I'll start this off by confessing that I've been considering ordering some more speakers. I wanted to run a second pair of mains off of my ecost Denon AVR 1083/3803. I can't say if I forgot or never knew, but there is no B-side with this receiver. What's up with that, Mr. Denon? So, I go to BB and I notice that they are clearancing out the Yamaha htr-5790, and it has an A/B switch. Should I jump on this before they are gone or is there some trick which will allow me to run a second pair of mains with the Denon?

Bruce,

I am running a Yammie HTR 5660 that I have been very happy with so far. Having said that, at some point I can see buying something better. There is a common consensus around here that Denon is higher up on the food chain. i.e.-build quality, dependability, stability of the amps, etc.

Before making a lateral or downward move, I would keep the Denon & try one of these first. (Scroll down, there are a few)

Shawn

Bruce, it depends how you'd use the second mains. A receiver that has A and B main terminals is just a parallel connection to the same amplifier channel. If you'd run a parallel set of speaker wires from the front terminals to the second speakers, that would be the same electrically. Of course without an A/B switch the second speakers would always be on at the same time.

Another possibility if you wouldn't use your sixth and seventh amp channels for back surround speakers is to instead use them in a zone 2 mode for the second set of main speakers. The manual explains how to do this.

JohnK, that's not always true. My Onkyo runs the B channels off the surround amps, in an either/or configuration. Either I listen to 5.1 (or DSP-ized) music in the main room, or stereo on both rooms. Basically, if B speakers are engaged, I can only listen to my mains in the living room.

John,

Of course, your right once again. How silly of me. I'll have to try this with some lamp chord.

Is that a minor 7th or something?

I find it hard to beleive that Denon does not have A/B switching. My Denon 2802 does it and it is an older, less powerful model. Hell, my Denon 2700 from 1998 did it.