Connecting Zone 2 and Zone 3 to utilize unused channels

[tiggastylez]

Hi there,

I've searched google and this thread before posting so I'm not asking something that has been asked before.
Here's my situation. I currently have the Marantz SR7012. I'm going all out and going to utilize the full 11.2 (7.4.2) processing capabilities of the receiver. Yes I know it is only capable of powering 9 channels, so I am thinking of buying 2 power amps
1. Marantz MM7055 to power center (Polk Audio CSi A6), surrounds (Polk Audio RTi A7), and rear surrounds (Polk Audio 65RT - in wall speakers)
2. Marantz MM7025 to power the front left and right (Polk Audio RTi A9)

The AVR will power the 4 Atmos speakers (Polk Audio RC60i)

My question:
I will have 5 channels on the AVR (SR7012) that will be unused.
I want to setup Zone 2 (The office - with a TV and 2 speakers)
And I want to setup Zone 3 (Backyard - with 2 outdoor speakers)
As long as I am not running Zone 2 and Zone 3 while running the main zone, will the AVR be able to support these additional 4 channels? (I'm hoping to get the power from speakers plugged into the unused fronts and surrounds on the AVR, while having preouts going from AVR for fronts and surrounds to the power amps).

Looking for the input of all the collective geniuses of audioholics.


Cheers,
Tigga

 

[tiggastylez]

Anybody???

 

[everettT]

What does the manual say? You have assignable channels for the ATMOS terminals, so yes it will work. Curious as to why the marantz amps?

 

[tiggastylez]

Hi Everett,

Thanks for your reply. Just to clarify, i already have the channels needed on my avr to power the atoms speakers...I just want to utilize the other channels that I feel are being wasted if I dont use them for zone 2 and zone 3.

So the manual only shows zone 2 and zone 3 connected without utilizing the preouts but what I’m trying to do is power 7 of my speakers via power amps and the seven channels that we then left unused on the avr...can I use them for zone 2 and zone 3? Logically I’m assuming you should be able to use the unused channels built into my avr to power zone 2 and zone 3, but I want some expert opinions from this forum first.

Finally, the reason I want Marantz amps is because I don’t want to buy the “best power for dollar” amp. I want the slightly warm sound of Marantz. The Emotiva amps while being modular is great, but I don’t need 200wpc. The Polk a9’s are very efficient and while being able to handle upto 500 watts per speaker, I don’t want to lose my hearing at 36 years of age lol.

Thanks again!

 

[everettT]

The marantz amps dont have a warm sound, or any sound. They look good though.
The only amp channels assignable are the height/atmos channels. If you want zone 2 or 3, those are the ones that have to used. Otherwise you need external amps for them.

 

[tiggastylez]

Thank you Everett!
I’ve researched a lot more last night and settled on this.

I will purchase the mm8077 amp for now to power all seven channels on ground level. I have an old Yamaha HTR 5730 that was just collecting dust and saw it has 6ch input. I’m hoping i can use the preouts on the Marantz SR7012 for the heights and plug those into the inputs in the Yamaha avr. I will also assign the two height channels on the SR7012 to zone 2 and zone 3.

Down the road, I will purchase the mm7055 to replace the Yamaha.

I hope this works.

Thank you Everett!

Cheers,
Tigga

 

[tiggastylez]

Btw...what amp do you have...and for curiosity’s sake...based on what I have...if not the Marantz amp...what amp do you recommend?

 

[everettT]

I have several amps, lately they are pro amps from QSC, Crown. Owned Mac, Carver, Hafler, JBL, among some. If I were wanting a new 5 or 7ch amp, I'd be looking at Monolith amps from monoprice manufactured by ATI, ATI, Outlaw, and possibly emotiva.