Other uses for AV receiver

Posted by: ROOG on 25 June 2016

Sorry if this is a daft question, but I don't have much experience of AV receivers.

I have a new audio DIY project on the go, and it involves Tri amping.

An active crossover giving Low, med & high frequency outputs to an amplifier which is used to drive 3 individual speaker drivers per stereo channel,  so I need a 6 channel amplifier.

As its a DIY prototype I don't want to spend a fortune on a Tri amp set up and I thought that an old AV receiver might be ok to get the project off the blocks.

I note that some older 7.1 receivers have Multi channel inputs marked:  front L&R, Surround L&R and Rear surround L&R. I understand that these are intended to accept inputs from specific types of DVD players.

Question is: in Multi Channel mode are these inputs routed through the amp on separate channels with out any processing carried out? 

purpose being to use it as a; "not so hiFi stereo Tri amp"?

 Thanks for reading

Posted on: 25 June 2016 by NickSeattle

Yes.  That will work.  The point of the multi-channel input is to allow for processing, if any, outside the AV amp.

l used this method once to power a whole house system in stereo, ignoring 5.1 completely.

Nick

Posted on: 26 June 2016 by tonym

Yes, agreed it'll work a treat. I think folks underestimate how good the amplification can be in A/V receivers.

Posted on: 26 June 2016 by ROOG

Cheers chaps, 

i presume that the signal will pass through a volume control section and may be EQ, which would be quite handy.

I'm looking for an Arcam receiver which I hope will use reasonable amplifier sections.

thanks for the advice, appreciated.

Posted on: 26 June 2016 by Eloise

Yes it will work.

As an alternative you could look for a 6 channel Rotel such as the RB976 or RMB1066 which are often available at good cost and will be a similar quality amplification to that in an AVR.

Posted on: 26 June 2016 by ROOG

Oh yes, keeping my eye open for multi Channel power amps, NAD, Arcam and Rotel, but these seem to be rarer and more sought after. 

Spotted a massive Vincent 6 channel power amp beast, but it's a bit rich for my test bed.