2. amps-preamps
  3. 178741-175948

Connect speakers to my new Denon AVR-x4700H Receiver or to my Outlaw 7125 7-Channel Amp

What should I do?  Should I can connect my speakers [5.1 plus an added zone 2] to my new Denon AVR-x4700H receiver, or pre-amp all channels from the Denon out to my Outlaw 7125 7-channel amp and power them that way?  Both units put out 125 watts per channel. If I pre-amp out to the Outlaw, Denon recomments I turn off the internal amplifier to reduce any interference.  I've no reason to think my Outlaw is in anything but excellent condition.  Speakers are all Paradigm Studios (40-v3, cc 470, ADP-470s), which I suppose are kind of vintage now.  All are rated at 8 ohm.  My hearing isn't great anyway, so I'll probably not be able to discern small differences in either setup.  My use is mainly movies and television (streaming services, some blu-ray disks) but I do listen to music too; just not as often.  I wonder if the Denon would appreciate if the Outlaw "took the heat"?  But I don't know what, if anything, I would give up to do that.  

If anyone has an opinion I'd love to hear it.

viralata
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,879 posts
 

I had a 7125, great amp.... that's because ATI built it.     I would use the pre outs for sure.  

maxwave's avatar
maxwave
984 posts
 

Your Denon AVR  will probably run cooler if you use the pre outs.

Denons  run rather hot and heat is not gear frendly.

My 2 cents

soix
9,538 posts
 

So here’s the deal — the Outlaw amp will outperform your Denon.  Period.  But the problem is, if you care at all about music the preamp section of the Denon sucks.  It just does.  Almost all but the most expensive AVR preamp sections suck.  If you care at all about 2-channel music you need to invest in a decent stereo preamp.  Preamps make all the difference in audio.  You can seamlessly blend the stereo preamp in with your AVR and with the push of a button take the Denon out of the loop completely for stereo listening. I’m not going into the details here, but if this option might be of interest let me know and I’ll give you the details in how to make the connections.  It’s insanely simple, but do not buy a preamp until you tell me you’re interested because I need to check the connections on your Denon to make sure this can work.  My opinion is even someone with limited hearing can appreciate better sound

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