RSX-1056 and Zone 2???

[abock]

I spent the afternoon listening to various receivers. At the end I am down to either the 1056 or the arcam 300. Understanding the approx 800 difference I am really leaning toward the rotel. I have search the forum and read the manual online and am still a little confused about Zone 2. I really want to power a set of second speakers, but do not want to redirect the mains as I was given a 1050. If I have to buy a separate amp I will probably go with the Arcam.

Anyway my question is: Can the amp be used to power Zone 2. It seems like you would power the center rears with the amp and redirect them to 2nd zone. Is this correct or do you have to shift the fronts.

Thanks in advance. I hope to make my decision tonight and burn my credit card up tommorow

[phillipk]

Sorry if my answer adds more confusion--but if there's a way to do what you want, then I don't know how. I have the 1056 and the zone 2 outs are simply one pair (L/R) of analog RCAs. So, that has to go into another amp. There may be some funky way to take plug two speakers into two unused speaker posts... but, in that case, I don't think that works because say you're listening to 2-channel... it's not like there's anything going to the other speakers. In any event, the only way to have separate controls (the way zone 2 works) is to send it out to another amp.

I'd love to be told I'm wrong.

[Scherr]

You can redirect the front channels (FL & FR) to power zone 2 or use a separate amp to power zone 2. If you redirect the front channels, you need a separate amp for the front channels.

The front channel amps can also be redirected to power the back center surrounds. If you do this, you will need a separate amp for the front channels AND zone 2.

On the back of the receiver, there are five speaker inputs labeled (1) FL/CB1/ZoneL, (2) FR/CB2/ZoneR, (3) C, (4) SL, and (5) SR. In the menu, there is an option to redirect the fronts to CB or the second zone.

Scott

[phillipk]

I've got the pre-outs going to a separate amp which powers my main speakers. Now, you're saying that there's a way to power remote speakers without another amp? Maybe I need a picture because I'm just not seeing it.

Thanks,
Phillip

[srb]

phillipk,

If you are going to use a Center Back speaker or speakers (6.1 or 7.1), you can redirect your unused Front L & R amplifiers of the RSX-1056 to Center Backs. In this case you would then still need yet another ampflier to connect to the Zone 2 pre-outs.

If you are NOT using Center Back speakers (5.1), then you can redirect the unused Front L & R amplifiers to Zone 2. This redirect function is set in the Main Menu...Default...Redirect submenu.

Note: When you redirect the front channels you will loose your programming for inputs and will have to reprogram them. I believe the speaker settings are lost as well.

[phillipk]

Now I'm very curious. I tried Default>redirect and no matter what I set it to it reverts to "no". I'll look through the archives for this one.
Thanks.

[srb]

It had been 6 months since I did the redirect, so I didn't remember this, but the RSX-1056 manual states (pg. 43):

"Changing the default TUNER SETTING or REDIRECT SETTING can only be done at the same time as restoring the FACTORY DEFAULT settings. Therefore, we recommend selecting your default TUNER and REDIRECT settings and resetting to the FACTORY DEFAULT settings as the first step in configuring the unit, before you change or memorize any other configuration settings."

And resetting the factory defaults is what wipes everything out; the input settings (including custom labels), the speaker levels, delay settings, crossover settings - EVERYTHING!

I don't know why it can't just perform a redirect without resetting the whole thing, but....

Also, note that Zone 2 can only output analog audio sources, not digital.

[ApogeeUser]

Yes, the instructions are counter-intuitive and everytime you change the redirect you have to redo your settings. I write mine down for reference.

The good thing about redirect is that I'm able to bi-amp my center channel. I had two spare channels since I'm not using the FR/FL so in theory I can do tri-amp, only thing is my speaker is not wired for tri-amp.

[phillipk]

I've tried it a few times and it seems to revert to "no" for redirect.

Anyone care to state the exact steps?

[ApogeeUser]

"Anyone care to state the exact steps?"

Well these may not be exact but give these a try.

Set redirect to front->Zone 2

Goto Factory Default and change the selection to "yes"

I don't remember but I think the unit turns itself off when you press enter but if it doesn't then turn it off and back on to make sure it's saved.

Makes no sense at all. What were these guys smoking?