Going to 7.1 with a 1050

In looking at upgrading from a 5.1 configuration to either a 6.1 or 7.1 configuration, I have been reading that while the signals to both rear surround speakers is the same using two rear speakers gives a better sound field and ultimately a better result. If these statements are correct, then it would seem that the 1050 can perform the preprocessing necessary to go to 7.1, the consideration then becomes the the best way to split the signal and amplify it properly (on a limited budget).

In my particular configuration, I am only using the 1050 as an amp for the center front and l&r surrounds. The 1050 while it has the preouts doesn't have any obvious amp inputs. Is there any way I can somehow harness one of the other two amps for the 2nd rear surround? This is another feature my 10+ year old Yamaha receiver had that the 1050 seems to be missing.

Alternatively, if I use the 1050's single center surround amp to power both speakers, it seems like I would need to connect the two rear speakers in parallel, which depending upon the speakers I select would reduce the overall restance to 4 ohms (or less). Currently, my 1050 is set at 8 ohms. If I use the single channel and reset the 1050 to 4 ohms will this have a negative impact on the other speakers?

At this point, alternatives like getting another amp just for the rear surrounds are out due to space considerations. Going to a 950 with a 770 while the most desirable is out of my price range. I am not sure that the 7100 would work as well as my current Parasound 1200a amp (at 205 watts) for the front speakers. A more realistic solution would seem to be to replace the 1050 with a more flexible, modern receiver and use it just for the surrounds like I would like to do with the 1050. The only other option may be to get a 200m and use it for the two rear center channels connected in parallel. I might be able to fit the 200m directly on top of my 1050 (raising cooling concerns).

Finally, I read somewhere about connecting the two rear surround center speakers out of phase? Can anyone comment on that?

[This message has been edited by 73Bruin (edited May 15, 2003).]

As for 6.1/7.1, the only processing I am aware of that produced true 7.1 ("stereo" surround back channels) is Lexicon's Logic 7. Dolby EX, DTS ES, Cirrus Extra Surround, and the rest send the same signal to both surround back channels, exactly as you have read.

The 1050's amp channels are dedicated -- there is no way to re-assign a channel. That feature does still show up in some receivers (I think some of Denon's higher-end receivers can do this, as well as a few other brands), but as far as I know it's pretty much unheard of these days in the 1050's price range.

If you do wire the two speakers in parallel to the center surround amp channel on the 1050, then you will need to switch the 1050 to 4 ohms (per page 23 of the manual). As far as I know, this would have no negative impact on the other speakers. The 1050 runs pretty darn warm. I would definitely not set anything (including a Model 200) directly on top of it.

Wiring the surround back speakers out of phase is a new one on me -- can't help you there. Sorry.

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

gonk:

Thank you for the detailed, timely feedback. It sound like I have little to lose by trying the 1050 with the rears surrounds wired in parallel and see how it sounds.