Is it possible to use a receiver w/o running the amps?

[Sn1ck3rz]

I can't seem to find any information on how to determine if an A/V receiver has the ability to be used just for the remote controlled input switching w/o running the amps. My wife rarely wants to have the amp on when she is using it just for her but would appreciate not having to get up and push the buttons on my passive A/V selector device. I want to upgrade to a receiver that can handle all of my inputs so I can chuck the A/V selector but the wife doesn't want the heat and added energy drain of the A/V receiver when she only needs the regular audio output from our television.

 

[AVRat]

The short answer is, no. Give us a gear list and available connectivity options and maybe we can help with connection options. Do you have a receiver in mind?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Turn the volume down on the amp and let it run. Does it have a fan that runs continuously? When it's on, it's probably using less current than a night light. Tell her not to be such a tight wad.

 

[majorloser]

There is no way of having the ability to turn it "on & off" per se. But you can remove the fuses from the amp rail to turn it off. Not something I'd recommend for the novice, though.

You could always buy a pre-pro and separate amps.

 

[Sn1ck3rz]

Gear List

My current receiver only allows 2 component inputs. I currently have 3 component sources: Xbox 360, DVD Player, HD cable box. My display is a Samsung 50 inch DLP with plenty of inputs. She uses all 3 of the above devices and never wants to have the amp going when doing so. Naturally I want the amp running when I use any of the above devices . In order to sell my wife on the upgrade of my amp I have to eliminate that switch box. I have not looked at the pre- post- arrangement mainly because that increases the number of boxes and wires in the AV rack which would be a deal killer. I guess I'm just surprised that there is not a way to bypass the power amp circuitry at the push of a button. As far as receivers I'm looking at: Yamaha RX-V659 or similar at a price point that is sub $500. Must have Lip Sync delay since that is the primary problem that I want to correct for myself so Pioneer is out. If there is a device that performs the A/V switching and has a customizable audio delay per input and is remote controlled that would also work but is not nearly is satisfying as a new receiver. Thanks for the help.

 

[Nick250]

I like Buck's uncomplicated solution of just leaving the amp on all the time.

Nick

 

[MDS]

If you have three devices connected directly to the TV you have to switch the inputs on the TV for each device. If you have all the devices going to a switch box you have to switch the inputs on the switcher. If you have all the devices connected to a receiver you have to change the input on the receiver...so what exactly is the issue? No matter what you have to switch something somewhere.

I personally don't understand why anyone would want to use the tv speakers for anything ever, but the question does come up a lot so to each his own.

I'd bet anything the reason she wants to use the tv only is because she thinks the receiver is too complicated (no way its because she prefers the sound of the tv speakers). I would get a new receiver with the appropriate number of component inputs and a universal remote. You can program the remote to allow one button press to turn everything on and one button press to change devices. Can't get any simpler than that and the wife can always turn down the volume on the receiver.

 

[Sn1ck3rz]

The struggle between function and aesthetics

I'll adress the points made:

1. Always on at low level.

This works for me if the unit doesn't generate perceptable amounts of heat. Not sure why it bothers my wife so much but she doesn't want the receiver to generate much heat when she is using it because she thinks it's damaging her expensive piece of furniture (the A/V rack) or it's eating too much juice.

2. Various cable configurations described and the point that it's all the same.

From a functional and operational standpoint this is true somewhat. However from an aesthetic standpoint (aka the wifes perspective) this is not the same because she can see a ton of wires running to the television and she doesn't like that. The current configuration with the passive A/V selector sitting on top of my receiver allows me to keep the wire runs short and have a single input cluster used on my TV. Part of getting the new receiver is allowing the single connection from the receiver to the TV so there is not fiddling with the input selectors on the television.

3. Wife should suck it up because she has to agree that the sound from the audio system beats the crappy TV speakers.

She agrees it sounds better but still will never opt for the sound system when using it just for her because of the heat/energy issues and because she doesn't care for the additional quality when she's watching her crappy television shows or playing her simple games. I have caught her turning it on if she runs a DVD that has appreciable audio elements (action/horror) but she could care less in just about any other situation.

It sounds to me so far that there is no way to determine if I can get the A/V switching function w/o having to run the power amps and generate heat. I will probably wind up lying and just taking my chances with the concept that the receiver will not generate heat if the master volume level is kept low. This should work as long as there is an audio out to my television that is part of the consolidated output and is not affected by the master volume control of the receiver (like a pre-out I guess?). Thanks gain for all the advice.

 

[MDS]

If there is adequate space around the receiver it won't get very hot (at least mine doesn't).

Most receivers do include audio outs that could be fed to the TV but the catch is that the receiver will not convert digital to analog so if the dvd player is connected digitally the receiver will not output that signal through the audio outs. I suppose if you use all analog connections to the receiver and mute or turn down the receiver volume that solution may work when you just want to use the tv and its speakers.

 

[davo]

Wktish, Wktish!! (just kidding)

Just tell your wife the magnetic radiation from the tv speakers is doing much more damage to the furniture than any mild heat from the amp could possibly do. I know, I know, its nothing but snake oil, but you tell me an easier way!!

 

[ruadmaa]

Sounds Like You Are Looking For A DIGITAL receiver

I can't seem to find any information on how to determine if an A/V receiver has the ability to be used just for the remote controlled input switching w/o running the amps. My wife rarely wants to have the amp on when she is using it just for her but would appreciate not having to get up and push the buttons on my passive A/V selector device. I want to upgrade to a receiver that can handle all of my inputs so I can chuck the A/V selector but the wife doesn't want the heat and added energy drain of the A/V receiver when she only needs the regular audio output from our television.

From the criteria you have listed in your later posts you want to go to the new Panasonic digital receivers such as the XR-57. They are small, lightweight (less than 10 pounds), have all the switching (HDMI etc.)and power (100 watts X 7) you will need and run as COOL as a cucumber. Audio quality is as good as any.

I did a direct side by side comparison to my Yamaha RX-V1400 for several weeks and found absolutely no difference in sound quality between the two (actually I used a Panny XR-55 which is virtually the same as the XR-57 with less switching).