What receiver for stereo + surround...

[Krist]

I want to connect both a pair of big floor standing speakers, and 7.1 sat + sub set to an AV receiver. I haven't picked the receiver yet.
My wish is that music will be played over the big stereo speakers, and movies over the 7.1 sat/sub set.

I've thought of several ways I could do this.

One way would be to connect a power amp to the L/R pre outs on the receiver. But I'm not to sure how that works. Can I tell the receiver to completely mute its internal amps in one mode, and mute the pre outs in another? Which AV receivers can be configured this way?

Alternatively, which receivers have true A/B binding posts on the L/R amp sections? (like most stereo receivers have)

 

[markw]

Alternatively, which receivers have true A/B binding posts on the L/R amp sections? (like most stereo receivers have)

Many. It's easier to ask which don't, but you can find out for yourself just by looking at the spec sheet.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I want to connect both a pair of big floor standing speakers, and 7.1 sat + sub set to an AV receiver. I haven't picked the receiver yet.
My wish is that music will be played over the big stereo speakers, and movies over the 7.1 sat/sub set.

I've thought of several ways I could do this.

One way would be to connect a power amp to the L/R pre outs on the receiver. But I'm not to sure how that works. Can I tell the receiver to completely mute its internal amps in one mode, and mute the pre outs in another? Which AV receivers can be configured this way?

Alternatively, which receivers have true A/B binding posts on the L/R amp sections? (like most stereo receivers have)

I think best way is to find receiver with pre-out for zone 2. Connect the amp and then speakers to zone 2 pre-amps and you should be fine

 

[avnetguy]

I think best way is to find receiver with pre-out for zone 2. Connect the amp and then speakers to zone 2 pre-amps and you should be fine

Using a second zone was my first thought as well but don't many (all?) receivers limit your audio input selection for zone 2 output? This maybe a limitation you don't want to live with.

Steve

 

[markw]

I believer you are correct

Using a second zone was my first thought as well but don't many (all?) receivers limit your audio input selection for zone 2 output? This maybe a limitation you don't want to live with.

Steve

AFAICT, zone two is limited to analog sources only which is why I focused on the A/B option. Of course, I could always be wrong. Check the receiver's specs carefully before commiting.

 

[Krist]

AFAICT, zone two is limited to analog sources only which is why I focused on the A/B option. Of course, I could always be wrong. Check the receiver's specs carefully before commiting.

Indeed. I want to use the "B" set for listening to stereo, so it needs to get the best signal path, which zone 2 often doesn't get.

I've looked at Denon -> there you can use the "AMP Assign" outputs for B speakers, but then you don't have surround back,
Onkyo: Zone 2 can be used, but this again makes you lose surround back.
So the two big brands already disqualify...

Nad has wat I want: A second set of speakers, and a A/B switch on the front.
Pioneer has an interesting feature. You can have full 7.1, or 5.1 plus a second set of stereo speakers...

I can't seem to find manuals for Yamaha though.

I've actually been looking at Emotiva now. With their flexible trigger outputs I could maybe just use a trigger controlled A/B speaker switch...