I have a 950 setup question and a request for amp suggestions.
I got an Outlaw 950 for my 5.1 home theater set-up (replacing a Denon AVR2801 used as a preamp) and will be hooking it to a Sherbourn 5/1500 (5 X 200 wpc). In Mar., I�ll replace the Aperion 522 bookshelf speakers in the L/R front with the Aperion 533 T.
I want to try a 7.1 home theater setup, my �home theater� is also the living room; I need to decide if the benefits of 7.1 offset the problems posed by adding rear surrounds i.e. ugly room. Also, I need to drive a pair of Aperion bookshelf speakers in the dining room (second zone, used at low volume levels).
I want to try using the Denon 2801 as an amp to drive the rear surrounds and the second zone speakers as a temporary solution. I have read the previous post on this topic (thanks to all!), please check if I�ve got it right.
The Denon AVR has 5.1 external inputs, so I run the interconnects from the rear surrounds on the 950 to the SR and SL ext in on the Denon, set the Denon�s adjustments to zero (i.e. speaker distance, master volume, channel volume) and use the 950�s adjustments. I connect the 950 �B zone� L/R interconnects to the Denon�s FR FL. Connect the speakers to the Denon same way. Right?
I know the Denon as amp will look ugly, is the sound out (for rear surrounds only) a fair test of 7.1 movie sound?
The amp question is: What kind of amp set up would best replace the Denon if I keep the exiting Sherbourn? The issue is the �B zone� speakers run at low levels and I�m not sure what power levels are needed for the rear surrounds in 7.1 (as processed by the 950). Should I try to match the 200 wpc of the Sherbourn? Would a low power, 6 channel, bridgeable amp (6X40) make sense, bridging 2 pair for the rear surrounds 2 X 80 wpc, leaving a pair of 40 wpc for the �B zone�?
I know an Outlaw 7 channel amp/990 solves most of the problems, but I�m trying to find a solution which lets me live with the the equipment I've got for a while before taking that step.
Thanks

Your connection scheme is correct, oaks. The Denon acting as an amp is a reasonable test of 7.1 - it's not as good an amp as the Sherbourn, but it's only driving rear surrounds.

There's no need to match the Sherbourn's 200W with a permanent rear surround amp. A lower power stereo amp would work fine, or you could get an amp like the 6x40 one you mentioned and also take care of the second zone.