Using multichannel AVR with 2 channel separtates?

[Affejunge]

I recently got a great deal on a Parasound Zamp v3 that I could not pass up. My original thought was to use it as a zone amp for the garage or to replace my old AVR I am using for my computer.

Then it hit me, what about powering my R/L on my HT setup?! I am currently using the Yamaha 663 AVR rated at 95wpc. It seems the yammy really runs out of gas/distorts at high listening volumes. What would be the issue if I used the Zamp for my main R/L's and let the receiver power the other 3 speakers? I know the Zamp is rated at 45wpc, but from everything I have read, it is really an impressive amp. I will be pushing Axiom M22s.

Another huge advantage to going this way is I can use the pre-out on the yammy to go to my sub (SVS PB-12 NSD), let the sub do this cross over, then use the high pass-low level out on the sub to go to the Zamp. I will then finally have bass management for my turntable!

So what is the feasibility of this?

 

[lsiberian]

I recently got a great deal on a Parasound Zamp v3 that I could not pass up. My original thought was to use it as a zone amp for the garage or to replace my old AVR I am using for my computer.

Then it hit me, what about powering my R/L on my HT setup?! I am currently using the Yamaha 663 AVR rated at 95wpc. It seems the yammy really runs out of gas/distorts at high listening volumes. What would be the issue if I used the Zamp for my main R/L's and let the receiver power the other 3 speakers? I know the Zamp is rated at 45wpc, but from everything I have read, it is really an impressive amp. I will be pushing Axiom M22s.

Another huge advantage to going this way is I can use the pre-out on the yammy to go to my sub (SVS PB-12 NSD), let the sub do this cross over, then use the high pass-low level out on the sub to go to the Zamp. I will then finally have bass management for my turntable!

So what is the feasibility of this?

Honestly I don't think it will give you the volume you want. The Yamaha is a 28 lb receivers. Meaning it can drive 5 channels with about 4 to 5 lbs of amp each. The Parasound is 7lbs and would only give you 3lbs of amp each.

If you want to listen to music and find your speakers clipping make sure you run them in stereo mode. The Axiom M22s are 2 way so I'm not sure why they are clipping or if they are. It's possible you just don't like them.

I don't think it's a power problem with the amp.

 

[Affejunge]

If you want to listen to music and find your speakers clipping make sure you run them in stereo mode. The Axiom M22s are 2 way so I'm not sure why they are clipping or if they are. It's possible you just don't like them.

It may be I just don't like the speakers...but for movies they are fine. The clipping I am only really noticing when listening to vinyl. I run the Yamaha in "Pure Direct" so it will not perform an ADC on the signal... but this also means the M22s are getting a full range signal.

 

[Highbar]

Are you upping the base when running pure direct? I only ask because you mention that part of your reason for wanting to do this to have bass management while listening to vinyl. Since you are using PD there is no sub being used and I'm guessing that the "clipping" you are hearing is the M22's trying to put out more bass than they can.

As for your theory, I'm not really sure. It would give you the BM you are looking for while in PD mode but it will also mess with everything you have set up for movies, and cut the available power to the speakers in half, which will drop the volume all around.

I think you are better off using it in another area and if you want to try out this theory getting an amp at least as powerful as your Yamaha.

 

[MatthewB.]

I believe the Zamp can be bridged and if so, then I would use that to drive the center channel, relieving the recievers amp to drive the remainng speakers. If it can't be bridged than i would use it to drive surround sound speakers, because 45 wpc isnt enough to drive main speakers. I have a 60 wpc adcom and I would never dream of letting it run my mains. But any outboard amp that you use will relieve power of the receivers amp to drive the other channels.

 

[Affejunge]

I believe the Zamp can be bridged and if so, then I would use that to drive the center channel, relieving the recievers amp to drive the remainng speakers.

Yes, it can be bridged. Interesting idea. But that said, when I hear the most issue (during vinyl) only 2 of the speakers are being used.

I do get clipping sometimes in movies when people YELL!!.. interesting idea to use it for my center channel...

Or, I could just go back to my original idea and use it as a zone 2 amp for the garage or to replace my AVR hooked to my computer.

 

[MatthewB.]

If you can find another Zamp then I would bridge both and use one amp for each main. But seriously 45 watts for mains is not a good idea. Used as a second zone is also a good idea.

 

[Affejunge]

My old AVR is the Yamaha HTR-5760 it is rated at 110wpc... is it possible to use an AVR as just an amp? I could use the RX-663 to power the rears and the HTR-5760 to power the R/L/C speakers.....reducing the load on both (plus I always felt my htr-5760 sounded better.. just did not have HDMI switching or modern codecs...)

 

[PENG]

You said you heard clipping but at what SPL level and volume setting? The M22s are 8 ohm speakers with 93 dB SPL 1W 1M in room sensitivity. You really have to crank the volume really high to get the 663 to clip when in pure direct mode driving only the L/R speakers.

 

[PENG]

is it possible to use an AVR as just an amp?

You sure can.

 

[Affejunge]

You sure can.

So guess my next question....where would be the idea volume setting for the "amp" avr?

 

[Affejunge]

Success!!!

So - I went ahead and did it... just more for proof of concept and here is what I found:

I am using a 45wpc amp in conjunction with my Yamaha 663. I on the Yammy the LR are set to Large with all bass going to LR. Then the RL preout goes to my SVS sub (for analog high/low pass filter) then to my parasound amp.

I cannot believe how much better this sounds! There has been a major clean up in the bass (it is now deeper and richer) and the LR, esp with analog. The speakers sound the best they ever have. I am now absolutely convinced separates are needed with the 663.

Caveats:
Since it is only a 45wpc amp, I have the receiver gain 1 db from max on R L and I have the R L gain on the parasound set at about 80%. So, no doubt, if my room was any bigger this would be a no go. But this was really a test to see if separates would sound better.

Also when I did all this, my wife was sleeping upstairs... so I have not really pushed the volume yet.. had it about about 85% of my normal listening volume. That said, it still sounded so much cleaner than the yamaha amp.

So....I think my next move will be to get a 85-125wpc 2ch amp for my R L, then bridge the parasound zamp to 90wpc for my center and let my Yamaha handle the rears...

 

[mjhughes]

I reckon it's the best sounding way to go also. I have experimented further and and made my own high pass filter to use instead of the one built into the sub. Much better results all round. Using the sub's low pass yields great results, you can blend the sub and the mains really well. AVR's mis-matched bass management slopes and and lfe input sound awful to me for music and movies.

 

[PENG]

So guess my next question....where would be the idea volume setting for the "amp" avr?

I guess you would set it to the maximum and then use a sound meter to do a full level calibration. I have never done it but I thought it should work.