Turn off amps in RSX-1056?

[kirkj]

New to the forum (and having problems posting too?).

I picked up an RSX-1056 and have some questions. I'm going to use the 1056 for home theatre with a 5.1 B&W VM1 system that I ordered. However, I also like to listen to 2-channel music using an Adcom amp and a pair of Magneplanars that I already own.

I currently have it setup with the Zone 2 pre-outs feeding the Adcom. This isn't very user-friendly (ie low WAF). Adjusting the volume looks like it will be very messy with the Zone 1 VM1s kicking on.

Another way I thought I could set it up is by not using Zone 2 at all. Just use FL and FR pre-outs to the Adcom and use the Adcom power switch. But how do I easily turn off the Zone 1 VM1s? Seriously, if I had a headphone amp, how would I turn off the main speakers? Thanks.

- Kirk.

[Taito]

Hi Kirk, if you had a separate stereo preamp for the adcom, it would be simple - connect it to a record/tape out on the RSX and then mute the RSX -one of several possibilities (also what you could do with a headphone amp).

Unfortunately, my system is only 2 channel, and I am not familiar enough with the RSX series to offer real help with your current situation -assuming the adcom is a power amp, not an integrated amp. Good luck, I'm sure someone around here can offer some help that doesn't require extra equipment.

-Ben

[basementjack]

Kirk, I don't have my 1056 yet, but I've been through the manual a few times. I think this is a tough situation for you. Zone 2 seems to be the best way to do this. You could in theory tell the 1056 to use it's front two speakers for zone 2 or surround back centers, but from what I've read, this process has a bug that requires a reset to factory defaults to take effect, so I don't think that would be any easier than using zone 2.

[DJDREW]

All you have to do is press Zone button and adjust the volume and if you want to change source press the Zone button and select the source. The only down side to this is you do have a time out to do each transaction, but what exacly is messy about it kirkj?

I do like the idea of the seperate pre amp, Tiato, but it would be very simular to the Zone option with less flexability, and may cause ground issues. Do realize the the zone has a seperate IR in so you can control it in another room whick make is even better than using a record out.

[kirkj]

After using it a bit more, I'm going to leave the Adcom on Zone 2 and continute to press "ZONE" on the remote. One gripe is that I'm using an RCC-1055 CD changer and the "DISC 4" button is shared with "ZONE". I might remove the "DISC 4" code because I inadvertently keep changing CDs everytime I want to hit "ZONE" to change the volume. It'd be nice if I could just purchase a separate simple remote for Zone 2. Also, Zone 2 only allows for analog sources, but this is not a big deal for me since I'm connecting the RCC-1055 via analog. In the future, I might buy an external speaker switch to simply things.

Another gripe. I have a VCR, and this defaults me down to only two component video inputs because the VCR needs to be in Video 1,2,or 3. I think I'm going to just move the VCR to Video 5 and be careful not to record/play at the same time. Not sure why Rotel didn't make this a bit more flexible.

Question. The EXT button on the remote selects the MULTI analog audio inputs and also selects Video 1 at the same time. Can it get it to select Video 4 instead? I use DVI to connect my DVD player directly to my projector and don't want to unnecessarily occupy the component connections for Video 1.

Thanks guys for all the help so far!

- Kirk.

[Kevin D]

The VCR can be hooked up to any input. The label on the remote can be changed to say anything you want. As far as the EXT input, under the setup menu for that input, you can change it to whatever video input you want.

Kevin D.

[kirkj]

The manual on page 19 says to only use Video 1,2,or 3 for VCR. But I'll give it a try. Glad that I can move the MULTI input.

- Kirk.