Using Receiver with Amplifier Question

[ahender]

Hi:

Still in the planning process for my HT system.

When using a multi-channel amplifier with an AV receiver, is the power from the AV receiver automatically turned off when the pre-outs are connected?

If no, do some AV receivers have on/off switches?

thanks...alan

[Mag_Neato]

The amps are on, but only at idle. If there is no signal requiring power from them, they simply draw minimun voltage. I ran a NAD integrated amp like that for a while. I used the pre-amp stage to run an outboard separate amp, while tapping it's own 2 channels to power surround speakers off an outboard Pro-Logic processor.

[ahender]

Thanks.

I assume when you state "no incoming signal" you are referring to speakers hooked up to the AV receiver.

No speakers to AV receiver = no power draw.

alan

[BradJudy]

No speakers to AV receiver = no power draw.

It depends on the type of amp. Class A/B amps draw some power at idle. A class D amp should draw almost nothing and a class A (I don't know of any receivers that have class A amps) draws a lot of power even at idle.

It would be nice if there was a way to totally cut power to the amp section if it isn't in use, but I don't know if any receivers have that type of feature.

[Canoga56]

The Cambridge Audio 540/640 series receivers amp section turns off completely if you run amps. The bad thing about it is it's all or none which means you can't use reciever power on the rear channels if you only want to amp the fronts.

Other than that they are very nice, great SQ.