Neophyte Musings

[KCF]

Hello All, new to Polk Audio, fell into it like a NY pothole with a vintage RMS surrounds and sub. This led to R40 tower addition, thence to RTi70's and Csi5 center. Now that I'm able to hear the limits of my Yamaha 5600 series receiver I'm thinking of seeing what the envelope offers via some used separates. If it's as much a quantitative leap as getting the Polks, I'm pretty anxious to give it a go. Since all this is new (though I'm getting quite an education via this forum), and since GETTING a good deal requires KNOWING a good deal, it's a bit hard to know how to get my feet wet.
Unfortunately the Yam doesn't have pre-outs to audition power sources, it appears I'll be developing my 2 channel system in parallel... and am looking at some local used Denon and Onkyo amps. Whew, all pretty long-winded way of getting to the question.
Since I want to continue listening to the HT set up, and since the 70s have jumpered dual posts, would there be risks in hooking BOTH power sources to the jumpered connects, and using them for DVD and CD sources powered by the Receiver and separates respectively? (Obviously, one wouldn't want to power separate inputs to the speakers at once).
Hopefully this makes sense, any thoughts welcome

[HBombToo]

First off welcome to the forum KCF.

I sense a bit of confusion I think with regards to the dual posts on the back of your 70's. They are for bi-wire or bi-amp configurations. After you remove the strap, and since the 70's are a 2 way crossover, you have effectively seperated the High and low freq crossover. The ability to do this allows the user to split the connections at the amp and run 2 pair of wires for a bi-wire configuration or split the preamp and run two seperate power amps. Unfortunatly it sounds as though your Yammy won't allow the bi-amp configuration.

If this is what your referring to give us a little more detail and we'll try to help the best way possible.

FWIW, I am not in the bi-wire camp and feal as though the benefits are minimal if the guage speaker wire is adaquite to start with.

HBomb

[KCF]

Thanks H, it was gettin' a little lonely out there...
Actually, I know the jumper will separate the highs and mids. I was actually wondering (and confusion isn't out of the question) if I can hook up two power supplies to the same speaker (my HT receiver and another amp). Does that help any?

K.

(p.s., and yeah, I'm afraid the hook is set...)

[HBombToo]

If by power supplies I'm assuming you mean amps and the answer is yes. Spit the preamp and run to two different amps then hook up your speakers. Use the higher rated amp on the lower posts(low freq) and you'll be biamped. I am a firm believer in biamping and believe its alway well worth the effort.

I thought you said your yammer does not have pre outs?

HBomb

[reeltrouble1]

Hbomb,

I think he wants to run two totally separated systems, with one set of fronts for HT and 2 ch, the speaker wires from each system meeting at the binding posts.

I dunno but you will have to elaborate a bit.

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by reeltrouble1
Hbomb,

I think he wants to run two totally separated systems, with one set of fronts for HT and 2 ch, the speaker wires from each system meeting at the binding posts.

I dunno but you will have to elaborate a bit.

if this is the intent then I hope his yammy has zone 2 capability.

for 2 systems tied to the same speaker I would hesitate and ensure good protection. I don't think the speakers would die with both sources playing at the same time unless they were cranked and blew the speaker. Thats the reason for protection.

more specifics is what we need to be sure a chicken man does not fry his feathers:D

Twin

KFC loses another:eek: ok... i'll stop now:D

[KCF]

That's K C F, by the bye.. I know, just didn't want to hassle with changing to a snappy moniker just yet.. it'll happen.

No, I don't want anything roasted. I just want to be able to use my HT receiver for DVDs and a separate amp for CDs / stereo listening thru the same speakers (fronts), though obviously at different times. I know this is confusing, sorry...

In the best of worlds, I gather one would have the DVD and CD routed thru the preamp with only ONE set of connects to the speaks, BUT since I don't HAVE the option of pre-outs on the Yam, I'm kinda stuck with two separate systems, the receiver and an integrated amp. I don't want to have to junk the HT Yamaha (tho some might consider that redundant). Just wondering if I might be able to wire (and use) both separately.

Thanks for the patience --and humor,

K.

[reeltrouble1]

KCF/KFC,

Why not get a receiver with pre's and a 2ch amp for your fronts, sell the yammer you have or use it somewhere else, many here do this.

[KCF]

Okay, my brother, you may convey the wisest course. Being a cheap-zoid by nature, I'm looking for an out, but fax is fax....

K.

[HBombToo]

I use my h/k as a prepro only. Does a good job for both HT and 5.1 multichannel and is a single source.

twin

[gatemplin]

I read through this thread and didnt see these things mentioned. If they were, I guess I'm an idiot.

I dont think you can have two amps hooked up the the same speakers at the same time. Haven't tried it myself, but I think you could ruin the amps that way. I have a feeling that you could damage the output transistors. Also, if you bi amp as Henry suggested, remember to remove the jumpers.

[Dennis Gardner]

KCF,

What you need is a system selector switch. Here is one on eBay for $30. You can run one set o wires to your speakers this way.

System Switch (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64596&item=5735647973&rd=1)

[Airplay355]

you could always just buy two runs of speaker wire and change which one is plugged into the mains based on what you listen to.

one wire for HT and the other for 2 channel, as long as they both arent plugged in at the same time you wont cook anything.

[KCF]

Thanks to all for good suggestions. I like that I'd thought of at least 1 (unplugging!) myself... switching sounds like a more sophisticated route.

Thanks!

K.

[steveinaz]

Ok, you HT surround guys help me out. I'm a 2-channel geek. Can't you select on your HT receiver to just do "stereo" output?

Keep in mind I don't know jack about surround....

[gatemplin]

Can't you select on your HT receiver to just do "stereo" output?

Of course.

[reeltrouble1]

Originally posted by steveinaz
Ok, you HT surround guys help me out. I'm a 2-channel geek. Can't you select on your HT receiver to just do "stereo" output?

Keep in mind I don't know jack about surround....

Most receivers I am familiar with still output a signal to the subwoofer if one is connected in "Stereo" mode. If you just want to use your fronts then you need to select the "Direct" mode or whatever an individual company calls or names this mode.

Of course if you are feeding a digital signal from the source to the receiver even in Direct mode the the Receiver's DAC will have to process it back to analog before sending it on down the system.

RT1