Phono PreAmp as ZoneB Amp

AudioAnn

AudioAnn

Enthusiast
Greetings, AudioHol-ings :cool:

I am a new/1st-Time owner of a "modern" A/V receiver ...
I now have a 5.2 receiver and would like to access the "ZoneB" functionality ...

I am looking at Phono PreAmps ~
which I would connect to (some of) the now unused PC-Speakers I have ...
I would use an RCA(dual male)-to-Stereo(female) adapter ...

Anyway, Phono PreAmps have a "GROUND" connector ...
Would the above configuration necessitate "GROUNDING" ???
If so, how ???
TiA
Æ
 
Last edited:
Swerd

Swerd

Audioholic Warlord
Welcome to Audioholics :).
I am a new/1st-Time owner of a "modern" A/V receiver ...
I now have a 5.2 receiver and would like to access the "ZoneB" functionality ...

I am looking at Phono PreAmps ~
which I would connect to (some of) the now unused PC-Speakers I have ...
I would use an RCA(dual male)-to-Stereo(female) adapter ...
If I understand you correctly, you wish to attach a phono preamp to the Zone B output jacks on a AV receiver. And you plan on attaching PC speakers to the phono preamp. Correct? Are these PC speakers self-powered?

On most AV receivers, using Zone B outputs require a separate 2-channel amplifier with enough power to drive the speakers for Zone B. Because you plan on using self-powered speakers for Zone B, you should be able to directly hook up your self-powered PC speakers to the Zone B output jacks on your AV receiver. (I am assuming your PC speakers accept RCA type plugs to allow a direct connection. If not, it should be a simple matter to find an appropriate converter plug, or cable with RCA plugs on one end and something appropriate for your PC speakers on the other end.)

A phono preamp cannot work for this, as it is not at all the same as an amp or a preamp. They are meant only to equalize the output from a phonograph pick up, and amplify it's signal from a very low level of ~3-5 mV, to ~100-150 mV, similar to the analog output level from most other audio sound sources that might be connected to a receiver. The voltage level of most Zone B outputs are about the same level as a preamp, roughly 1 Volt, much higher than the output from a phono preamp.
 
Last edited:
AudioAnn

AudioAnn

Enthusiast
Welcome to Audioholics :).
Because you plan on using self-powered speakers for Zone B, you should be able to directly hook up
your self-powered PC speakers to the Zone B output jacks on your AV receiver.
 
Swerd

Swerd

Audioholic Warlord
If your speakers accept RCA plugs, any 2-channel cable with RCA plugs will do.

If your speakers accept a 3.5 mm stereo plug, one of these inexpensive cables should do:
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Next/New question ...
What about something like the products discussed @ the following link:???

Remote Control Line Level Volume Control
I would (eventually) like to (be able to) control
the ZoneB volume by a remote control ...

The avr's remote should be able to control the zone for power and volume....or do you need an second remote? Then you can usually buy another of the avr's remote or use a universal remote.
 
AudioAnn

AudioAnn

Enthusiast
The avr's remote should be able to control the zone for power and volume....
or do you need an second remote?
Then you can usually buy another of the avr's remote or use a universal remote.
Thanx; however ...
unfortunately the AVR volume± does NOT change the ZoneB level/s ... AT ALL ...
(except that MUTE does cut the ZoneB signal as well ...)

So, seemingly I could acquire one of those "RCLLVC-items" @ that link I posted
which come with their own/separate remotes ...???
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
Greetings, AudioHol-ings :cool:

I am a new/1st-Time owner of a "modern" A/V receiver ...
I now have a 5.2 receiver and would like to access the "ZoneB" functionality ...

I am looking at Phono PreAmps ~
which I would connect to (some of) the now unused PC-Speakers I have ...
I would use an RCA(dual male)-to-Stereo(female) adapter ...

Anyway, Phono PreAmps have a "GROUND" connector ...
Would the above configuration necessitate "GROUNDING" ???
If so, how ???
TiA
Æ
Greetings, AudioHol-ings :cool:

I am a new/1st-Time owner of a "modern" A/V receiver ...
I now have a 5.2 receiver and would like to access the "ZoneB" functionality ...

I am looking at Phono PreAmps ~
which I would connect to (some of) the now unused PC-Speakers I have ...
I would use an RCA(dual male)-to-Stereo(female) adapter ...

Anyway, Phono PreAmps have a "GROUND" connector ...
Would the above configuration necessitate "GROUNDING" ???
If so, how ???
TiA
Æ
Phono preamps are for connecting turntables to a line level input, that is their only application, NOTHING else.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Thanx; however ...
unfortunately the AVR volume± does NOT change the ZoneB level/s ... AT ALL ...
(except that MUTE does cut the ZoneB signal as well ...)

So, seemingly I could acquire one of those "RCLLVC-items" @ that link I posted
which come with their own/separate remotes ...???
What avr do you have? The main volume is separate, that's what a zone is, a separate entity for on/off and volume control and content. Usually you have to enable the remote to work on the main zone or zone 2, 3, etc...
 
AudioAnn

AudioAnn

Enthusiast
What avr do you have?
The main volume is separate, that's what a zone is,
a separate entity for on/off and volume control and content.
Usually you have to enable the remote to work on the main zone or zone 2, 3, etc...
I have an Onkyo TXSR393 ...
Here's a link to the UserGuide:
TX-SR393_En

I would like to be "incorrect" about this; however,
the AVR only toggles through A, B, or A+B
AND NEVER changes the ZoneB volume :(

So, seemingly I could acquire one of those "RCLLVC-items" @ that link I posted
which come with their own/separate remotes ...???
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
I have an Onkyo TXSR393 ...
Here's a link to the UserGuide:
TX-SR393_En

I would like to be "incorrect" about this; however,
the AVR only toggles through A, B, or A+B
AND NEVER changes the ZoneB volume :(

So, seemingly I could acquire one of those "RCLLVC-items" @ that link I posted
which come with their own/separate remotes ...???
I was wondering why they used "B" instead of a number which is more the usual designation for zones....this isn't a usual zone implementation in that it appears zone B requires a separate pre-amp/amp (and you would control volume that way, via the separate pre-amp/amp combo). This is a very poor implementation of zones in avrs. Is that why you thought a phono stage might work? Very limited use of Zone B in this avr....
 
Swerd

Swerd

Audioholic Warlord
Next/New question ...
What about something like the products discussed @ the following link:???

Remote Control Line Level Volume Control
I would (eventually) like to (be able to) control
the ZoneB volume by a remote control ...
Is your Onkyo AVR in one room and your Zone B in a different room? Most remote controls communicate by infrared (IR) light that require the AVR be within line-of-sight to the remote. There are remote control extenders that allow you to convert your IR remote control to longer range radio frequency (RF), such as I linked below. They are said to allow you to control AV components located behind closed doors, in separate rooms, floors, or other areas up to 325 feet away. I haven't used any of these remote control extenders, so I don't know if they really work as promised:
 
Last edited:
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Is your Onkyo AVR in one room and your Zone B in a different room? Most remote controls communicate by infrared (IR) light that require the AVR be within line-of-sight to the remote. There are remote control extenders that allow you to convert your IR remote control to longer range radio frequency (RF), such as I linked below. They are said to allow you to control AV components located behind closed doors, in separate rooms, floors, or other areas up to 325 feet away. I haven't used any of these remote control extenders, so I don't know if they really work as promised:
It would only benefit on/off of signal if within range of the avr in this case as the zone relies on a separate pre-amp/amp setup, so to control that separate pre-amp/amp the remote would need to work with them for on/off and volume control of those units....
 
AudioAnn

AudioAnn

Enthusiast
Thanx ... for the input ...
For now, no, the ZoneB speakers just expand my 5.2
to an 8.2 (and/or 10.2!!!) ... in the same room ...
However, I CANNOT control/adjust the volume of the ZoneB speakers by remote :rolleyes:

Can we talk about the following ~
What about something like the products discussed @ the following link:???

Remote Control Line Level Volume Control
I would (eventually) like to (be able to) control
the ZoneB volume by a remote control ...

 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Using the zone will not make your system any more than 5.1 as that is the limit of your avr's processing.....and to control zone B you will first have to decide on a pre-amp/amp combo to control before considering what remote may work or not....
 
AudioAnn

AudioAnn

Enthusiast
Using the zone will not make your system any more than 5.1 as that is the limit of your avr's processing.....
and to control zone B you will first have to decide on a pre-amp/amp combo
to control before considering what remote may work or not....
Uh, seems to me the above is incorrect ...
My Onkyo is 5.2 ...
Adding ZoneB speakers does NOT switch any output away from the 5.2 output ...
Adding ZoneB speakers ADDs as output whatever I connect ...
So, if/when I run 3 or 5 PC speakers on ZoneB, that ADDS 3 or 5 to the 5.2;
thus, 8.2 or 10.2 ...
My Onkyo, however, only does "SpecialEffects" audio output when only ZoneA is selected/functioning ...

AND/ANYWAY ...
those RCLLVC items come with their own remote,
so, I could control the volume with remotes by using
the Onkyo remote on the ZoneA speakers & the RCLLVC remote on the ZoneB speakers ...

Please review the items at that RCLLVC link I have (repeatedly) provided :rolleyes:
Thanx;)
 
Last edited:
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
The avr only processes 5.1 audio....the ".2" refers to it having two identical sub pre-outs, as the LFE channel is mono. While some ".2" avrs do have separately adjustable level/delay for two subs, but yours is not one of those either.

Your avr manual also indicates zone B only works in stereo/2ch mode in any case when using A+B zone mode....per page 43 of the online manual (https://www.onkyousa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/TX-SR393_En.pdf) :

If "ZONE A+B" is selected as an audio output destination, you can select only the "Stereo" listening mode for the main room (ZONE A) when using the 2.1ch speaker layout. When using a speaker layout of 3.1ch or more, you can select only the "AllCh Stereo" listening mode

Thus, you cant even achieve surround processing when using A+B at all, just a mess of a bunch of L/R stereo played thru multiple speakers.

I have no interest in the RCLLVC/remote.
 
AudioAnn

AudioAnn

Enthusiast
The avr only processes 5.1 audio....the ".2" refers to it having two identical sub pre-outs,
as the LFE channel is mono. While some ".2" avrs do have separately adjustable level/delay
for two subs, but yours is not one of those either.

Your avr manual also indicates zone B only works in stereo/2ch mode in any case
when using A+B zone mode....per page 43 of the online manual

Thus, you cant even achieve surround processing when using A+B at all,
just a mess of a bunch of L/R stereo played thru multiple speakers.
I already acknowledged all of the above in my previous post ...
I'm fine with a
"mess of a bunch of L/R stereo played thru multiple speakers."

I have no interest in the RCLLVC/remote.
Uh, fine ...
I started this thread about MY interests ...

I am asking (other) ForumMembers
to please review the items at that RCLLVC link
I have (repeatedly) provided :rolleyes:
Thanx ;)
 
Last edited:
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
I already acknowledged all of the above in my previous post ...
I'm fine with a
"mess of a bunch of L/R stereo played thru multiple speakers."


Uh, fine ...
I started this thread about MY interests ...

I am asking (other) ForumMembers
to please review the items at that RCLLVC link
I have (repeatedly) provided :rolleyes:
Thanx ;)



.

Maybe its the annoying font size and color that gets to me. How about you describe what it is at the end of the link and how you plan to implement it? After the unexplained interest in a phono stage I'm just a little reticent to dig further without more from you. Good luck, tho.
 

Latest posts

newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis
Top