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Best Confiquration for High Quality Amp

post #1 of 7
6/23/09 at 2:58pm
Thread Starter 
I have a pretty good audio system.... Thiel 3.5 speakers, Threshold 500W amp and Audio Research Pre-amp. Can I use this in a 7.1 system, maybe using another 5 channel amp to drive the remaining speakers. I hate to step down from this system or spend a lot of money buying what I already have. If I buy a pre/pro component can I split the two main channels into my existing system and then so something with the rest. Is there a down side to this. If this is feasible what is the best solution for the remaining 5.1 channels.
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post #2 of 7
6/24/09 at 6:23am

Re: Best Confiquration for High Quality Amp

It depends on the Audio Research Pre-amp you own. I'm guess it's only a 2 channel pre amp. However, if you have the multi-channel pre-amp with 6 channel inputs, you will then need your source device (i.e. Blu-Ray player) be able to do the decoding and output over analog for 6.1

If you have a two channel pre-amp, a limiting factor will be your Threshold amps ability to take input from two sources (one being the Audio Research pre-amp the other a new 7.1 multi-channel preamp) which I suspect it can not without a switching box and this might compromise the sound quality your seem to favour.
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post #3 of 7
6/24/09 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Best Confiquration for High Quality Amp

Why can't you just run a line input to the pre-amp just like any other audio source. I would think the output from a pre/pro would not be any higher than a normal high level input. I am assuming that a pre/pro will allow you to separate different channels to different amps. Is there an issue using different amps for different channels.
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post #4 of 7
6/24/09 at 5:45pm

Re: Best Confiquration for High Quality Amp

Keny, if your pre-amp is two channel, which it sounds like it is, it simply has to be replaced to run a surround system. The Threshold amp is still totally usable. I wouldn't worry too much about setting up 7.1. A well done 5.1 system is completely sufficient and can impress the most critical viewer. So, you need a 3 channel amp and a surround pre/pro. You might also look into a good surround receiver, which will eliminate the need for the extra amp and will include the pre/pro. That is what I do, and I also own Thiel. 3.6 in my case, with an SCS3 center and Polk dipole surrounds. I use a heavy duty amp to run the 3.6 and the receiver for the center and surrounds. I was a little nervous about running the center off a receiver, but it;'s a pretty heavy duty unit and so far so good.
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post #5 of 7
6/25/09 at 9:16am
Thread Starter 

Re: Best Confiquration for High Quality Amp

John R.

What receiver are you using, sounds like you have the exact setup I was thinking about.... if you are running 3.6s then I think whatever you have in addition is probably producing similar quality. I guess it might be time to get rid of my SP9... I am assuming my other audio stuff could be run through pre/pro receiver. Is the receiver you are running have similar pre quality as the SP9 preamp??? Any other thoughts you could share would be appreciated
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post #6 of 7
6/27/09 at 11:03am

Re: Best Confiquration for High Quality Amp

Keny, I am using a Pioneer VSX-56TXi which I actually bought used here on HTF. I would either look into the separates from Outlaw or whatever is within your budget, or look at a receiver from Denon, Onkyo or maybe Pioneer. They get pretty pricey. Some or in the 3-4K range, which just makes no sense to me. Separates seem like a better choice in that price range.
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post #7 of 7
6/27/09 at 2:30pm

Re: Best Confiquration for High Quality Amp

You could sell your Audio Research pre and get another 2 channel pre that has HT passthrough. Your Threshold amp and Thiels would then be able to pull double duty,(HT and 2 channel listening). I'm using a Musical Fidelity pre with my Rotel HT system, works great.
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