Pre-Amp or New receiver?

I have my receiver Marantz SR5001 up for sale because it lacks the juice for my setup.
However, I thought just came to my mind that instead of buying a new receiver maybe I can use a pre-amp and reduce the load on the receiver.

I don't know much on this subject. If anybody has knowledge if yhis can be done then I am all ears!!

How is the pre-amp connected to the receiver?

Thanks.

A preamp is not going to reduce the load on your receiver!!!
What you want is a power amp. That can be connected if your receiver has Preamp Outputs.

Hi,

Sumit Am very sorry to say,but that will not make sense nor is it practical to do it ! especially with the said AVR !! So just forget about this and either use or sell as originally planned !!

The reason is simple !

1.An AVR cannot be used as pre-amp in most cases since lacks the necessary outputs for it ! though the multichannel in is present !
2. There is absolutely no sense in making an AVR power amp and use a separate Pre for obvious reasons !
3. Also by not using the pre part of the AVR things are no way be better ! I honestly don't know from where or who you got that idea !

So what I'd say is the above or one more option for you ! The AVR (your 5001) has the multichannel pre-out so instead of buying a new AVR you can buy a power amp from a decent brand and use it to power the speakers and control it using the existing AVR !!

Hope this solves your dilemma !!

Regards.

Soundsgreat, I'm a bit confused.
You say: "An AVR cannot be used as pre-amp in most cases since lacks the necessary outputs for it "

Then you say:
"The AVR (your 5001) has the multichannel pre-out so instead of buying a new AVR you can buy a power amp from a decent brand and use it to power the speakers and control it using the existing AVR !!"

If it has pre-outs he can very easily connect power amps and solve his "juice" problem. Can he not? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Hi,

Yes Awedeophile what meant is most (Means not all) of the AVR's don't have the necessary preouts for Ex Yamaha 361,461, Marantz 301,3001,Denon 1508,1708 etc etc I can go on !! Hence the statement !!

Now the reason I suggested him to use it as pre is coz the above statement is not applicable to him as the AVR does have the needed outputs (does not belong to the above said "most" category) ! Yes so he can connect the power amp solve the said problem/issue !!

Hope I've made myself clear !! so if still Am wrong please correct me !!

Regards.

Hi Sumit,
Generally speaking an AV receiver can be used as a pre(means u connect it to a power amp) OR as a power amp(means u connect a preamp and just use the power of ur AVR).
You mention it lacks the JUICE for ur set up. In that case by connecting a preamp to it you are still going to get the same power(JUICE) output so this exercise is futile.
Please cut your losses and sell this receiver and buy a bigger receiver.
BTW what speakers have u got? Also a processor+multi channel power amp will be much more expensive than a budget AVR.
Regards

hi sumit,

by using the pre out u can use another power amp but doing that you are converting your multi channel system into two channels !!!!! its better buy better avr................. pls check the site before you buy another avr !!!!!! save your money and invest in a future proof avr !!

Home Theater: HT Guide To AVR Features



regards

Thank you all for the valuable suggestions. After reading the various suggestions,here are my thoughts:

1.Pre-amp doesn't make sense.
2.Power amp can be connected but then I would be converting my multichannel into two channel. If this is true then I don't need it as I have a dedicated 7.1 HT.
3. I think I will go for a new AVR. I am not going for a budget AVR. I already have a budget AVR, Marantz SR5001 90W/ch which is practically new. I want a powerful AVR which is gr8 for movies.

I am now looking at Marantz SR7002, Denon 2808, NAD T765 and Onkyo 805.
I don't think onkyo 875 is worth for me as it has gr8 video upscaler (Reon) which I don't need. So for 10W/ch more, i don't think it makes sense for added cost.
Please let me know your suggestions. If there is any other make or model please mention the same.

Please suggest me an AVR with following criteria in mind:

I watch 80% movies and rest music. Shd be powerful.
I have specific needs
I Need a HDMI1.3a.
I Don't need video upscaler. I just need a HDMI switch which can pass 1080p.
Shd have depth for movies.
Shd have OSD through HDMI.

My Gear:
Marantz DVD Player upscaler to 720p DV4001
Marantz AVR Sr5001
PSB Image T55
PSB C60 Center
Mordaunt Short Bipolars
Crystal Audio THX selct Active sub with 12" driver
Mitsubishi HC1500 720p projector.

Thanks.

Sumit:

I just looked up the specs of the 5001 and it seems to be a very decent amplifier. So before you rush to sell it off, see if you can do the following.

Your AVR has 90x7 watts or a total of 630 watts. Generally, this means 90 watts per channel ALL channels driven. Unless you have extremely high resistance speakers, this should suffice for a room of about 2000 odd cubic feet.

One easy way to alleviate this problem is to buy a two channel power amp or even an integrated amp that has say 100 watts per channel. Use the per out capabilities of the AVR to drive this amp to just the front right and left speakers. In your AVR set the front left and right speaker as 'not present'.

What you now have is your AVR's 630 watts driving just 5 speakers or roughly 126 watts per channel. Plus you have an additional 200 watts driving just the front speakers. The front speakers generally have the max load, and this way you have dedicated amp for them. Marantz two channels amps are good and will match with the AVR.

You can also use the two channel amp for stereo music separately by connecting to a good CD Player.

If you are in touch with a good dealer, you can get a demo amp from him and try this out on your system before throwing your AVR away.

Best wishes.

Hi,

Well Dinyaar thats why I also suggested him not to go for that option !! thats also the reason for me to say the point 2 in my original post ! As we all know most of the entry-level and little above it will not have any great power ! so having that as power is waste ! not to mention the cost of suitable pre or in this case a processor ! even an entry level processor will cost almost twice as the original receiver that is intended to be used as power amp !! so with all these constrains,drawbacks,negatives it simply does not make sense to use a AVR as power !!

Now coming to RB9's comment !

With all due respect to you !! where on earth did you that idea or impression from ???, you are absolutely wrong and there's no truth in that statement !!

Regards.