Using Separate amp's w/ a Denon 3803 (1 Viewer)

[MichaelDDD]

Eric,

You could do exactly what you ask. Run the Front 3 and L/R surrounds off the 5-channel amp and the Rear 2 surrounds off the receiver.

You would have to recalibrate everything with the db meter. You would use the receivers' level controls for each channel to set their proper levels; no differently than when running all channels off the receiver.

 

[Marvin]

My receiver (Denon 2700) has only 3 pre-outs so even though I have a 5 channel amp, I can use only 3 of them (for the fronts and center) and use the receiver to power my 2 rear speakers. I wish there was some way to tap into the unused 2 amp channels for my front speakers but my speakers aren't bi-wireable.

 

[Glenn Baumann]

Michael is correct... you can use external amplification for the (5) channels and the onboard amps for the (2) back surround channels! I have personally done this on my 3801 and no problems! Enjoy!

Glenn

 

[terence]

I'm running all 5 ch's on the MM-9000 and my surround backs off of the 4ES. Unitl i can get a 2ch amp. No problems @ all.

 

[Shiu]

Terrence, do you connect the preouts of the 4ES directly to the MM-9000? Is the MM-9000 a power amp or an integrated amps? I have a two channel Adcom 565 preamp and 555 power amp and am ready to try it out as soon as I can find two pairs of RCA cables in order to use the processor in/out loop. I am hoping that the 4ES pre/pro/amp combo will give me enough improvement to save me from upgrading to something like an aVR7200.

 

[terence]

HI Shui,

I connect the preouts of the 4ES directly into the MM-9000 inputs via RCA cables.



This should give you more headroom and detail, defiantly for two ch.

 

[Edward J M]

Jumping in a little late here, but.....

I'm running a 3803 with three Outlaw M200 monoblocks for the front stage. The internal 3803 amps handle the side and rear surrounds. I used Better Cables Silver Serpents for interconnects.

No problems whatsoever with calibration; the new channel levels were within 1 dB of the previous settings.

The M200 amp sounds noticeably superior to the internal 3803 amps, both for HT and also especially for 2 channel. Better resolution of detail, wider and deeper soundstage, better dynamics and transients - in short everything you'd expect by adding decent external amplification. Very pleased with the upgrade and a great value considering the reasonable price.

As advertised, the M200 runs cool even with three stacked. Even on demanding HT at/near Reference Level, the M200 stays barely warm to the touch.

Regards,

Ed