Will any 7.1 reciever, also play just Dolby 5.1?

[MikDee]

Will any 7.1 reciever, also play just Dolby 5.1?

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As I probably will never use 7.1 surround (due to not wanting to add any extra speakers then whats needed for, Dolby 5.1, or possibly 6.1), can I get any new 7.1 reciever to play this format normally? Or, must I look for a specific older design 5.1, or 6.1 reciever?

Also, I prefer not to give up my turntable, or my Kenwood dedicated, dual auto reverse, remote tape dack. I presently have a Kenwood 8020 first generation, Dolby Pro Logic reciever, that works fine, and projects dialouge clearer then most, but is limited in this old Dolby format. Thinking about getting a newer Kenwood 9070 7.1 reciever, because it still has phono inputs, & it may still remote control my tape deck

 

[Giuseppe]

Well I have an Harman Kardon AVR 7300 and it plays so many different audio setups that I can't even remember. There is 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, each has a music or cinema style and a lot more. So I am pretty sure most receivers will play 5.1 sound.

 

[supervij]

Absolutely. Any 6.1 or 7.1 receiver will play 5.1 material just fine.

cheers,
supervij

 

[audio ninja]

You can definitely use a receiver that's advertised as 7.1 to play 5.1 material. When you set up your receiver, you will reach a menu that allows you to select each speaker that the receiver can utilize and determine if it's large, small, or none. None...as in...it doesn't exist.. When you get to the rear surrounds, just select "none". By doing this, your receiver will only send signals to the front left/right, center, and left/right surround speakers.

 

[MikDee]

Thanks All, Most of my use will be new, or rented, Dolby 5.1 surround DVD movies, or Videotapes,,, next, would be the latest audio CD's, occassionally I play my small cassette, or record collection, but on the latter, only stereo playback is also acceptible. I am setup for Dolby 5.1, but can also add an extra rear sub in the future for 6.1 surround, as long as I have those options available to me with the newer recievers.

By the way, I am an Action, Adventure, Horror, Sci Fi, & Comedy movie Buff