How to connect a power amp to my existing Onkyo TX-NR545?

[Markie_900]

Hi, I am fairly new to the world of HiFi and home theater systems. I recently bought the NAD C275BEE (stereo power amp) and I am looking to use it to drive my pair of floor speakers but I still want to use my existing AV Onkyo-NR545 as a DAC/pre-amp. As seen in the attached picture, I only seem to have Zone 2 - line out - as an option. Can I use this RCA output to connect to my NAD power amp?

In the manual, the following is mentioned:
"The volume should be adjusted with the pre-main amplifier used in the separate room"

This is somewhat confusing because the NAD 275 is a pure power amplifier and lacks a volume knob.

Question is, will it be possible to drive my floor speakers using the NAD while keeping my Onkyo as a pre-amp?

Grateful for some answers.

 

[everettT]

You need to check your manual to see it there is a dac for zone 2, ie digital. Some models are analog only, which wouldn't work.

 

[Markie_900]

You need to check your manual to see it there is a dac for zone 2, ie digital. Some models are analog only, which wouldn't work.

I think it is analog only since the only ports available on Zone 2 on my AV is the RCA ports. But if we leave the DAC out of the equation, is it still possible to use my AV receiver as a pre-amp using the RCA ports seen in the picture? See screenshot from the zone 2 section of the manual.

 

[everettT]

I think it is analog only since the only ports available on Zone 2 on my AV is the RCA ports. But if we leave the DAC out of the equation, is it still possible to use my AV receiver as a pre-amp using the RCA ports seen in the picture? See screenshot from the zone 2 section of the manual.

Yes, with analog sources. Nothing connected with digital.

 

[lovinthehd]

You want to use the pair of speakers by themselves, you have no sub/surrounds?

 

[Markie_900]

You want to use the pair of speakers by themselves, you have no sub/surrounds?

I just want to use my front speakers. No sub/surrounds are connected.

 

[lovinthehd]

Forgot about the zone 2 outputs being line outs (fixed output, rather than variable like a pre-out provides), so no volume control for many power amps but looking at the manual for your amp you do have a level adjust that could work as volume control of sorts.

 

[Markie_900]

So what you are saying is to still use the 2 Zone2 outputs as intended? And yes, you are right. I do have a level adjust on the NAD. Interesting!
Correct me if I am wrong but there is no possibility I can damage my NAD by simply testing this setup, using the line out interfaces on my AV, right?

 

[lovinthehd]

So what you are saying is to still use the 2 Zone2 outputs as intended? And yes, you are right. I do have a level adjust on the NAD. Interesting!
Correct me if I am wrong but there is no possibility I can damage my NAD by simply testing this setup, using the line out interfaces on my AV, right?

I suppose if you tried hard enough you could find a way to damage the amp but probably not doing this....I would however switch the input from fixed to variable and start with the lowest level, tho.

 

[Markie_900]

I suppose if you tried hard enough you could find a way to damage the amp but probably not doing this....I would however switch the input from fixed to variable and start with the lowest level, tho.

Thanks a lot for the help. Appreciate your support!

 

[BMXTRIX]

Looking through the manual, there is no indication at all that you can change the zone 2 output to variable. This may be possible, but the manual does not say that it is. If it is possible, you may need to set the speakers for zone 2 as 'powered'. It is definitely the case that the receiver can ramp volume on the speaker terminals for zone 2, but nothing indicates this will impact the RCA line output connections.

https://www.intl.onkyo.com/downloads/manuals/pdf/tx-nr545_bas_adv_manual_en.pdf

I've searched the whole manual and I really haven't run into a receiver which has a specific zone 2 output that doesn't offer variable output as an option. This may be the first.

This being a very possible reality, then you will only have volume control by adjusting the pre-outs of the NAD up and down. Make SURE you start with the volume turned down so you don't blow the speakers up.

 

[Markie_900]

Valuable input. In fact, I went to the settings on my AV and I couldn't set the Zone 2 speakers to be configured as powered which is indeed strange. I will indeed follow your recommendation when I test the setup

 

[lovinthehd]

Looking through the manual, there is no indication at all that you can change the zone 2 output to variable. This may be possible, but the manual does not say that it is. If it is possible, you may need to set the speakers for zone 2 as 'powered'. It is definitely the case that the receiver can ramp volume on the speaker terminals for zone 2, but nothing indicates this will impact the RCA line output connections.

https://www.intl.onkyo.com/downloads/manuals/pdf/tx-nr545_bas_adv_manual_en.pdf

I've searched the whole manual and I really haven't run into a receiver which has a specific zone 2 output that doesn't offer variable output as an option. This may be the first.

This being a very possible reality, then you will only have volume control by adjusting the pre-outs of the NAD up and down. Make SURE you start with the volume turned down so you don't blow the speakers up.

Zone 2 is simply a fixed line out on the avr, requiring a volume control on the next unit....and his Nad power amp has a level adjust (and on the power amp is an input switch to either enable the level control or not). I have seen a couple times this fixed line level zone 2 but not often.

 

[lovinthehd]

Valuable input. In fact, I went to the settings on my AV and I couldn't set the Zone 2 speakers to be configured as powered which is indeed strange. I will indeed follow your recommendation when I test the setup

The avr's output is a fixed line level output for zone 2. No adjustments.....altho there is a powered zone 2 option using the avr's amps.

 

[Markie_900]

The avr's output is a fixed line level output for zone 2. No adjustments.....altho there is a powered zone 2 option using the avr's amps.

Didn't fully understand what you meant with your last sentence. Can you explain?

 

[lovinthehd]

Didn't fully understand what you meant with your last sentence. Can you explain?

You can have a volume control thru the avr only if you use the avr's built in amps for zone 2. The line out level for zone 2 on your avr is simply a fixed one, no option except to have volume control on the next unit as previously discussed and as specified in the avr manual. Just not the best avr for your purposes, you should have purchased one with pre-outs for at least the main L/R channels (but I think better to get a full set of pre-outs for full flexibility). Once upon a time receivers regularly came with processing/tape loops as well as pre-out/main-in options, but nowadays avrs with a full set of pre-outs tend to restrict that to the mid to upper end units....

ps You do realize that your Nad power amp is only slightly more powerful than your avr as a 2ch amp, right? Nad slightly better with lower impedance loads but do you really need that?

 

[Markie_900]

My avr I've had for a few years now. The reason why I want to test this specific setup is because my Onkyo is fully loaded with connectivity options (streaming, WiFi, Bluetooth etc.) which makes it a good choice as a pre-amp. With my NAD, I hope to be getting a bit more power, umppf and better stereo separation when listening to music in stereo, by bypassing the amp inside my avr.

 

[lovinthehd]

My avr I've had for a few years now. The reason why I want to test this specific setup is because my Onkyo is fully loaded with connectivity options (streaming, WiFi, Bluetooth etc.) which makes it a good choice as a pre-amp. With my NAD, I hope to be getting a bit more power, umppf and better stereo separation when listening to music in stereo, by bypassing the amp inside my avr.

No, your avr is a poor pre-amp, it doesn't have a full set of pre-outs Plus, the way you're using it you don't have full use of inputs. The Nad is a more powerful amp, maybe 4 dB better performance. Don't know how you come to that conclusion about separation particularly (is it even a problem?).

 

[Markie_900]

No, your avr is a poor pre-amp, it doesn't have a full set of pre-outs Plus, the way you're using it you don't have full use of inputs. The Nad is a more powerful amp, maybe 4 dB better performance. Don't know how you come to that conclusion about separation particularly (is it even a problem?).

To be fully clear, I do have a NAD pre-amp (C510) that I can use for the purpose of what I am looking to do but this specific pre-amp lacks built in connectivity. This is why I started digging into whether or not I could use my existing avr as a pre-amp and the reason why I started this thread. But yes, my avr appears to lack the full set of pre-outs.

The setup I would have to go with in that case is to use my NAD C510 together with the NAD C275BEE.

 

[PENG]

Forgot about the zone 2 outputs being line outs (fixed output, rather than variable like a pre-out provides), so no volume control for many power amps but looking at the manual for your amp you do have a level adjust that could work as volume control of sorts.

That is crazily (Onkyo) confusing and they should not label it as pre-out if it is just a line out. Good thing the op is careful otherwise he may risk damaging something.