man and he told me the Marantz 7706 (in combination with the A51) wouldn't be sufficient to drive Paradigm Prestige's 85F's.
I don't think that's true and even surprised that the power of an pre amp even matters. Isn't the pre amp only for processing video (in my case with only a Blu ray player hooked on)?
Or do I see that wrong?

I also find it hard to believe that salesman. Your pre-amp and amp combination should be easily able to drive your speakers. I think he wanted to sell you a larger and more expensive amp, at a greater commission for himself, and a greater profit margin for his store.

An AV pre-amp does both digital and analog processing of all audio signals. It processes any digital audio signal into analog audio. In addition, it does all the analog audio pre-amp functions, as all audio pre-amps did before the digital days. That includes volume, tone controls, as well as switching between all possible external sound and video sources. In modern digital pre-amps, such as your Marantz, the volume & tone controls are done while the audio signals are digital, before they are converted to analog.

It also partially amplifies each channel's audio signal as well, to voltage levels called 'pre-amp level', needed by an external amp like yours. That involves a gain from roughly 0.15 Volts (known as 'line level', such as analog audio levels from separate sound sources), to about 1-1.5 Volts, as needed to drive your external amp. In your case, you have a Blu-Ray player which probably sends digital audio and video signals to your pre-amp, so 'line level analog audio signals' don't matter.

I've not heard your speakers, and can't comment on their sound, but you certainly have excellent quality electronic gear driving them. Your pre-amp & amp combination has plenty of power to drive your speakers. Enjoy them and … Congrats!

 

[Eppie]

https://www.paradigm.com/en/floorstanding/prestige-85f
The Prestige line is not manufactured any more and sits between the current Premier and Founder series. It's a well regarded speaker.

The salesman was talking nonsense. At 90dB efficiency you don't need a lot of power to drive those speakers. At 250W/ch into 8ohms you have plenty of power. Half of that would be enough for most people unless you have a large room or want to listen at live concert volume levels. The A51 should leave you plenty of headroom for transients. That's some serious coin for that amp.

 

[PENG]

The reason why I asked, is because I spoke to a sales man and he told me the Marantz 7706 ( in combination with the A51) wouldn't be sufficient to drive Paradigm Prestige's 85F's.
I don't think that's true and even surprised that the power of an pre amp even matters.
Isn't the pre amp only for processing video ( in my case with only a Blu ray player hooked on) ?
Or do I see that wrong?

He is right, you do need the two combined, because the A51 is a power amp, so it needs the 7706 AVpreamp to drive it.

 

[Swerd]

He is right, you do need the two combined, because the A51 is a power amp, so it needs the 7706 AVpreamp to drive it.

PENG, you're right that Erkan 1976 must use both the 7706 pre-amp and the A51 amp together. But the salesman was wrong when he said "the Marantz 7706 ( in combination with the A51) wouldn't be sufficient to drive Paradigm Prestige's 85F's".

Need more coffee this morning? Or did you just mis-word things ?

 

[Erkan1976]

Thanks for the replies so far.
If i do understand correctly, the pre amp isn't only for video processing, as I initially first thought.
I do realize that I need both pre amp and amp.
Also know that the Prestige serie is discontinued, but see them come buy sometimes.
Because some people trade them in for the new founder series.
I can buy the 75F's at the moment, but would prefer at least the 85F's. So have to wait and hope I can buy them somewhere here in The Netherlands

 

[Eppie]

Thanks for the replies so far.
If i do understand correctly, the pre amp isn't only for video processing, as I initially first thought.
I do realize that I need both pre amp as external
Also know that the Prestige serie is discontinued, but see them come buy sometimes.
Because some people trade them in for the new founder series.
I can buy the 75F's at the moment, but would prefer at least the 85F's. So have to wait and hope I can buy them somewhere here in The Netherlands

The Netherlands? Can I assume that you have looked at Arendal? Highly rated on the forums, or are the used Paradigms that much less expensive? Considering how much you spent on your electronics, most here tend to budget more for speakers which have the biggest impact on sound. A pair of THX towers from Arendal would sound awesome with that pre/pro and amp combination and they offer a full selection of surrounds too.

 

[j_garcia]

A51 not capable of handling these speakers? At what, concert levels? Your salesman, as BMX said, is trying to oversell you. Even in a large room, the A51 would seem to have enough power to handle the vast majority of speakers at ear blistering levels.

The Marantz Pres are very nice and very capable, I have the 7705.

 

[Erkan1976]

The Netherlands? Can I assume that you have looked at Arendal? Highly rated on the forums, or are the used Paradigms that much less expensive? Considering how much you spent on your electronics, most here tend to budget more for speakers which have the biggest impact on sound. A pair of THX towers from Arendal would sound awesome with that pre/pro and amp combination and they offer a full selection of surrounds too.

I bought the Parasound for 3000 euro Yeah, I heard of the brand Arendal earlier this week.
I've heard the Paradigm's 95F's two years ago and was mind blown.
Such nice soundstage. So I'm pretty sure I want that brand ( if I'm lucky to find them here ).
The 75F's are at half price now, but i would prefer the 85F's.
Otherwise I have to look at another brand

 

[Erkan1976]

A51 not capable of handling these speakers? At what, concert levels? Your salesman, as BMX said, is trying to oversell you. Even in a large room, the A51 would seem to have enough power to handle the vast majority of speakers at ear blistering levels.

The Marantz Pres are very nice and very capable, I have the 7705.

No, the salesman meant the Marantz was under powered and he recommended the Arcam AV41.
But i didn't believed him anyway at the time

 

[j_garcia]

No, he meant the Marantz was under powered and he recommended the Arcam AV41.
But i didn't believed him anyway

I see, and even though I like Arcam, it still sounds like he is upselling. Maybe he gets a better margin on the Arcam.

 

[Erkan1976]

I see, and even though I like Arcam, it still sounds like he is upselling. Maybe he gets a better margin on the Arcam.

Yeah, most definitely

 

[Eppie]

I bought the Parasound for 3000 euro Yeah, I heard of the brand Arendal earlier this week.
I've heard the Paradigm's 95F's two years ago and was mind blown.
Such nice soundstage. So I'm pretty sure I want that brand ( if I'm lucky to find them here ).
The 75F's are at half price now, but i would prefer the 85F's.
Otherwise I have to look at another brand

I won't argue against the Paradigms. I am still using a pair of Paradigm Studio 20 and CC590 centre for my system and have been quite happy with them.

 

[Erkan1976]

I won't argue against the Paradigms. I am still using a pair of Paradigm Studio 20 and CC590 centre for my system and have been quite happy with them.

You Sir, have good taste! LMAO

 

[Erkan1976]

Anyone knows if the Paradigm Prestige's tweeter is still sounding harsh, when using a Parasound A51?

 

[PENG]

PENG, you're right that Erkan 1976 must use both the 7706 pre-amp and the A51 amp together. But the salesman was wrong when he said "the Marantz 7706 ( in combination with the A51) wouldn't be sufficient to drive Paradigm Prestige's 85F's".

Need more coffee this morning? Or did you just mis-word things ?

Thanks, I was confused by the OP's question.

 

[lovinthehd]

That makes sense to me.
The reason why I asked, is because I spoke to a sales man and he told me the Marantz 7706 ( in combination with the A51) wouldn't be sufficient to drive Paradigm Prestige's 85F's.
I don't think that's true and even surprised that the power of an pre amp even matters.
Isn't the pre amp only for processing video ( in my case with only a Blu ray player hooked on) ?
Or do I see that wrong?

Sounds like a salesman to be ignored. Like most.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for the replies so far.
If i do understand correctly, the pre amp isn't only for video processing, as I initially first thought.
I do realize that I need both pre amp and amp.
Also know that the Prestige serie is discontinued, but see them come buy sometimes.
Because some people trade them in for the new founder series.
I can buy the 75F's at the moment, but would prefer at least the 85F's. So have to wait and hope I can buy them somewhere here in The Netherlands

Most of us likely do not use our avrs or pre-pros/avps for video processing as our displays generally do better, can be useful for legacy components to play on modern gear, tho.