My 950 arrived yesterday to replace my Denon receiver 2700. My system currently has 7 channel Anthem PAV7, NHT speakers, Toshiba DVD player, Kimber Kable and AudioQuest cables. I'll comment on 950 next month after the burn-in period. For now I have two questions:
1. Is it true that the cross-over settings don't affect anything in the systems with no subwoofer ?
2. Model 950 has only 2 output jacks for front speakers. In order to bi-amp the front speakers, I have to use the Y adaptor. Is there any better way to do this ?
Any comments will be appreciated.
tvd51

1. No, it is not quite true. If there is no sub, the mains must be set to "large" and the crossover specified for them will be irrelevent because they are getting a full range signal (this is true of any channel set to "large"). Other channels can be set to "small" and they will cross over to the mains at the point selected for those channels. The LFE channel will also be merged into the mains in the absence of a sub.

2. I'm afraid that I don't know of any way other than a Y adapter to bi-amp the 950. There are some others around here who have delved into bi-amping who may have more to offer.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

The proper way to bi-amp the fronts would be to use an external crossover (no 'y' jack).

Run a cable from the FL output of the 950 to the input of a 2-way active crossover. Then run the LP output of the crossover to the LF amp and the HP output of the crossover to the HF amp. Do the same for the 950's FR output.

Otherwise, I'm misunderstanding the term 'bi-amp the front speakers'.

Thanks gonk for the X-over answer. It makes sense that way.

Thanks bossobass for the bi-amp answer. I don't have an active X-over at the moment but I'll consider that. Doing your way will bypass the speakers' built-in X-over, right ?

tvd51

You NHT speakers probably have two sets of binding posts on the rear attached with straps. If that is the case removing the straps seperates the HP and LP crossovers inside the speaker. You don't need an external active crossover unless you bypass the internal crossovers inside the speakers. You can send full range signals to each of the binding post sets and the internal crossovers will filter and pass on the appropriate frequencies.
Which model NHT's?

My speakers are NHT 2.5i, which are currently hooked up the way you described. As I mentioned in a previous mail, I had to use Y adaptor to send signals from 950 to 4 channels on Anthem PAV7 to bi-amp NHT.
I have 2.5i for about 4 years but haven't exploited its potential with Denon receiver 2700 until recently when I bought Anthem PAV7 and 950. My system is now good enough for me, except the source (Toshiba 4700 DVD player) that can be upgraded to something like Denon 2900.
tvd51