Denon 3803 as pre amp for phono

[jarujammer]

I have a denon 1612 for home theater because of the hdmi ports; it's not nearly the receiver as my older 3803. Can I use the 3803 as a pre-amp for phono, and if so, how do I configure it. Thank you. Sorry I didn't include this info; the idea is that the 1612 doesn't have a phono output and the 3803 does - can i use it instead of getting a phono pre-amp? And would maybe the 3803 be able to give the system a boost anyway? Thanks again.

 

[rojo]

I think you can, but it's about like owning a car for the sole purpose of using it to jump start a lawn mower. A more elegant solution might be to get an actual dedicated phono pre-amp.

If you insist on using the 3803 as a phono pre-amp, then turntable into phono input of 3803, and stereo RCA from 3803's CDR / Tape out into 1612 stereo analog input of your choice. (Edit: The 3803's optical and digital coax outputs appear only to work if the input is also digital.) If your turntable can power on when it is plugged in, then you can plug its power cord into the switched outlet of the 3803, so you still only have two devices to power on. Set the 3803 to phono input, and set the 1612 to whatever input has the 3803 plugged into it. Then go ahead, let your hair down.

Too bad your 1612 doesn't have 5.1 or digital pre outs.

 

[jarujammer]

thank you, i understand what you're saying, just got crushed when biz collapsed and will upgrade when i can, just looking for a 'now' workaround ... thank you for concise directions

 

[rojo]

Ouch. Well, stick around and window shop for when brighter days arrive. Hopefully things'll turn around quickly. Welcome to the forum!

You know, you might consider just using your television as your HDMI switcher, and still use the 3803 as your primary amp. What kind of television do you have? I'll see if I can find out whether it'll pass through multichannel from HDMI to optical out. (It's not likely, but it's worth checking. Unless you're only running 2.1 speakers anyway, then there's no downside regardless.)

 

[jarujammer]

emerson lf501em4f .... it's a budget model, so as you say, unlikely - but thank you

 

[rojo]

Yes! According to page 14 of the manual, the digital coax output does send multichannel audio to a receiver. Run a coaxial digital cable from the TV to your 3803. Leave your 3803 on the same input for every source except phono, and plug all your other devices into the television. Use the television to switch from source to source. You'll probably need to go through the television's menus and turn off its internal speakers as well. But if you try it and like it, you might decide to move your 1612 to the bedroom or garage.

 

[jarujammer]

Ha, cannot try it out until tomorrow, but fingers crossed ... thank you for your efforts, my old receiver is just a tad superiour ...

 

[rojo]

I'm curious to know how this turns out for you. Keep us updated.

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

 

[jarujammer]

OK, first off, I apologize for not updating - just hadn't gotten to bringing out the old receiver and getting out and buying a digital coax cable ... but, tonight i did, hooked it up to coax out on tv, and coax 1 in on denon, ... and no sound. tried it from cable box input, then from comp on hdmi input and still nothing. massive disappointment, but now that i've got the unit in place i'll play with it tomorrow; i can still use it with rca jacks for the time being, just comes out analog