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9.2 Atmos AVR questions on pre-amp/channels

drfrink24

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Sep 24, 2021
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Looking to try either the Integra 3.4 or the Onkyo RZ50, both of which are 9.2 enabled AVRs. I was looking thru the back panel though, and found that you cannot have both rear channel AND overhead Atmos enabled at the same time.

Question though; Is this a processing limitation AND an amplification problem? Or just amplification?

Both of the amplifiers have pre-outs labeled "height 2 | surr. back".. Could I have the AVR amplifier powering the Surr. Back, and then have the height 2 pre-out going to an external amp and powering Height 2?
 

Soundmixer

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The Integra has 9 channels of amplification, so it should be able to run both surrounds and height channels simultaneously. What makes you think you could not?

DRX-3.4_MDD_Rear_20200714-1-scaled.jpg
 
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drfrink24

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The Integra has 9 channels of amplification, so it should be able to run both surrounds and height channels simultaneously. What makes you think you could not?

DRX-3.4_MDD_Rear_20200714-1-scaled.jpg
It can't run surround + surround back + height 1 + height 2. I ended up downloading the user manual and it does indeed show that you can use an external amplifier for height 2, then use internal amplification for surround back + height 1
 

Matt0305

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The Onkyo RZ50 can process 11 channels with pre-outs for height 2 and requires an external amp for 7.1.4. The Integra 3.4 can only process 9 channels an is limited to 5.1.4.
 
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drfrink24

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The Onkyo RZ50 can process 11 channels with pre-outs for height 2 and requires an external amp for 7.1.4. The Integra 3.4 can only process 9 channels an is limited to 5.1.4.
I must have accidentally viewed the PDF for the RZ50 vs. the 3.4.
 

Soundmixer

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It can't run surround + surround back + height 1 + height 2. I ended up downloading the user manual and it does indeed show that you can use an external amplifier for height 2, then use internal amplification for surround back + height 1
The Integra is a 9.2 amp. Of course, it cannot run a second pair of heights without an external amp.
 
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