Home theatre and Pre + Power amp

Need help connecting my new components:
Denon 3910
Yamaha RX-V757
Musical Fidelity 3.2cr Pre-amplifier
Classe CA 150 Power amp
Wharfdale Evo. 3 Fronts/Centre/Rears
Paradigm PS 1000 sub

Background info. On working holiday in Ireland for past 18 months and managed to buy these components. Speakers are back home in South Africa. Relocating in 6 weeks.
So can't play around with the setup as yet.

Issues :1. Do I connect the pre-outs from the 757 to the pre-amp or should I use a Speaker source switch box?
2. If I go the Speaker switch route, can I connect the 3910 to the 757 using a 5.1 interconnect and also to the pre-amp using the stereo outputs.?


Thank you for your valued advice.
Dhes

[Tony8377]

Connect to the preamp, turn the volume up to about 2 o'clock and run the auto setup on the 757. You can connect the denon to both the AV Amp via digital and the Pre via analogue - have a listen and see what you prefer.

Thanks Tony
Do you think I should scrap the speaker switch box option? -
Also, should I connect the sub to the AVR or the power amp?

[Tony8377]

Originally Posted by dHes

Thanks Tony
Do you think I should scrap the speaker switch box option?

I would, given the quality of you stereo system, feeding it through there would probably give much better results on AV than the Yamaha on its own and great Stereao result.

Originally Posted by dHes

Also, should I connect the sub to the AVR or the power amp?

Don't know much about the sub or your speakers. If the sub has high and low level inputs (and they are independent or you are happy to keep manually adjusting them), I would use the low level input from the AV Amp and maybe the high level from the 2 channel Power Amp for music (you connect a second set of speaker cable from the power amp to the sub or use a neutrik connection if the sub has one). Listen to the music with and without the sub connected and see what you prefer, personally I don't have a sub connected to my 2 channel system, its only used for 5 channel AV as I prefer the sound without the sub.

Would the feed through the 757 not compromise stereo playback?
Thanks for your input
Dhes

[Tony8377]

Originally Posted by dHes

Would the feed through the 757 not compromise stereo playback?
Thanks for your input
Dhes

Not sure what you mean?

For stereo playback you would go;

Denon > analogue lead > Pre > Power > Speaker Cable connection to sub & Speaker cable connection to Speakers, so although the AV Amp would be connected it's not doing anything and no signals are being fed through.

For AV listening you would go;

Denon > digital lead > AV Amp > Centre & rears would be driven by the AV Amp (if the Classe is a 2 channel power amp) > sub would be driven by a sub cable from the pre outs to the sub > analogue connection from yamaha Front Left and Rights pre out to MF Pre, volume set at around 2 o'clock > Analogue feed to your power amp > Speaker cable to your speakers.

Gets a bit complicated on first setup but quite straightforward once you've done it a few times.

If this isn't what you mean let me have a slightly broader explanation.

EDIT: I've amended my earlier post as some of the answer could have been interpreted in respect of both questions.

Tony - You are a star !
I was confused.
I did not realise that stereo and AV playback would be completely separate.
The set-up you describe is what I need.
I already have a 5.1 cable - could I use this instead of the digital lead ?
Thank you for assistance
Cheers
Dhes

[Tony8377]

Originally Posted by dHes

Tony - You are a star !
I was confused.
I did not realise that stereo and AV playback would be completely separate.
The set-up you describe is what I need.
I already have a 5.1 cable - could I use this instead of the digital lead ?
Thank you for assistance
Cheers
Dhes

No problem

Most people would say have a listen to both and see . But if you want my opinion given the fact that the Denon is a significantly better DVD proportionatey than the Yamaha AV Amp you may find the internal DACs in the Denon are better than the Dacs in the Yamaha so running it via a 5.1 cable may be better (still have a listen though and don't take my word for it). Cost wise, are you talking about the free 5.1 cable that came in the box? If so you may want to put that in the bin and invest in a proper digital lead (or 6 analogue leads but that may be six times the cost). Mark Grant does a nice digital lead for reasonable money in the cable power buys section or you could buy six of his analogue leads but the cost is mounting. Try this website if you want some cheap but very acceptable cables, they will be sooooo much better than the ones straight out of the box.

One other point is if you have any DVD Audio or SACD disc you will have to use the 5.1 outs on the player to get the full sound - but mst people dont so that may be a thing for later.

Thanks again for your kind help Tony
Got the IXOS 175 6 phono lead
Can't wait to go home and play with my new toys!
Cheers
Dhes