STR-DH820 sharing 5.1 with Marrantz stereo amp?

[boofie28370]

I currently have a Marrantz KI signature amp powering my front left and right speakers and a Yamaha DSP-E492 powering my centre, rears and sub.  This allows me to enjoy high quality stereo audio and 5.1 surround sound.  I would like to change my Yamaha for the Sony STR-DH820 but only if I can integrate it into my system to allow my Marantz to continue to power the front left and right speakers.  Is this possible with the Sony.

[KDL-CX520]

Welcome to Sony forum

Kindly advise what it the input source for both amps? and how they are currently connected together ? because this depend upon it

[Bravia55HX]

Hi,

the DH820 is a very capable 5 star A/V reciever with 7.1 output and would happily drive all your speakers very nicely and im not sure why you wish to split the system up this way, however the guys on the What Hi Fi forums are the best to deal with your type of question, no disrespect to Sony but this is a bit of a mixed bag.

[boofie28370]

Hi, thanks to both for responses.

My Yamaha amp receives my multichannel surround sources (DVD, TV, cable).  All my stereo sources (Denon CD, Sony tuner, I-pod) are plugged directly into my Marrantz amp.  The Yamaha amp is conected to the Marrantz via a pair of pre-outs for the front left and right channels.  My front left and right Sony floor standing speakers are bi-wired to the Marrantz amp.  The Yamaha amp handles the rears, centre and sub.  This arrangement enables great stereo performance (which I don't expect the Sony AV amp to produce as it's not a dedicated stereo amp) whilst using the same front speakers for both stereo and 5.1 without the need to swap speaker cables over.  The Yamaha is rather outdated now and doesn't have HDMI inputs hence the desire to swap it for the Sony AV amp

[Bravia55HX]

Hi,

bit too complicated for my liking! lol, anyway i thought i would post the link of the tech specs for the Sony for your perusal.

http://www.whathifi.com/review/sony-str-dh820/specs

[KDL-CX520]

Hello Boofie,

Thank you for explanation of the current connections between devices.

If you are looking mainly for sound quality i believe the Yamaha will win the game because i review its specs in the below link, which show much details about  frequancy response range, THD % , S/N ratio which are very important measurments factors for sound quality. In adition Yamaha is one of the reputed brand names speciallist in sound products in theater and others musician field

Yamaha specs

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/dsp-e492/?mode=model

Sony Specs

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/hcs-home-cinema-receiver/str-dh820/tab/technicalspecs

If you are looking mainly for new features before the sound quality , so Sony will win with your current configuration , because it has newer connections technology

BTW , I own Yamaha home equilizer ( very old Analogue model almost 20 years or so) but it produce perfect and accurate sound equilization which let me keep it until now.

Best regards