Amp hook ups

Tha RCA inputs on the amp are for inter-connecting with the preamp/receiver pre-out channels. You then power your speakers with the appropriate amp speaker connections instead of the receiver's. RCA connections are unbalanced and may but not necessarily induce some hum in your system depending on other equipment. Xlr connections are balanced (no hum) but require the same connection types on both source and amp.


Sounds like you are considering powering a 3.1 system or planning on sharing amping duties with your receiver for some channels. Either way you go, try to get something which gives around 200W/channel. You can go with less but my experience has taught me otherwise.



Quote:
Originally Posted by ClarkeBar /forum/post/12873740


Tha RCA inputs on the amp are for inter-connecting with the preamp/receiver pre-out channels. You then power your speakers with the appropriate amp speaker connections instead of the receiver's. RCA connections are unbalanced and may but not necessarily induce some hum in your system depending on other equipment. Xlr connections are balanced (no hum) but require the same connection types on both source and amp.


Sounds like you are considering powering a 3.1 system or planning on sharing amping duties with your receiver for some channels. Either way you go, try to get something which gives around 200W/channel. You can go with less but my experience has taught me otherwise.

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Thanks, your information was very helpful to me. I'll be sharing duties. I have a 7.3 system. So you hook up both the RCA connections and the speaker wire?

Yes. The interconnects (don't overpay...plenty of quality stuff found right here with the forum sponsors...or even Radio Shack Gold series) move the selected channel signals from the receiver/preamp to the amp. The amp then powers the speakers for the channels involved. Obviously if still sharing some amping duties, the receiver will still need to be wired to those speakers/channels not powered by the amp.


Some amps have level input controls for each channel. If using a receiver as preamp, I would suggest setting any level controls for the channels involved to Max. If using a true preamp however, you may have to reduce the input level on the amp if the preamp has a high gain as you will likely not have proper volume tracking control. Since you are likely using a receiver as preamp (as I do) this should not be a concern.


Good Luck.