Which Pre/Pros or Receivers have two 5.1 inputs or ability to assign 2ch in to 5.1 in (1 Viewer)

[chung_sotheby]

Since it is the beginning of the year, it is once again upgrade time! Whoopee! I have really gotten into MC SACD over the last six months, but I am also really interested in DVD-Audio. The problem is that I have a Sony SCD-555ES and Denon 1600, which I am going to keep for a while. I would like to upgrade my setup to a pre/pro or receiver that either has two 5.1 ins or has the ability to configure 2 ch inputs into 5.1 inputs. So far, I only know of the new Sony ES and Denon 5800 receivers to have two sets of 5.1 ins, and I only know of the Lexicon processors to be capable of assigning inputs to become 5.1 inputs. If anyone knows of any receivers or processors that have either of these capabilities I would greatly appreciate it.
Also, the 5.1 inputs must be analog pass-through, not digitizing, so that the signal stays unencumbered throughout. I wouldn't mind if the signal digitizes and only sends out a bass signal, but I do not want the 5 main channels to be converted in any way. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Chris*Liberti]

Some of the older Sony ES do as well, I have the SCD-DA4ES and it has 2 5.1 inputs (one is even a 7.1 for future use or if you want one hooked up to the rear instead of side surround speakers

 

[John Robert]

There are some current lower level Sony's also with two 5.1 inputs. It then jumps to pre/pros in the $5k range. You can make a $30 switcher with two 3 channel switchers from Radio Shack...

John

 

[Charles Gurganus]

"has the ability to configure 2 ch inputs into 5.1 inputs"

I am not sure exactly what you are saying with this. Are you saying you would be ok with a 2 channel input as long as it has analog bypass? I know of no 2 channel input that has analog 5.1 inputs.

Anyway, my Aragon Soundstage has analog bypass on ALL of its 2 channel inputs (11 I think) plus a 5.1 channel input.

You CAN get some pretty good quality switchers that would allow 2 devices to share your 1 input. Thats another idea.

 

[chung_sotheby]

Sorry, I didn't explain it fully. What I meant is that the new Lexicons have the ability to used three 2ch inputs and assign them to act as a single 5.1 input. I believe that the MC-8 has 8 pairs of inputs, so the unit can be configurable to one 5.1 ch input and five 2ch inputs, or two 5.1 ch inputs and two 2 ch inputs. I believe that the MC12 has the same option, but with more 2 ch inputs (12) than the MC8 (8). I thought that I had heard that the Anthem piece had this type of function, but I may have been imagining it.

As for the switcher:
I realize that I can make a switcher with the Radio Shack boxes, but my main point of emphasis is that I would also like to limit the amount and length of cables that I use. By introducing the two switch boxes, I will have to purchase another set of six cables, and I am not sure if I have space on my rack to accomodate the extra wiring and the RadShack boxes.

 

[JimmyK]

I have the AVM20 and I'm pretty sure you cannot do this with it. If I'm wrong, I would appreciate someone letting me know as I would be interested in knowing how to do it.

JimmyK

 

[Mifr44]

The Lexicon MC-8 has the option to be configured with up to two 5.1 analog inputs. The MC-12 has the option to be configured with one 5.1 analog input. The Anthem AVM-20 has one fixed 5.1 analog input.

What the MC-12 allows you to do is assign logical names to any input on the back panel, including a configured 5.1 input. In conjunction with an external switch box and the MC-12's triggers, the MC-12 can have two separate inputs, i.e. DVD1 and AUX, control the switch box and two separate 5.1 sources seemlessly.

The AVM-20 can be configured to do this with an external switch box, but it is a bit more restrictive in its flexibility. With the right remote and a free unused zone on the AVM-20, like Zone3, an external switch box can be made to work.

Michael