AV processor

[filipe]

Dear all,
Current system: Arcam Diva CD72 and A75 amp, Kef Q55.2, etc.

I would like to make my system home cinema compatible, without replacing any of my present components, as I am very happy with the sound and music is more important for me than films. So adding an AV processor seemed ideal, but I would like one in silver to mach the rest of my system, as all of the components (Tuner, MD, CD, Amp) are in silver. The only processor at a sensible price that I’m aware is the Yamaha DSPE800, which is bulky and black. Any suggestions on sensible priced (+/- £300) silver AV processors? Any suggestions welcome!
Could I use a normal AV amp/receiver as a processor (so i can still use my stereo amp to listen to music) without puting any more obstacles in the path of the music signal?

Thanks for your time,
Fil

[Nike]

Filipe,
I'm not aware of anything like the DSP-E800 in silver. (I have one, but as most of my stuff is black this didn't bother me)

Providing it has pre-outs there is nothing to stop you using an AV amp in conjunction with your arcam kit connected to a spare 'line-in'. It just means that 2 channels of its amplification are unused.

A DSP-E800 is basically and AVamp with 2 channels of power amplification missing.

Welcome BTW

[ 10-07-2001: Message edited by: Nike ]

[russraff]

Right, what you can do is this:

1) Get a reasonable AV amp with pre-outs for the front two channels at least. Read the reviews on this site to give you some hints as to which one. Sony’s 940 is being sold at ~£250 to £300 and came in silver as well as black.
2) Next buy a pair of interconnects and connect the pre-out terminals on the back of your shiny new AV amp, to the “Aux in” or “AV” input on the back of your Arcam 75.
3) Connect your CD player to the Arcam, along with your front speakers.
4) Connect everything else to the AV amp.

In this way, you are bypassing the AV amp for stereo, and using the Arcam as a kind of poweramp in AV. You will need to switch the Arcam to “Aux” or whatever the input is from the av amp, and set the correct volume, but other than that, your’e fine.

Russell

[filipe]

thanks for the above replies.
refering to the second one:
Does it mean that when in AV with the mentioned set up the arcam would control the front speakers volume, while the Sony AV controls the other speakers volume level?
How would I set the correct volume in the arcam Amp?
Out of curiosity, regarding only the AV performance, is there an advantage in using the arcam stereo amp front speakers rather than the Sony AV amp?
Cheers
Fil

[Nike]

Filipe,
You would have to set the arcam amp to a preset vol (say 12 o clock) then balance up the rears & centres using test tone/SPL meter. The Sony AV vol would then control the vol of all speakers. The arcam vol would be returned to this pre-set position every time you use it for AV duties.
Regarding only AV performance, I'd have thought the arcam amp would be better quality than the Sony.
To not use it would involve having both amps connected to the speakers and the introduction of some kind of speaker switching.

[slingshot]

Don't the new Arcam amps have a processor setting ? My old Arcam 8 had a processor/AV input that would take the input signal at a fixed gain and bypass the volume control.

[Nike]

Even better then!
This would mean the signal is bypassing the arcam's pre-amp stage and just using the power stages.