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Post by infernost on Oct 16, 2013 14:35:56 GMT -5
I'm currently running an Onkyo 818 in a 9.1 configuration but can only power 7.1 at any one time. I need to power either my FH or SR speakers via the receiver pre-out and am considering either the UPA or XPA-200, which amp would be good for this application also which speakers should be put on the amp the Front High or Surround Rears. Thanks in advance for your help.
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Post by dally on Oct 16, 2013 14:42:49 GMT -5
If you add a separate amp you definitely want to power your main speakers with the amp. Let the reciever handle the surrounds and heights. The main speakers are your heaviest load by far. Plus two channel listening will also benefit from a separate amp. If I had to choose between the UPA-200 or XPA-200 I would definitely go with the XPA.
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Post by gohantanch on Oct 16, 2013 14:47:30 GMT -5
If you add a separate amp you definitely want to power your main speakers with the amp. Let the reciever handle the surrounds and heights. The main speakers are your heaviest load by far. Plus two channel listening will also benefit from a separate amp. If I had to choose between the UPA-200 or XPA-200 I would definitely go with the XPA. HERE HERE!!! I second that thought! |
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Post by garbulky on Oct 16, 2013 14:48:28 GMT -5
I'm currently running an Onkyo 818 in a 9.1 configuration but can only power 7.1 at any one time. I need to power either my FH or SR speakers via the receiver pre-out and am considering either the UPA or XPA-200, which amp would be good for this application also which speakers should be put on the amp the Front High or Surround Rears. Thanks in advance for your help. This is a mistake and a big one (imo)! I understand why you want to do it. But the UPA or XPA-200 would make a MUCH more worth it difference as your mains. If it's an either/or - as in you must have those heights powered, I suggest a UPA-500 and power the fronts and center and then allow the last two channels to pick up the heights and surrounds. |
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Post by infernost on Oct 16, 2013 14:58:25 GMT -5
The problem is the receiver will only let me drive either the Front Highs or Rear Surrounds from it and having the other available via the pre-out in the menu, it won't let me use the pre-out for my fronts and then drive the FH's & SR's directly from the receiver.
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Post by garbulky on Oct 16, 2013 15:00:10 GMT -5
The problem is the receiver will only let me drive either the Front Highs or Rear Surrounds from it and having the other available via the pre-out in the menu, it won't let me use the pre-out for my fronts and then drive the FH's & SR's directly from the receiver. What about the UPA-500 idea where it does the fronts and heights and the reciever just does the rest? Is that possible? |
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223 
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Post by novisnick on Oct 16, 2013 15:00:36 GMT -5
Hi,
In my build up over time I've found that the 3 most important speakers to drive from an external amp are 1) Front L/R to multi task for theater and two channel. Then 2) center channel. I do understand your problem, I'm running a 11.3 system and now my AVR only drive my front & rear presence speakers.
Got to run , more later.
Peace,
Nick
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Post by gohantanch on Oct 16, 2013 15:04:40 GMT -5
I'm currently running an Onkyo 818 in a 9.1 configuration but can only power 7.1 at any one time. I need to power either my FH or SR speakers via the receiver pre-out and am considering either the UPA or XPA-200, which amp would be good for this application also which speakers should be put on the amp the Front High or Surround Rears. Thanks in advance for your help. This is a mistake and a big one (imo)! I understand why you want to do it. But the UPA or XPA-200 would make a MUCH more worth it difference as your mains. If it's an either/or - as in you must have those heights powered, I suggest a UPA-500 and power the fronts and center and then allow the last two channels to pick up the heights and surrounds. Use the upa-500 to power the fronts, center, and heights instead of just the center and fronts. Unless you meant the fronts and fronts heights when you said fronts and in that case,good idea! |
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Post by garbulky on Oct 16, 2013 15:08:28 GMT -5
This is a mistake and a big one (imo)! I understand why you want to do it. But the UPA or XPA-200 would make a MUCH more worth it difference as your mains. If it's an either/or - as in you must have those heights powered, I suggest a UPA-500 and power the fronts and center and then allow the last two channels to pick up the heights and surrounds. Use the upa-500 to power the fronts, center, and heights instead of just the center and fronts. Unless you meant the fronts and fronts heights when you said fronts and in that case,good idea! Yeah that's what I meant the UPA-500 powers the fronts, center and heights and leaves the rears for the reciever. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2013 15:14:57 GMT -5
I would get a Mini-x if the onkyo wont let you choose to assign the unused internal amps for the FH or RS channels. To be honest I have had some of the 800 series Onkyos and the Mini-x will most likely sound better driving the fronts as well if you choose to use it for them.
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Post by dally on Oct 16, 2013 15:26:22 GMT -5
If your looking for the cheapest possible solution,let your receiver drive your 7 main channels and get a mini x for your heights. Heights and surround backs require very little power. The mini x should be more than adequate in that situation.
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Post by Dark Ranger on Oct 16, 2013 15:26:32 GMT -5
Thanks for mentioning the restriction with the Onkyo AVR. Personally, I think a UPA-200 or XPA-200 is a waste for the height/back surround channels. However, if you wanted to keep things as they are and shell out as little as possible, then I'd suggest a mini-X for the height channels requiring an external amp. Put the back surrounds on the AVR.
A better solution (IMO) would be to offload the fronts and center from the AVR (as others have mentioned). Something like a UPA-500 or XPA-5 would be great. You could get the benefits of a great amp for the most important channels (LCR), plus use the height (or surround back) AVR preouts on the remaining two amp channels. The final setup would look like this:
UPA-500 or XPA-5 runs:
- front left
- front right
- center
- front height left
- front height right
AVR runs:
- surround left
- surround right
- back surround left
- back surround right
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