Pre-Out Question

[Alex2507]

Am I to understand that using the left and right pre-outs on my H/K AVR430 will still allow me to use the receivers cross overs, channel level adjustments and delay adjustments? Seems like it should work just like using the sub pre-out but just thought I'd check.

Another question that I have amplifying just the L&R is if it would affect the timing in 5.1 system where the other 3 channels are amplified by the rec'r. Once again it seems that I shouldn't have a problem, just like I don't have a problem with the sub not being amplified by the rec'r.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[Adam]

Alex,

I haven't looked at your specific owners manual, but here's what I'm used to:

1. Yes, all of the processing done by your receiver will be applied to the signals that get sent out the pre-out jacks. The only difference is that the amplification will be done by an external amp instead of the internal amps.

2. You'd want to set the system up again once you put an external amp into your system. For me, the level adjustments changed very slightly when I put in my amps. If you have an auto set-up feature, then it's just that much easier.

Adam

 

[Alex2507]

If you have an auto set-up feature, then it's just that much easier.

Adam

On my H/K AVR 430 the auto set up (EzSet) is very ball park. IMO it should only be used until you can get one of these:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103668&cp=&sr=1&origkw=sound+level+meter&kw=sound+level+meter&parentPage=search

I hooked up the 2 channel amp yesterday.
Pre-outs > EQ/RTA > Amp
DD 5.1 gets amplified just fine. What's odd is that my RTA doesn't show a reading. I didn't play around with it much due to the GF wanting to watch Lost. I consider myself lucky that she tolerates the gear.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, every amp has its own voltage gain (15dB, 17dB, 20dB, etc.).

So if your HK has a gain of 17dB and your external amp has a gain of 20dB, then the speakers hooked up to the ext amp will sound louder if all the speakers are set by the HK to have the same speaker level (like -1dB, 0dB, +1dB, etc.).

Like Adam says, as long as you use your HK to set up all speakers (hooked up to both HK + Ext Amp) and level matched with a SPL meter, then the FINAL speaker levels will all be matched even though the speaker levels for the Ext Amp may be different.

For example, the Ext Amp speakers may have levels of -2dB, while the HK speakers may have levels of 0dB if the voltage gain on the Ext Amp is Higher than the HKs.