Do I need an A/V receiver?

[FatStrat85]

This is a continuation of the following 2 threads.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36221
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36820

I am now considering buying the Outlaw RR2150. It is a 2.1 receiver (has a subwoofer output) and looks amazing for stereo music. However, I do have one concern.

The other A/V receivers I was looking at would take a 5.1 (or 7.1) Dolby signal and automatically mix it down to 2.1 for me (from what I understand). Will the Outlaw not do that? Will there be missing audio information when I watch movies, or is Dolby desgined to work through stereo just as well pretty much?

Other than that, does anyone have anything good or bad to say about the RR2150? Is that a smart choice for a music/HT 2.1 setup?

 

[markw]

That fine receiver does not take in a digital audio signal as deos a full HT receiver. It operated in the analog domain.

Havivg that mis-named ".1" output on your receiver doesn't mean it delivers a separate LFE feed. It merely combines the bass from both the right and left analog channels and feeds it out of the sub out.

Second, virtually every source I've seen offers the red/white analog outputs which contain the full stereo feed, which your source would mix down internally. You would use these two RCA jacks to feed your stereo receiver and, being a two channel unit, I doubt you'll be missing anything major aside from the directionality that comes from the additional amplification and speakers.

Now, if you want to avail yourself of the full multi-channel experience (which includes a separate LFE channel and a digital mix down to two channels) then yes, you're gonna need a multi-channel HT receiver and feed it a digital signal.

 

[FatStrat85]

I see. Thank you for the response. So the LFE channel wouldn't go to the sub and the whole thing wouldn't be mixed the same as if I had a A/V HT receiver hooked up to my 2.1 setup. Hmmm... The Outlaw at least has a sub output with a crossover control, so it will at least be better than what I have now (normal 2 channel cheapo receiver that actually doesn't sound bad at all).

I know this next question is purely subjective, but I am just looking for opinions. Would the improved sound quality of the RR2150 for CD music outweigh the incorrect mixing for movies? Will the Outlaw sound significantly better than a normal $500 Yamaha/Onkyo/Marantz/Denon HT receiver for music, at least enough to outweigh whatever dissadvantes the Outlaw has for HT? I will be using this setup 50% of the time for music and 50% of the time for movies, but sound quality is more important to me when listening to music.

What do you think?

 

[avaserfi]

In reality I don't think there will be substantial enough differences in sound quality between the stereo receiver and a hometheater receiver. With most lower end or mid-range recievers the differences in sound quality are negligable as long as they can drive the speakers properly which shouldn't be a problem unless you have some inefficient or low impedence speakers and if this is the case the Outlaw won't do much better a job.

If I were in your position I would consider buying a HT reciever so if or when you do decide to upgrade from a two channel system you won't have to spend extra money getting a new receiver. Just go spend the 500 bucks on a receiver that is last years model. You will get great bang for you buck and have good stereo sound and the possibility to upgrade later on.

 

[FatStrat85]

But the Outlaw is so perty... It must sound better... I want it to sound better.

 

[mtrycrafts]

But the Outlaw is so perty... It must sound better... I want it to sound better.

Well then, but it and place it in a curio cabinet to display

Get a good receiver, 5.1 speaker setup with speakers that you want for 2 ch, and you will have both worlds covered equally well.

 

[GeorgeH]

Also, if you can afford it, don't be shy about getting a center speaker (assuming you go with a surround receiver). While it's true that two good speakers, when driven in stereo, can give a convincing center image for dialog (my Reference 1s do an amazing job of this - many people think the center is on even when the soundtrack is DD 2.0), it's only true when you are sitting in the stereo "sweet spot." Getting a center channel will make a huge difference in keeping the dialog centered for viewers that are off-axis. I ran a 3.1 setup for a year since, like the OP, it was tricky to wire the surrounds, and it worked quite well.