Rotel Intergration

[pcking]

I 'm trying to connect a PS3( hdmi & rca) to AVR (Yamaha RXV 3900),Rotel RC 1550(pre amp} and a ROTEL 991(power amp) how can listen to 2 channel and 5.1 without having to unplug interconnects.To drive one set of speakers 2 or 5.1. configeration I thought a switch box would do the trick.Also could I connect the pre out from my AVR to the pre amp input.


Thanks Paul

[srb]

Rotel INTEGRATION

It's unfortunate that many stereo preamps do not have an HT bypass input designed to route the AVR pre-outs through the stereo preamp to the power amp. In some implementations the HT signal bypasses the preamp completely, and in others bypasses the volume control, sending the signal through the preamp circuitry at unity gain.

Lacking that, many people do what you suggest - sending the AVR Left and Right pre-outs into one of the stereo preamp's line inputs. This requires you to set the volume control on the stereo preamp to a pre-determined level to maintain proper speaker level calibration in 5.1 mode when choosing the "HT" input. Stereo preamps with digital volume readouts can be set to a pre-determined volume number setting, but those with no display, like the RC-1550, will need a small mark (sliver of tape?) to mark the calibrated HT volume position.

Your 5.1 source signals will of course travel through a second preamplifier stage in the stereo preamp as well as through a second volume control, but presumably the small added noise or distortion will not be a big problem for the 5.1 sources, and your 2-channel stereo sources will have a pure path.

I would avoid using a simple switchbox to select whether the stereo preamp outputs or AVR pre-outs go into the power amplifer, as this would most likely be an unbuffered connection which could result in speaker damaging pops or transients as the power amplifier inputs are connected and disconnected without any attenuation of the signal.

Steve

[pcking]

Thanks for your quick reply Steve, so what your saying is that I will use the volume control on the AVR and set the pre amp to a set volume ??
Also will the audio signal degrade because Im going thru the AVR then to pre amp. I just bought the pre amp to improve the sound and using the AVR out of convenice, Cable TV, Zone 2 audio for outside, Mac , XBOX.
Speakers B&W CM9

Thanks again for your advice

[hurin]

Forget about the rsa connects on the PS3, it was made for games not music. I don't really see the benefits of a setup with both a reciever and stereo preamp, it can be done of course, but the whole idea makes me think of Frankensteins monster.

I don't know how much space you got. But I would either buy two more speakers and create a dedicated stereo setup for listening to music using the RC 1550 and the 991, and a second dedicated setup for movies and games using the Yamaha. Or I would sell the Yamaha and the RC 1550 and buy a used RSP 1069.

[pcking]

I'm just using the PS3 for CD and SACD playback and sometimes BLU RAY
concert music.I will one day buy a CD/ SACD player.But I do haveLCR inwall JAMO speakers in same location as my ROTEL/B&W setup but there not used because of poor sound quality.But I guess I could use them for CABLE/FREE TO AIR TV, and use the ROTEL/B&W setup for cd/blu ray music. I just need seperate the 2 systems some how.


Many Thanks

[srb]

BTW, the Rotel RC-1580 does have a Theater By-Pass input. What is a little strange is that it is labeled "Tape 2", yet Rotel cautions "This input will only function in a by-pass mode so do not connect a tape recording unit to this input."

It would seem that they decided to implement this feature into the circuitry at the last minute without changing the already silkscreened front and rear panel "Tape 2" legends.

Steve

[pcking]

I guess the RC1550 wouldnt have the same function then as the RC 1580 ???

[srb]

It does not.

Steve

[Audio_ElF]

Do you have any devices connected direct to the RC1550 (via analogue RCA)? If not, then using the pre-amp doesn't really make sence to me.

Connect the RB991 direct to the pre-outs of your AVR. And connect the CM9 to the output of the RB991. The in-wall Jamo I would ignore (or connect direct to TV for when not using full AV system).

Sell the RC1550. Unless you add an analogue source (DAC or CD player) it's not adding anything but complication.

Eloise

[pcking]

I'll be using the ps3 rca outs for cd/sacd/ blu ray(2ch) playback for the moment.
Then later buy a sacd/cd player and maybe a turntable . The 5.1 would be done by the AVR and the Jamo and subwoofer.Does this make sense
THANKS PAUL

[srb]

I thought the reason for a stereo preamp might have been that you also had several analog sources (a really good CD player or external DAC with superior DACs to the Yamaha, or a phono stage, etc.).

But if your sources are all digital, except for simultaneous analog connection to the AVR for Zone 2 duty, I would have to agree with hurin and Eloise and perhaps regroup with some kind of equipment swap.

However, if you got a surround processor like the RSP-1069 like hurin suggested, you would need additional amplification beyond the 3-channel RB-991 for the surround channels.

Another option might be to swap the RC-1550 and RXV-3900 for a Surround Receiver that is regarded as having superior 2 channel sound (and superior analog bypass if you add a phono stage) to the Yamaha, such as the Rotel RSX-1550 or Anthem MRX 300/500, using their amplifiers for surround duty (as you are now doing with the Yamaha).

But yes, in the scheme of things, I agree that the separate stereo preamp, particularly one without HT bypass, might not make a lot of sense in your application.

Steve