Hi guy. I have a RX-A3040 and currently running in 7.2.1 setup.

I'm want to add an external amp for my front to
- off load my front from the AVR
- experiment with bi-amping my front
- do a 7.4.1 setup
- second zone.

To do this I'll need at least a 4 channel amp. I'm considering the used market to keep the cost down.

My plan is to first run my front on the external amp. This will allow me to do 7.4.1 setup. I'll see if there is an overall improvement in system performance in 7.2.1 setup. After that I'll experiment with bi-amping. If there is improvement then I'll leave it at that and the second zone might be served by BT3 later or when the front amp/speakers is upgraded. I can also NOT do bi-amp and use the extra channel for second zone if the need arise.

To sum the possible layout:
- external bi-amp front
- 7.4.1 setup
- 2nd zone later (BT3 maybe or when upgrade front speaker/amp)

or

- external amp front
- 7.4.1 setup
- external amp second zone

Most amp out there (I know of and within reach) will only do 2 channel, while they do A+B most are not bi-amp but bi-wire. I say this because if using A only min. 4 ohm, but A+B is min. 8ohm. And all my speakers are 6 ohm.

After looking around I have 2 possible options:
A pair of Kenwood KM-X1000 listed at RM2500
or
ADCOM GFA-6000 + GTP-600 listed at RM1588
or
Emotiva BasX-A300 (but where's the fun in experimenting?)

My question is will these amps allow me to do the above?
Are they at least as powerful and as clean as my RX-A3040?

With the KM-X1000 I should have enough power. Being separate amps, I have better redundacy if one goes down.

With the GFA-6000 I'm thinking to drive my HF using the 2 rear 60w(8ohm)-100w(4ohm) channel and the LF using the 2x100w(8ohm)-150w(4ohm) front channels.
As a bonus I could even drive my center using the 3rd front channel.
The pre-amp will probably be useful when I setup second zone.

[attachmentid=9409212][attachmentid=9409213][attachmentid=9409214]

My speakers are as below:
Front Yamaha NS-F160, Nominal/Max 50W/300W, 30Hz-36kHZ (-10dB), 87dB/2.83V/1m
Center Yamaha NS-C160, Nominal/Max 30W/80W, 60Hz-38kHZ (-10dB), 86dB/2.83V/1m
Front Height Yamaha NS-B160, Nominal/Max 30W/80W, 60Hz-38kHZ (-10dB), 82dB/2.83V/1m
Surround Back, Yamaha NS-B330, Nominal/Max 40W/120W, 55Hz-45kHZ (-10dB), 87dB/2.83V/1m
Surround Side, ELAC Debut B6, Nominal/Max ?W/120W, 44Hz-20kHZ (?dB), 87dB/2.83V/1m

I have been busy optimizing my system after adding an external amp, moving to 7.1.4 setup. I'm so glad that I got myself a multi-channel amp as this have opened up my setup and listening options greatly.

So with some time today I decided to visit my multi-zone options. Here's what I found out.

[attachmentid=9470656]

I have always wondered why there is a picture of a zone in the amp assign but without then speaker icon in it. If you try to read the manual, you might get confused as I did.

Basically what the setup page is saying for 9ch+FRONT is
- 9 channels is being driven by the amp
- C, SL, SR, SBL, SBR (5ch) driven by fixed amp channels (denoted by speakers without color outline)
- FPL, FPR, RPL, RPR (4ch) driven by assignable amp channels EXTRA SP1 and EXTRA SP2 (denoted by green and orange outline)
- +FRONT (2ch) is being driven by external amp (denoted by red outline)

So far so good. But what is the Zone2 picture doing there? No speakers? But why? That's because IT IS for the zone pre-outs. In this case it is for Zone2.

[attachmentid=9470682]

At the back panel, you'll see 2 pairs of RCA labeled ZONE OUT/PRE OUT, one pair for ZONE2/F.PRESENCE and the other ZONE3/R.PRESENCE.

Now when you have a power amp assign where the zone graphic(s) in the setup shows a zone WITHOUT speakers, this means that pre-out is active for its use.

This means I keep all the 11 speakers and 2 zone pre -outs connected (and their respective speakers) connected. I can use 11 main channels and 1 zone simultaneusly or choose Basic/7ch+FRONT+1ZONE assignment (sacrifice R.PRNS) and have 9 main channels and 2 zones simultaneusly. If you want ATMOS, Basic would be better since you'll lose SB instead of RP.

I hope with this understanding, it will be much easier to setup the amp compared to reading the freaking manual that forces you to jump all over several sections with cryptic footnotes to boot.

Yes I have tested it and it works for me. . I'm using 9ch+FRONT. Zone2 by pre-out.

hi yes please maybe can go to 5k max if that helps? my priority is quality over latest technology, i would prefer the best of breed of surround sound minus the new stuff like dolby atmos

Hi guys

I'm planning to get a midrange HT with a 5k budget

Any good shops to demo a HT system? Or any recommended speaker systems?

Thx

Guys, quick question on speaker and amp compatibility.

Let say i have  LCR speaker- 6ohm 40w-160w and surround speaker 6ohm 30w-120w.

And i want to  upgrade to a RX-A3060 yamaha which specs says Dynamic power/Ch(Front L/R, 8/6/4/2 ohms) = 175/220/295/410w.

Is it advisable to use the same speaker, as power is almost the maximum speaker can handle? or am i reading this wrong? i am still learning a bit. appreciate any sifus guide...

Hi guys, last year I purchased a Yamaha YPS 1600 soundbar. I'm very happy with it so far but I want to make some upgrades. Below are my ideas:-

1. Would like to add rear speakers. (What speakers would you recommend which is good and affordable rather than the Yamaha Musiccast 20?
2. What subwoofer should I use?
3. How can I achieve a Dolby Atmos setup?
4. What will be the best configuration for the entire setup?

Appreciate your feedback on this. Thanks, guys.

Thanks man. Can u explain further on point 4 option that you suggested?