HeavenKnows Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 Hi, Forumers. I am not technical but I am curious about AV Amps that are 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1... When one fires up the amp, are all the outputs running even when not in use?? For example, if I am just using the amp for stereo 2 channel listening, are the rest of the 3, 4, and 5 outputs consuming power? ??? Similarly, if I have a 7.1 amp, but hook up only 5.1 speakers, when I play a movie, are the remaining 2 outputs wasting power?? ??? So if I just need 5.1, then I don't need to purchase a 7.1 AVR otherwise, I will be wasting electricity and power!! >:( Thanks!
Darthfunk Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 You should be able to set Stereo 2.1 during CD play back or 5.1 during Movie play back on your receiver. All receiver should be able to select play back mode be in playing CD, DVD etc This will also depend on how many speakers are connected to the receiver. So even if you select 5.1 mode it will only output the fronts if thats the only speakers connected. No power will be wasted on unuse channels.
HeavenKnows Posted July 12, 2007 Author Posted July 12, 2007 Thanks for the reply... I see, that's interesting. So when the amp detects that I am playing PCM (2 channel stereo), the remaining 3 will not be consuming power for nothing?? Very smart! ;D
DIRTRUN Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 Hiya, I am no expert but if you are going to bring wastage of electricity into de issue then yes I suppose it is a form of wastage to use an avr for playing 2 channels... but I think in most avr designs they only use one big capacitor to power all channels (tats why sum swear by de goodness of using a separate monoblock to power one channel only) so tats hardly any wastage if tats de case... But if like most of us here who do listen to 2 channels occasionally(or frequently, it doenst really matter) and still want de processing for a dd or dts encoded soundtrack for dat extra kick when watching movies then there really isnt much of a choice, is there? On only using 5.1 when de avr can do 7.1 ... well its a trend thing as time goes by I doubt you ll be able to find a 5.1 only receiver brand new( can u, still?) so like it or not you ll be getting de 7.1 avr to power ur 5.1 spkrs or 3.0 or 3.1 for those under constraints from WAF and tats tat. Just my 2cts Dirtrun
HeavenKnows Posted July 12, 2007 Author Posted July 12, 2007 Dirtrun, yeah.. i quite agree with your comments. Most of us can't afford the $$ or even the space to have separate systems for 2 channel and surround playback. And most would choose an amp that can do-it-all. Agree .... that 5.1 amps are difficult to find now, mostly are 6.1 or 7.1. But again, space and $ constraints may not allow everyone to go 6.1 or 7.1. In fact, 5.1 already quite good, leh. :) Funny thing also, all the DVDs I see out there are 5.1 Dolby or 5.1 DTS. Never have I come across a 7.1 DVD. Wierd right?! :-\
DIRTRUN Posted July 12, 2007 Posted July 12, 2007 Dirtrun, yeah.. i quite agree with your comments. Most of us can't afford the $$ or even the space to have separate systems for 2 channel and surround playback. And most would choose an amp that can do-it-all. Agree .... that 5.1 amps are difficult to find now, mostly are 6.1 or 7.1. But again, space and $ constraints may not allow everyone to go 6.1 or 7.1. In fact, 5.1 already quite good, leh. :) Funny thing also, all the DVDs I see out there are 5.1 Dolby or 5.1 DTS. Never have I come across a 7.1 DVD. Wierd right?! :-\ Hi, 6.1 oso difficult to find now as de marketeers seems to tout 7.1 as an advantage... but yeh you are right 5.1 is good enuff. Even though I run 4 surround spkrs on my old 6.1 avr (my rear backs have two outputs) there is only a very little diff (probably none at all except in my mind) compared to 2 surrounds... On 7.1 dvds I think you have to go hi def la , normal dvds can go max is 6.1discrete thru DTS only and tat oso sum titles onleee... back to 7.1 audio, dat have to get new avr summore wif hdmi ( 1.3 ?)connectivity. On older 7.1 audio it is just a form of processing from your avr's dsp onlee and not from de source... Cheers Dirtrun
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