Topic: 5.1 receiver for 2.1 channel audio

[qguy]

Need recommendations for a nice warm sounding 5.1 receiver to be mainly for Music and the occasional HT viewing

Requirements

Network ready, internet Radio, Airplay from PC iTunes to receiver, if i can stream from Virtual DJ to the receiver, much better, Remote for Android, Stream from Android to the receiver

100 watts per channel

Thanks

[♡ lvcdg23™ ✌]

Marantz and Denon... Based from my experience, these two have warm sound, but it will still depend on the speakers you're going to use...
You could also audition NAD and Anthem AVRs. Musical sounding din sila.

[CoolTOYZPH]

Agree with Louie Maranz n pure direct mode for music listening.

[Philander]

Marantz if you have budget or Denon if you want so save but with almost the same quality in sound characteristic as Marantz

[qguy]

I checked the Denon AVR-X2200  Sadly the subwoofer can only be crossed at 80hz and up. I need something that can be crossed lower...

[hi-fidelity-4-all]

My current HT AVR is an Onkyo TX-SR876.  Bought new and have had it for almost 7 years, of heavy use, i.e. nightly for family TV and/or movies, and many long weekend Xbox sessions.  No problems whatsoever.  Running it in 5.1, but with many hours of stereo music listening and background music.  While I generally use an external DAC, the internal DAC is 24/192 and very capable.  It is 7.1, but I'm using 5.1 and the two spare channels for "bi-amping", rather than bi-wire cables into my speakers.

[qguy]

Can I Bi-amp using the surround channels of a 5.1 channel amplifier ?

[CoolTOYZPH]

I think more often offered on 7.2 models. Go for atleast a 7.2 with pre-outs fot future upgrades.

Can I Bi-amp using the surround channels of a 5.1 channel amplifier ?

[DTNS]

the Marantz SR5010 gets my vote.

[Nelson de Leon]

Can I Bi-amp using the surround channels of a 5.1 channel amplifier ?

Wala atang features ang 5.1 channel receivers fro biamping. Plus mga baging 5.1 entry level AVRs, mahihina ang amplification stage niya.

[elco]

My current HT AVR is an Onkyo TX-SR876.  Bought new and have had it for almost 7 years, of heavy use, i.e. nightly for family TV and/or movies, and many long weekend Xbox sessions.  No problems whatsoever.  Running it in 5.1, but with many hours of stereo music listening and background music.  While I generally use an external DAC, the internal DAC is 24/192 and very capable.  It is 7.1, but I'm using 5.1 and the two spare channels for "bi-amping", rather than bi-wire cables into my speakers.

Same here. I'm using a Denon AVR-4810 for both music and movies. My front speakers are also bi-ampable, which the AVR-4810 supports. Surround sound is used only when watching movies. Otherwise it is in "pure direct" 2-channel mode.

Except when my wife listens. She likes the added bass of Audyssey processing. Haha..

[qguy]

Can I not connect the Tweeters to the Rear channels ?

[Nelson de Leon]

Can I not connect the Tweeters to the Rear channels ?

Iba ang lumalabas na sound sa rear channels.

[qguy]

Iba ang lumalabas na sound sa rear channels.

even if my source is only 2 channel ?

[qguy]

Anyone compared the Marantz NR1506 vs Marantz SR5010 on 2 channel audio ?

[Nelson de Leon]

even if my source is only 2 channel ?

Yes sir. I mean hindi necessarily full range. The prologic decoding "assigns" what it will output sa rear based on your output settings.

What is your setting sa ouput? Kung pure direct or direct mode, alam ko wala ding lalabas, unless the manual says it's bi-ampable. You also need to set the system by selecting "biamp" sa surround if there is a feature.

[qguy]

its not biamp ready, but when i installed 5 Bose speakers before and played music, all speakers were working. I never bothered to check SQ at the time. Anyways I think I will just try it later and see how it sounds..

Yes sir. I mean hindi necessarily full range. The prologic decoding "assigns" what it will output sa rear based on your output settings.

What is your setting sa ouput? Kung pure direct or direct mode, alam ko wala ding lalabas, unless the manual says it's bi-ampable. You also need to set the system by selecting "biamp" sa surround if there is a feature.

[markcrenz]

With a stereo only source you can biamp your speakers using a 5.1 receiver.

Recommended settings and connections:
1. Front speakers
     Small (or large if you don't have a sub). Connect your mid/woofer to the fronts.
2. Center speaker
     None
3. Surround speakers
     Small. Connect your tweeters to the surrounds.
4. Crossover
     If you don't have a sub, choose the highest setting.
     If you have a sub, settings will depend on the AVRs capability. If the crossover is universal, meaning only one setting for all speakers, choose the frequency that is slightly higher than your speakers' -3dB point or according to taste. If you can set the crossover for the F, C, S separately, choose the highest setting for the surrounds.
5. Distance
     Fronts and surrounds should be equal.
6. Processing/Surround mode
    5 channel stereo, all channel stereo or whatever your receiver calls that setting.

ADD: you can also provide better protection for your tweeters by tweaking EQ of the Surround channels. Trim down all EQ below 1khz for less low frequency energy going to the tweeters.

[qguy]

Ok thanks..

do you see an improvement/advantage using this config ?

With a stereo only source you can biamp your speakers using a 5.1 receiver.

Recommended settings and connections:
1. Front speakers
     Small (or large if you don't have a sub). Connect your mid/woofer to the fronts.
2. Center speaker
     None
3. Surround speakers
     Small. Connect your tweeters to the surrounds.
4. Crossover
     If you don't have a sub, choose the highest setting.
     If you have a sub, settings will depend on the AVRs capability. If the crossover is universal, meaning only one setting for all speakers, choose the frequency that is slightly higher than your speakers' -3dB point or according to taste. If you can set the crossover for the F, C, S separately, choose the highest setting for the surrounds.
5. Distance
     Fronts and surrounds should be equal.
6. Processing/Surround mode
    5 channel stereo, all channel stereo or whatever your receiver calls that setting.

ADD: you can also provide better protection for your tweeters by tweaking EQ of the Surround channels. Trim down all EQ below 1khz for less low frequency energy going to the tweeters.

[♡ lvcdg23™ ✌]

its not biamp ready, but when i installed 5 Bose speakers before and played music, all speakers were working. I never bothered to check SQ at the time. Anyways I think I will just try it later and see how it sounds..

If the AVR you are going to get has "Multi-Channel Stereo" Output/Processing then this is possible kahit na 2-Channel lang yung input mo.

[qguy]

I tried it and it works on All channel stereo.. as to if it sounds better ? still too early too tell.

[markcrenz]

Ok thanks..

do you see an improvement/advantage using this config ?

Didn't do critical listening. Ginamit ko lang as background setup while working at home. But advantage nga yung extra protection ng tweeters.

OTOH active biamping is a whole lot better.

[qguy]

Those receivers with Bi-amping features,  is it active bi-amping or passive din ?

Didn't do critical listening. Ginamit ko lang as background setup while working at home. But advantage nga yung extra protection ng tweeters.

OTOH active biamping is a whole lot better.

[Stagea]

Those receivers with Bi-amping features,  is it active bi-amping or passive din ?

Passive for common AV Receivers. High end brands like Lyngdorf do have models that can offer active bi-amping (or tri-amping, quad-amping, etc.).

[onkyo616]

slightly OT i'm looking for an amplifier (5.1 or 7.1) complete with speakers kahit yong maliliit lang for room music and movies, like yong mga HTIB lang ang speakers but this is an AVR