Is it possible to use my JVC JR 401 2-channel stereo receiver with an audio converter to produce 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound?

by Anonymous

I would like to use my current 2-channel receiver - without losing the sound quality of this receiver, to support a Bohlender Graebener 5 speaker set up (with sub). I am looking for an audio converter of some sort to achieve this...any suggestions?

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Hi

Well, it is much easier to use just one amplifier for your whole system, but sometimes you can get a better sound by using a dedicated stereo amp for the front left and right speakers.

One way of doing this is to buy an integrated 5.1/7.1 AV receiver and use this to power your center, surround and subwoofer speakers in the usual way.

However, it is important this AV receiver has 'pre-out' outputs which enable you to send a pre-amplified signal to a power amplifier.

You would then send the front left and right 'pre-outs' to the input of the stereo amplifier, and use the AV receiver to control the volume for everything.

If you are using an integrated stereo amplifier as your second amp, then ideally it should have an input/switch which will bypass it's own pre-amp circuits (volume control). This essentially turns the integrated stereo amplifier into a power amplifier (i.e. it doesn't control the volume, it just powers the speakers).

If you cannot bypass the pre-amp on the stereo amplifier, then this can cause issues as you have two components controlling the volume at different points.

Alternatively, you could buy a standalone surround processor/pre-amp (the Rotel RSP-1570 for example) and another power amplifier for the center, surround and subwoofer speakers.

Basically, it all gets a bit more complicated - but it can be done.

Hope that makes sense.

All the best.

Paul (Site Editor)

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