Anyone ever use an Onkyo A7 as a preamp... controls I am not familiar with...

[JVCSanyoOnkyoWolzeNikko]

Hello to all... New to here - hoping to mine info from those more knowledgeable as well as offer MHO when I think it's relevant and/or appropriate.

I have an Onkyo A7 Integrated, purchased used about 10 years ago. Luv the look of that massive Aluminum faceplate and all those choicesfor settings and filters.
Glad it has Pre-Outs and Main-Ins, giving me even more flexibility.

WHICH LEADS TO QUESTION #1: Anyone ever use an Onkyo A7 as a preamp? Does it allow the A7 to work better (cleaner, faster, more efficiently?) by not having the amp drawing power within it?

I have experimented with it as a preamp, with the Nikko DC Alpha 230 I also purchased used - and I like the 'clean-ness" and "punch" of the sound...
But the Integrated A7 is no slouch either. Warmer and fuller than with the Nikko... As pre or integrated: it appears to 'look into" the music with a depth I have enjoy experiencing...

QUESTION #2: The A7 has controls that I am not familar with (how or when to use) - options like Turnover Frequency, Loudness, Subsonic Filter and High Filter.
Could someone please explain them to me - and how they might apply to using them with a Box/Bookshelf Speaker like an EMI Scope 62 or an Ohm Model E, or a home-made speaker enclosure with a down-firing port
(8" coaxial driver Peak/Coral 8CX-50: 15w, 16 ohm)...

Using JVC QL-A7 tt, Sanyo PLUS35T tuner and Marantz SA8001 SACD as sources - don't know if that matters and/or changes anything...

Looking forward to info and opinions - any replies appreciated... ENJOY YOUR MUSIC. Best Wishes. Bill

 

[NorthStar]

Hi, :hi:

1. It seems that you answered yourself your own first question.
- By using an external amp from the Main Ins and Pre Outs, the Onkyo A7's amp section is only drawing very little power (standby), so the precious preamp section doesn't suffer the heat generated around from the amp section. That's my guess.

2. a) Turnover Frequency: I'm not sure; the audio frequency (below) point where the filters are starting to be applied?
...Do you have a manual?

b) Loudness control: Is it the switch type or a volume knob type? Anyway, it is to compensate for lack of dynamics @ lower listening volume level. - It usually boosts the bass frequencies up to a certain point; sometimes it is indicated in your manual.

c) Subsonic Filter: For the Phono preamp section; it reduces the amount of low feedback from the cart to your speakers. ...Experiment. - The lower bass frequencies (below 20Hz, subbass). The resonance can be somewhere between 5Hz and 18Hz.

d) High Filter: Also usually for the Phono preamp section (but can also be applied with some tuners, tape decks, etc.).
- It reduces the noise at higher audio frequencies.

* I'm no expert, and those are only guesses. Usually I check inside my instruction/user manual and then I experiment.

 

[JVCSanyoOnkyoWolzeNikko]

(Bob) NorthStar: Thanks for the reply...

So I interpret your answer to mean I would prolong the life of the piece by using an external power amp thru the A7 and the Pre-Outs connection (HEAT is one of the DESTROYERS)...

I think that, because of the age of the the unit, I still should have it evaluated and see if the caps or anything else needs replacement - I don't know what it sounds like if they're bad or on the way out - and because of its age, the unit is probably out of spec anyway. The ole addage of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" in my book does not apply to most mechanical things including gas stoves and BBQs, cars, stereo equipment and guns. They do need evaluation from time to time, less there be some type of catastropic event that could have been avoided...

Good Suggestion: I'll do an internet search for the manual - I'm sure it is downloadable...

Still confused by the controls (except loudness, which I can hear when I engage it...):

Turnover Frequency - Specs list Bass at 400 Hz, 125 Hz; Treble at 2kHz, 8kHz... WHF? Confused as how engaging this would affect the sound?

Specs for the unit lists:
The Subsonic Filter (an On or Off button): On it is set at 10Hz (so I guess that anything below that would be cut out and not transmitted...?)
and the High Filter (an On or Off button): On it is set at 5kHZ (so I guess that anything above that would be cut out and not transmitted...?)
The Specs for the unit list the Frequency Respone it performs is from 2Hz-80kHz +/- 1dB - so I guess these would actually do something (even if I would not hear them because of the other equipment constraints). So I surmise from what you wrote that by engaging these, they would cut out the audio signal and any else including feedback, resonance and/or noise transmitted from the CD player or TT at those frequencies.
If this correct, then there's no reason not to keep these on all the time...

ANOTHER QUESTION: IYHO - would this unit benefit from having new speaker connections (instead of those old Press and Clip ones) and a removeable power cord connection installed (the power cord is directly wired into the unit).

Thanks again for your reply and efforts... ENJOY YOUR MUSIC. Best Wishes. Bill

 

[NorthStar]

Key point: Experiment. . ..Each source, and each recording is different.
Personally I'm the type who doesn't like to introduce filters in my audio signals, but not all audio signals are created equal.
Same for the Loudness control; I don't use it in audio components where it is a feature.

Are you good with diy audio electronics? ...Then replace those cheap speaker's terminations with quality 5-way speaker's binding posts. ...And install an AC power receptacle so that you can use an after market power cord.

For the love, for the ♪

 

[NorthStar]

* Onkyo A5/A7 brochure scans - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

** Onkyo A-7 - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

*** Onkyo A-7 on thevintageknob.org

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