Denon 1612 & 7.1 Surround System

[anujmishra]

I recently purchased Denon 1612 with Heco speakers. Yet to buy subwoofer.

I was reading manual given by Denon in CD yesterday and came to know that Denon 1612 actually supports 7.1 channel. Where 2 surround channels are non-powered only pre-out provided from receiver. These two co-axials are along with Subwoofer Out. Separate power amp is needed to connect two more surround speakers.

My question is I'm bowled over specification of ta2020 VFM amps from ebay and planning to get one for me as well.

Can I use ta2020 as a power amp from pre-out of my receiver for powering two additional speakers as surround? Will it work or not? Will it be under powerd compared to receiver amp specification and would not give desired result.

Experts please provide your opinion.

 

[anujmishra]

Common 63 view and no reply? Look like experts are not browsing Receivers sub-forum. :sad:

 

[baijuxavior]

Can I use ta2020 as a power amp from pre-out of my receiver for powering two additional speakers as surround? Will it work or not? Will it be under powerd compared to receiver amp specification and would not give desired result.

You can use the surround pre-out to make your Denon 1612 a 7.1 amp. Just add a stereo amp and a pair of matching speakers. The TA2020 amp will do the work. Also SQ may not be a problem since it is used for surround purpose.

 

[anujmishra]

You can use the surround pre-out to make your Denon 1612 a 7.1 amp. Just add a stereo amp and a pair of matching speakers. The TA2020 amp will do the work. Also SQ may not be a problem since it is used for surround purpose.

Thanks for your reply. I just kept hold my purchasing decision of TA2020 from ebay unless I get feedback from here. However, I need one more pair of speakers for 7.1 setup.

Rated output of TA2020 is 20Watt max per channel but and lots of member swear by it as for some case it drive the Floor Standers as well.

 

[cmsajith]

From the specs it supports only 5.1 (75w x 5), please check.
If it works as you told, Instead of Lepai try Topping TA2020 (available in ebay for 70$) since several FMs have heard it and vouch for them for music and also the build quality is far better. They are 20/25w only @4ohms. But if you like them, try using it for music (using an amp selector switch for the main speakers), it will be better than the AVR. If you require, buy one more and biamp the speakers.

 

[aakashr]

You can use the surround pre-out to make your Denon 1612 a 7.1 amp. Just add a stereo amp and a pair of matching speakers. The TA2020 amp will do the work. Also SQ may not be a problem since it is used for surround purpose.

From what I understand you have a choice to either use the surrounds or front height speakers but not both. Is there any way to use both? If we can use both then I guess we can make a 5.1 into 7.1 if that is possible.

 

[baijuxavior]

The surround pre-out can be used to set the speakers in 'surround back' mode or 'front height'. Front height is used with Dolby Prologic IIz, which is not a true 7.1 sound, where as surround back mode is true 7.1. You can decide which one to use in the speaker setup wizard.

 

[anujmishra]

From the specs it supports only 5.1 (75w x 5), please check.

1612 has two pre-outs for Surround which either can be used as 'Front Height' or 'Back Surround'. Desired setup can be selected from setup.

Another thing is my surround speakers does not support bi-amping. Next option would be bridging which I am not sure whether TA2020 supports.

From what I understand you have a choice to either use the surrounds or front height speakers but not both. Is there any way to use both? If we can use both then I guess we can make a 5.1 into 7.1 if that is possible.

Either of them can be used. Not both.

The surround pre-out can be used to set the speakers in 'surround back' mode or 'front height'. Front height is used with Dolby Prologic IIz, which is not a true 7.1 sound, where as surround back mode is true 7.1. You can decide which one to use in the speaker setup wizard.

Yes correct. This we can select from setup wizard.

 

[aakashr]

1612 has two pre-outs for Surround which either can be used as 'Front Height' or 'Back Surround'. Desired setup can be selected from setup.

Another thing is my surround speakers does not support bi-amping. Next option would be bridging which I am not sure whether TA2020 supports.




Either of them can be used. Not both.



Yes correct. This we can select from setup wizard.

Let me understand this........I can add 2 more speakers to my existing 5.1 setup with another amp without disturbing my present 5.1 setup? Let's say I hook up a stereo amp and assign the speakers as front heights.........this would add 2 more speakers to my present 5.1 set up?

 

[baijuxavior]

Yes aakash. The two pre outs are for surround back or front heights to make a 7.1 setup. This option is available even in Denon 1312.

 

[cmsajith]

1612 has two pre-outs for Surround which either can be used as 'Front Height' or 'Back Surround'. Desired setup can be selected from setup.

Another thing is my surround speakers does not support bi-amping. Next option would be bridging which I am not sure whether TA2020 supports.

I am not talking about biamping the surrounds, a separate music setup than using the AVR amp with your existing Front speakers along with the surrounds duty with the help of an amp selector switch. For music, TA2020 may be better than the AVR.

 

[aakashr]

Yes aakash. The two pre outs are for surround back or front heights to make a 7.1 setup. This option is available even in Denon 1312.

I was quite curious to go ahead with Front Height speakers, but after reading the below link...........am wondering if it's really worth it.

Dolby Pro Logic IIz: Taking a second listen | Crave - CNET

from the same link:
You're not missing anything by not upgrading your home theater to Dolby Pro Logic IIz, at least in its current iteration.

>> You shouldn't avoid buying receivers that support Dolby Pro Logic IIz. It's going to be a standard feature in many mid- to high-end receivers hitting in 2009, so you're not really paying extra for IIz. While the IIz experience fell flat, the Onkyo TX-SR607 otherwise offers excellent audio performance and an impressive feature package, especially considering its $500 price.

>> Later iterations of Dolby Pro Logic IIz may create more of an aural impact, perhaps with soundtracks that are optimized to take advantage of it.

>> Take Steve Guttenberg's earlier advice: Instead of investing in a pair of height speakers, invest that money in better front left/right speakers or--if your receiver supports dual subwoofers, such as the Onkyo--a second subwoofer instead. Those upgrades will deliver sonic improvements you won't have to strain to hear.

And that's pretty much the bottom line for me on Dolby Pro Logic IIz, at least as it's currently implemented.

 

[anujmishra]

Now, got Norge 2060 from a fellow forum member for 7.1 setup mainly. One question through can I fed pre out of my Denon 1612 to Aux in of Norge 2060?

In this case there will two Pre in series. Any problem do you foresee? However, Norge amp can be modified to work only in Power Amp mode.

 

[psj]

I was quite curious to go ahead with Front Height speakers, but after reading the below link...........am wondering if it's really worth it.

Dolby Pro Logic IIz: Taking a second listen | Crave - CNET

from the same link:
You're not missing anything by not upgrading your home theater to Dolby Pro Logic IIz, at least in its current iteration.

>> You shouldn't avoid buying receivers that support Dolby Pro Logic IIz. It's going to be a standard feature in many mid- to high-end receivers hitting in 2009, so you're not really paying extra for IIz. While the IIz experience fell flat, the Onkyo TX-SR607 otherwise offers excellent audio performance and an impressive feature package, especially considering its $500 price.

>> Later iterations of Dolby Pro Logic IIz may create more of an aural impact, perhaps with soundtracks that are optimized to take advantage of it.

>> Take Steve Guttenberg's earlier advice: Instead of investing in a pair of height speakers, invest that money in better front left/right speakers or--if your receiver supports dual subwoofers, such as the Onkyo--a second subwoofer instead. Those upgrades will deliver sonic improvements you won't have to strain to hear.

And that's pretty much the bottom line for me on Dolby Pro Logic IIz, at least as it's currently implemented.

I have setup a 7.1 using 2 front high's .iam yet to hear any effects from the front high speakers,I probably have not played any material which produces sounds for front high's. I have a onkyo 609 receiver.