Ep 5: Do NOT Buy a Home Theater Receiver Without Pre Outs

Onkyo TX-RZ50

Outlaw Audio 7000x - 7 channel amplifier

Outlaw Audio 5000x - 5 channel amplifier

Episode 5 of my tiny Atmos home theater build

[byron]

One of the main problems with most of any AVR pre-outs, and nobody really talks about it, is the output voltage/sensitivity of the RCA terminals. Many of them suck at having a decent output voltage. Good luck at finding this information, because very few producers mention this crucial spec in their user manuals. All power amplifiers have a certain input sensitivity on their line level RCA. If there is a substantial gap between the output and the input sensitivities, you can have a problem with reaching the amp's true power potential. So, beware, you should take this into account when going with separates. At least, check the input sensitivity in the amplifier's specs, it's always there. If it's around 1 volt, it should be ok, most of the AVR's can deliver 1 volt at their RCA pre-outs. If your amp has a rated input sensitivity of 1.5 or even 2 volts, well, it may be a hit or miss for your AVR. I just don't understand why ALL the AVR's aren't capable of delivering up to around 2 volts by default, on their pre-outs. Almost all cd/dvd/blu-ray players can do that with ease.

[sagex]

I think this advice is a bit silly. Yes, pre outs are nice. But for 95% of customers the feature is completely superfluous. Most people are buying an AVR to power their speakers not feed an external amp. And, in theory, your future proof comment might make sense if it wasn’t for the fact that for the past 20 years the FIRST thing that ends up being obsolete on an AVR is the processing— the HDMI section and audio codecs. I have 5-10 year old amps that power speakers just as well as any new amp— but they’re collecting dust because the HDMI bandwidth and audio format decoding are now outdated. So if you plan to upgrade to monoblocks or external amps ‘later on’ you might find that by the time that happens you’re going to end up wanting a new receiver anyways for all the new formats and HDMI standards that are undoubtably right around the corner.
But love the video series. Can’t wait to see the final product.

[JamaicaSocial]

This receiver would easily drive those speakers and another set in another room... Its a freaking beast.... Onkyo rep when interviewed says they are very conservative in rating them because they're way more powerful. BUT extra headroom won't hurt especially if you wanna play at reference. Nice series nonetheless

[nonametofame]

I got my rz50 for $430, brand new. I definitely felt spoiled. Gotta love when those random low amazon prices are honored.

[bizmofunyuns]

Audioholics rated this really high, I went with the integra drx 5.4 for 2 and half times the cost 😂, kinda kicking myself for not grabbing the rz70 instead but I love the integra sound.

[SupraManG]

It's interesting that you are taking us along on this theatre trek you're on. I, myself, am also on an upgrade theater trek. So far, I have the front main(KLIPSCH Reference 800-F II Floorstanding speakers, KLIPSCH RP-500C II CENTER SPEAKER, KLIPSCH RP-500M II BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS, KLIPSCH SPL-120SW 12" SUB, DENON AVR-X4800H 9.4 CHANNEL RECEIVER). I'm looking forward to your completion, sir.

[askmatt]

The RZ50 for $900 is the best value currently in the industry. I paid a lot more for mine 3 years ago. The potential issue with the internal amp is a moot point when paired with external amplification. Mine works great and sounds even better. Dirac is amazing. Would love to see you document your experience with Dirac to see if it reconciles with mine. Keep up the great work 🍺

[tkcdac]

If you are the guy who cares more about matching drapes and area rugs, this advice is not for you.

IF you have ever upgraded your computer, used a hammer, cared about making a smashing home theater, then you need to listen to this video.
RCA pre-outs are cool, but XLR pre-outs are a God send. Far less noise, and super easy. Like the author said, buying a USED receiver is a great entry step into using AMPS until you find what you want.

Those outlaw audio amps are an awesome choice for amplification.

[MovieGuy]

Yes... pre-outs can be very useful.

I recently acquired new front left/right speakers that are 4ohm rated and there was no way I was going to allow my AV Receiver to power them and risk damage to my internal amps. I ended up using a 2 channel class A/B amp and the pre-out to power them and it's worked out great for me.

[StevetheTechBro]

I love the RZ50 Im about to pair it with the OSD Nero HTA 5200 I just ordered it yesterday and I’m so excited. I guess I’ll have a video up for it in about a week or so.

[MattyDaddy]

This reviewer is on my short list along with their newer RZ30 🎉! My only concern is Onkyo’s “sound profile”. Dirac is a game changer. 🎉

Thanks for showing what you do with the grounds! I’ve been wondering that for awhile now. 🎉

[herefordian]

Your neighbours are going to love you, with TWO home cinemas in the house! 😉😁

[chrishamilton]

This makes sense if you’re already close to spending a 1000 on a receiver and going 5.1.4. Might as well spend the extra 200 to get one that can expand. Since I knew I would ultimately go 7.1.4 I needed the preouts. I do not need extra amps though in my bed room media system as it can play plenty loud and hit THX levels if needed.

[SealedOrPorted]

There was forum talk awhile back with an industry professional about why their AVP/R do not have grounding plugs. He claimed it was to reduce ground loop hum/buzz in components. Take it for what it's worth because that was years ago and I cannot remember if it was an Anthem thread or something else.

With regard to pre-outs, I agree wholeheartedly. I still use an Anthem MRX-1120 in my theater. It was a nice step up from the Denon 4311, but using the pre-outs and external amplification was a game changer. Hoping to grab one of the Anthem processors soon.

Thanks for the videos, you are an entertaining follow.

[paulc]

If you ever want to feel better about dropping around a grand or so on an avr just look at the price of a Trinnov 32 for a while.

[graysonpeddie]

Haha. I'm keeping my Denon AVR-X3400H for now with only 4 speakers (I live in a temporary space) and I may plan on buying a 4-channel amplifier for my front speakers (JBL Stage A780 that I purchased recently) and surround speakers (Insignia NS-B2111 speakers that I purchased about 15 years ago). Previously I had a Polk Audio T-50 floorstanding speakers that I purchased from Best Buy about maybe 10 years ago before I upgraded to JBL and those speakers do make an improvement but at high volume, if the fronts are set to 40Hz or 60Hz, these speakers will probably make a crackling sound because the Denon AVR-X3400H couldn't handle enough power to send to the front speakers, so I'm planning on getting an amplifier. In the meantime, setting the crossover to 80Hz makes the crackling sound disappear and it worked fine. I kind of want to enjoy listening to my front speakers at lower crossover frequencies, but nah... I need to get me an amplifier for that.

I know my comment seems long, but that's part of my home theater journey. I'm just glad I bought a Denon AVR-X3400H instead of the 3500H because I did not have a need for eARC. I saved some money by buying a discontinued receiver.

[FURognar]

Unfortunately pre-outs dont normally appear till you hit the $1000+ pricepoint.

[The_Ronald_Baez]

I get that this was a video to promote the preouts and their advantages, but you missed something when getting a new receiver: the features of the receiver. I, and I think the gen pop would be too, was more interested in learning about the receiver's features like what it can decode (atmos, dts x, imax, etc.), modes, 4k and/or 8k and/pass-through, those kind of things. It's usually that list that will sell me on receiver before the preouts

[BeefyMon]

The ground connection is for use with a turntable, not for grounding the unit itself. I’m not sure using it that way would be a good idea.

[welderfixer]

George, I hope you are having a ball with this set-up! I know I would be.. Thank you for taking us along.
I may be wrong, but I'm thinking Pre-Outs are great for redundancy and resale value.
About the AM tuner - I wonder if it would be fun to listen to an AM broadcast of an old radio show (Lone Ranger, War of the Worlds, etc.) in all speakers mono mode.
However, AM sounds best on a good tube radio of days gone by, IMO. Yeah, I'm an old fart. Maybe I'll get lucky enough to listen to a McIntosh model 78 receiver system someday.