Reference to Bose 901 manual and exactly how to connect if you must use Bose 901s
"The Bose 901s use an equalizer that on older recevers went of the "tape monitor" then you feed back into the "tape amp input". Many newer AVRs do not have tape monitor anymore. What this actually did was take the Pre-out connect it to the Bose 901 equalizer and then feed it back into the tape amp."
i did tried that, but no sucess. what i did was use the HK as an amp, and everything seams to work pretty well. what i will try to do is this get an stereo amp ROTEL 7010, and use this one with the bose's 901, my other opcion is get a pair of B&W 683 instead of the 901 and leave just the onkyo 805 avr with the 683 front and the 685 rear. what do you think of this?
I am not sure how you connected it, but what I suggested works. Be more specific on how you hooked it up.
source pre-amp --> 901 equalizer--> receiver amp ---> receiver line level speaker output ---> Bose 901 speakers
Here is a copy of a recent 901 manual:
http://www.rcaudio.net/ebay/bose901/bose_901.pdf
Equalizer Connections
There are two options for connecting the equalizer. Your choice depends on the type of
receiver you own and whether you plan to use the system primarily for stereo or for home
theater enjoyment.
Stereo/non-home theater use
(tape monitor connections)
The Bose® 901® active equalizer connects directly to your receiver through the tape monitor
connection. If your receiver has more than one tape connection, use the second one (TAPE 2).
To connect a tape deck, use the additional set of inputs and outputs located on the back of
the 901 active equalizer marked TAPE RECORDER CONNECTIONS.
The TAPE MONITOR switch on the front of the receiver lets you switch the equalizer in and
out of the signal path. This is important when you want to play conventional, non-equalized
speakers or headphones attached to your receiver. See Using other equipment on page 13.
Note: If your receiver is designed for home theater use, it may not have a Tape Monitor
switch. If not, you must use a PRE AMP OUT/MAIN AMP IN connection. This may also be
called the ADAPTER or SIGNAL PROCESSOR connection. Refer to “Home theater use (PRE
AMP OUT/MAIN AMP IN)” on page 10 for instructions on how to connect for home theater
use.
1. Disconnect any external tape deck or signal processor connected to the tape monitor
connection.
2. Use the twin cable assemblies (with two connectors at each end) that are supplied with the
equalizer. Use the red connector for the right (R) channel connections and the other
connector for the left (L) channel connections.
3. Connect one end of a cable to the AMPLIFIER INPUT jacks on the 901® active equalizer.
a. Insert the first connector firmly into the INPUT jack marked R.
b. Insert the second connector into the INPUT jack marked L.
4. Connect the other end of the cable to the OUT or RECORD jacks on your receiver. These
jacks may be marked TO INPUT, FROM INPUT, or REC.
a. Insert the first connector into the OUT or RECORD jack marked R.
b. Insert the second connector into the OUT or RECORD jack marked L.
5. Connect the second cable from the AMPLIFIER OUTPUT jacks on the 901 active equalizer
to the IN or TAPE jacks on your receiver. These jacks may be marked PLAY, TO OUTPUT,
FROM OUTPUT, or MONITOR.
6. Plug the power cord of the 901 active equalizer into one of the switched outlets on the
receiver so that it will be powered when the receiver is switched on.
Figure 5
Connecting to the tape monitor
connection
Home theater use
(PRE AMP OUT/MAIN AMP IN)Use these instructions:
• for stereo-only operation if your receiver does not have a TAPE MONITOR connection.
• if you are using a surround sound receiver that has a section on the back marked PRE
AMP OUT/MAIN AMP IN. The jacks may be labeled ADAPTER or SIGNAL PROCESSOR.
Note: If your receiver does not have this PRE AMP OUT/MAIN AMP IN section, the 901
speakers will not be usable in your home theater system.
1. The PRE AMP OUT/MAIN AMP IN jacks on your receiver are usually connected by small
bars called horseshoe pins. Remove these pins. See Figure 6.
2. Use the twin cable assemblies (with two connectors at each end) that are supplied with the
equalizer. Use one connector for the right (R) channel connections and the other connector
for the left (L) channel connections.
3. Connect the amplifier INPUT of the Bose® 901® active equalizer to the PRE AMP OUT jacks
of the receiver or amplifier. Connect right channel to right channel and left to left.
4. Connect the amplifier OUTPUT of the active equalizer to the MAIN AMP IN jacks on the
receiver or amplifier. Connect right channel to right channel and left to left.
5. Plug the power cord of the 901 active equalizer into one of the switched outlets on the
receiver so that it will be powered when the receiver is switched on.
Note: This connection method does not allow you to connect a tape deck directly to the active
equalizer. Connect it to the receiver instead.
Check to see that the 901 speakers are connected to the receiver MAIN or FRONT speaker
jacks. In this way the 901 active equalizer signals will reach only the 901 speakers – the front
channels of your home theater – and not any non-901 speakers used as center and surround
channels.
Call Bose Corporation for assistance with the connection of additional speakers or signal
processing equipment. Refer to the address information inside the back cover of this guide.
A free booklet is available (USA only): Guide to Optional System Connections for Bose 901
Direct/Reflecting® Speaker Systems. Ask for part number 149393.
Figure 7
Home theater receiver
connections
The above instrauction are from the bose manaul and specaifically state how to connect two ways : (1) with tape Monitor ad (2) pre-out /main amp
However, you might want to heed others suggestions and consider not spending more money to get you 901s working. There are some speaker options that sound slightly better than Bose speakers
Good Luck!
MidCow2
Disclaimer - By providing this explanation and information concerning Bose 901 is not meant too, nor does it imply any endorsement or recommendation of Bose products.