Onkyo Receiver, Rotel Amp

[headshrinker2]

After a whole bunch of obsessing, I ordered an Onkyo 706 AV Receiver. I am primarily trying to put together a fun home theater set-up that satisfies my ears, but does not break the bank.

From a previous home theater setup, I have a Rotel RB-956AX. The 706 has pre-outs so I will be experimenting with the Rotel to see what happens. It is a six channel amp and I was thinking of using it as three bridged channels.

Do you expect this setup will be moderately better than the 706 alone?

[htsteve]

After a whole bunch of obsessing, I ordered an Onkyo 706 AV Receiver. I am primarily trying to put together a fun home theater set-up that satisfies my ears, but does not break the bank.

From a previous home theater setup, I have a Rotel RB-956AX. The 706 has pre-outs so I will be experimenting with the Rotel to see what happens. It is a six channel amp and I was thinking of using it as three bridged channels.

Do you expect this setup will be moderately better than the 706 alone?

headshrinker2,

In almost all cases, using an external, dedicated amp with a reciever is a good idea. You definitely want to bridge that unit. I would expect the 956, as a dedicated amp, to perform better than the Onkyo. Dynamics, bass, soundstage and detail should all improve.

Have fun with your new set up. What have you decided on for speakers.


Hope this helps.

[Kevin D]

What speakers are you powering? When bridged, the 956 will only work with speakers having an 8ohm nominal load.

Kevin D.

[headshrinker2]

Onkyo Receiver, Rotel Amp

Greetings everyone,
I own an Onkyo 706 AV receiver. In my arsenal of audio gear, I have a Rotel 956-AX 6 Channel Amp that I purchased several years ago. For those with a similar grade of receiver, how likely is it that the Rotel will improve the overall sound?

Thanks in advance

[wkhanna]

Hard to say. Just hook it up and see.

Chances are it may. In most cases, using a separate amp for the front channels will improve the overall SQ when using a receiver.

[headshrinker2]

htsteve

Hey Steve,
Thanks for the reply. My current gear includes B&W DM-303's in the front w/ a B&W LCR3 center channel. I'm going to try these out with my new electronics, but I am strongly considering a speaker upgrade.

Take care.

headshrinker2,

In almost all cases, using an external, dedicated amp with a reciever is a good idea. You definitely want to bridge that unit. I would expect the 956, as a dedicated amp, to perform better than the Onkyo. Dynamics, bass, soundstage and detail should all improve.

Have fun with your new set up. What have you decided on for speakers.


Hope this helps.

[headshrinker2]

Kevin

Thanks for the tip. As noted in more recent post, I am currently using B&W DM-303 series fronts and center. Quite likely I may be upgrading to a higher series of B&W's or possibly Paradigm Studio 20's.

What speakers are you powering? When bridged, the 956 will only work with speakers having an 8ohm nominal load.

Kevin D.

[Kevin D]

You should be fine with your current setup. The CM or 700 series B&W might shut the amp down if you go with towers. Paradigm book shelves should be fine as well.

Depending on how far up the line you go you will probably start noticing how the 956 is mainly designed for multi-room applications not serious home theater. It will most likely sound better then the Onkyo amps in either case.

Kevin D.

[Nuthed]

When you bridge an amp sometimes you end up with a gritty sound. Most of the reasons for using a separate amp will go out the window: soundstage, dynamics and what have you. The only good reason to bridge is higher SPLs.

If you're only doing a 5.1 set-up why not just bi-amp your speakers using the Onkyo's built-in amps. Before you ask, yes the Onkyo is capable of that. It has a re-assign feature to use the rear surround amps for bi-amping. I have an Integra DTR-7.8 that I do just such a thing with. I power Paradigm Studio 100s that way and they sound good.

Otherwise I would get a dedicated 2 channel Rotel amp to power your fronts. I happen to have a RB-980BX lying around.