Power Amp balanced/unbalanced switch question

[ciotime]

Need some advise. I currently have the X3700H and using the Buckeye MP NC252 as the external amp to power the front speakers. I'm planning to get another set of branded power amp with both Balanced/Unbalanced inputs. My question is can I hookup a preamp to the branded power amp via the XLR input at the same time with the branded amp hooked up to the X3700Hs FL/FR preout via RCA inputs? My plan is when using the X3700H to watch movies the preamp is turned off power amp set to unbalanced but when listening to music the Denon is off preamp on with power amp set to balanced. Just wanted to know if I could use the external power amp for both purposes without having to disconnect/connect it. Since we're on the topic do you think it'll be overkill if I'd want to get a used Mcintosh or Bryston 2ch amp? Thanks.

 

[lovinthehd]

Get more speakers? Why mix systems? What does McIntosh or Bryston particularly have to do with anything?

 

[ciotime]

Get more speakers? Why mix systems? What does McIntosh or Bryston particularly have to do with anything?

Its the main reason why I'm asking so that I don't need to get a different set of speakers. Wanna be able to stream music without having to use the Denon but still use the power amp. Since the power amp has both XLR and RCA could I possibly use both inputs and just switch between XLR/RCA? I mentioned McIntosh or Bryston for the 2 ch power amp coz it so happens someone is selling his used amp for less than $3000 and these goes for 2X-3X the price.

 

[lovinthehd]

Why those brands particularly, tho? You got an amp, what's the goal, using the 3700 only as pre-amp?

 

[lovinthehd]

Its the main reason why I'm asking so that I don't need to get a different set of speakers. Wanna be able to stream music without having to use the Denon but still use the power amp. Since the power amp has both XLR and RCA could I possibly use both inputs and just switch between XLR/RCA? I mentioned McIntosh or Bryston for the 2 ch power amp coz it so happens someone is selling his used amp for less than $3000.

The speakers are what matters, not the amp particularly....let alone how you stream. I wouldn't use both inputs without a switch. I'm getting lost on what you're imagining overall. $3000 for an amp when you have a perfectly great amp? Why? Spend this much time and energy on different speakers or room perhaps....but the electronics you already have are solid.

 

[ciotime]

Why those brands particularly, tho? You got an amp, what's the goal, using the 3700 only as pre-amp?

My goal if possible is to have 2 separate systems/sources ( movies and music ) but using the same power amp. Basically have 2 different sources. I would still be using all of the Denon's amps for movie watching just not for music listening. The Denon for movies and the Cambridge Audio for music. To make it easier the X3700H in my setup for movies is 7.2.4. Since the Denon is only capable of powering 9 ch one would still need a 2 ch external amp. Thus the need for a 2 ch amp. Since the 2 ch amp is already in the equation my point is can I use that 2 ch amp to ALSO power another preamp/streamer just for music?

 

[lovinthehd]

I guess I just don't understand the need for different power amps let alone streamer/dac setup. Too much gear for no real differences. Amps don't power upstream devices, only speakers. Connecting multiple devices to a power amp I'd use a switch if I lost my mind enough to do something like that. Good luck, tho!

 

[ciotime]

I guess I just don't understand the need for different power amps let alone streamer/dac setup. Too much gear for no real differences. Amps don't power upstream devices, only speakers. Connecting multiple devices to a power amp I'd use a switch if I lost my mind enough to do something like that. Good luck, tho!

Thanks for the advice. My thinking and I could be wrong is that the X3700H is rated at 8 ohm, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.08% 2ch Driven105-Watts and we all know that Denon doesn't indicate how much wattage is when ALL channels driven. Almost everyone say's that its not really 105W but well below that. Isn't that the main reason why the one's who opt to get a dedicated power amp is to have the TRUE wattage needed to drive speakers as well as have headroom? It's also the reason why I decided to externally power the fronts ( other option is the Height ch ) coz they are the most important speakers in the system and if I do use the Denon's amp I don't think they actually give out 105W right?
Now the reason for the audio streamer/preamp is mainly for music. I know Denon has the Heos app but I would assume that the Cambridge Audio would be better suited to do this. With that being said the Cambridge Audio would need a power amp. Since I wanna use the same speakers I'm using for movies to listen to music the other option would be to get ANOTHER 2 ch power amp that would take the signal from the preamp to drive the speakers. Thus my question if its possible to use the 2ch external amp that already powers the 2 fronts for movies to be also used for the Cambridge Audio preamp.

 

[Leemix]

The manuals i have read that have balanced/unbalanced switches say not to use them for source selection purposes, i guess maybe because they arent made sturdy enough for frequent daily use or they dont physically disconnect inputs fully. That doesnt mean there arent some out there that has no problem with this.

You can use a pre amplifier with home theater bypass to connect the AVR to and the signal should just go through to the power amp without being messed with when in the HT bypass mode.


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[Pogre]

I think you're planning to spend a lot of money on things that won't offer any audible improvements. You need to switch gears and focus on speakers and subs.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for the advice. My thinking and I could be wrong is that the X3700H is rated at 8 ohm, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.08% 2ch Driven105-Watts and we all know that Denon doesn't indicate how much wattage is when ALL channels driven. Almost everyone say's that its not really 105W but well below that. Isn't that the main reason why the one's who opt to get a dedicated power amp is to have the TRUE wattage needed to drive speakers as well as have headroom? It's also the reason why I decided to externally power the fronts ( other option is the Height ch ) coz they are the most important speakers in the system and if I do use the Denon's amp I don't think they actually give out 105W right?
Now the reason for the audio streamer/preamp is mainly for music. I know Denon has the Heos app but I would assume that the Cambridge Audio would be better suited to do this. With that being said the Cambridge Audio would need a power amp. Since I wanna use the same speakers I'm using for movies to listen to music the other option would be to get ANOTHER 2 ch power amp that would take the signal from the preamp to drive the speakers. Thus my question if its possible to use the 2ch external amp that already powers the 2 fronts for movies to be also used for the Cambridge Audio preamp.

All the Denons I've seen measured live up to their own ratings. Some can exceed it a fair bit. The all channels driven thing isn't very important, it's not a real world thing for the most part. Have you used an spl calculator to estimate your power needs? Your external amp is going to give you 3dB more headroom than the Denon provides. If you have very low impedance speakers the external amp may have some advantage there as well. I'm not saying particularly to not use the external amp, but use it with the Denon for whatever source. I have no idea why Cambridge Audio would be better suited as you put it, can you explain that?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If you have great speakers which you like listening to music on, these will do just fine for Home Theater.
If you don't like the surround effect for music, then just switch the mode on your Denon avr.
I'll join all above telling you to stop overspending on electronics/amps. Speakers and Room make up to 98% of sound quality, electronics only up to 2%.

 

[highfigh]

Its the main reason why I'm asking so that I don't need to get a different set of speakers. Wanna be able to stream music without having to use the Denon but still use the power amp. Since the power amp has both XLR and RCA could I possibly use both inputs and just switch between XLR/RCA? I mentioned McIntosh or Bryston for the 2 ch power amp coz it so happens someone is selling his used amp for less than $3000 and these goes for 2X-3X the price.

It's not made to be a source switcher, it's to allow isolating the unused inputs to prevent noise interference. An un-terminated input acts like an antenna.

 

[Leemix]

Electronics may not be the biggest part in defining the sound but its still important. The difference can easily be enjoying your system and using it every day compared to not bothering. Only you(the OP) know what it is you want and enjoy.
Getting a nice amp to make sure you speakers play as best they can isnt a bad idea, sure it costs, but speakers and AVRs can be replaced later if needed and you would still have the nice amp.


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[lovinthehd]

Electronics may not be the biggest part in defining the sound but its still important. The difference can easily be enjoying your system and using it every day compared to not bothering. Only you(the OP) know what it is you want and enjoy.
Getting a nice amp to make sure you speakers play as best they can isnt a bad idea, sure it costs, but speakers and AVRs can be replaced later if needed and you would still have the nice amp.


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He has no point of reference to judge one piece vs another so far....how do you pick out a difference you prefer over the internet with the thousands of possibilities of combos?

 

[Leemix]

He has no point of reference to judge one piece vs another so far....how do you pick out a difference you prefer over the internet with the thousands of possibilities of combos?

Thats where trying different things come in.
Im not saying he needs to buy an amp or other things, just that if he wants to its ok. If he enjoys his system as is and use it a lot then hopefully he can resist the upgrade itch.


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[lovinthehd]

Thats where trying different things come in.
Im not saying he needs to buy an amp or other things, just that if he wants to its ok. If he enjoys his system as is and use it a lot then hopefully he can resist the upgrade itch.


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Well of course its okay if he wants to buy something. I'm just saying try the basic gear out first, its likely fine as is. That's my general experience in any case. So much hype about audio in reading audio rags/blogs and audiophilia driven fora/groups....

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Seems like a lot of hair splitting for nothing in return. Balanced connections won’t do diddly for short runs. And why not run the theater with the same high quality amps? Only music benefits from quality amplification?

 

[ciotime]

I've just realized that I can just connect the Cambridge Audio to the Denon and the Denon will see it as a source. Denon will act as some sort of a switcher. The CA will be connected via Toslink.

 

[ciotime]

Electronics may not be the biggest part in defining the sound but its still important. The difference can easily be enjoying your system and using it every day compared to not bothering. Only you(the OP) know what it is you want and enjoy.
Getting a nice amp to make sure you speakers play as best they can isnt a bad idea, sure it costs, but speakers and AVRs can be replaced later if needed and you would still have the nice amp.


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My thought's as well. Speakers and Amps are some sort of an investment where you can keep them for many many years unlike AVR's which keep getting upgraded all the time.