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Hi Gerard very nice, neat system.  Do you have any probs with running the pre-outs to your Cambridge or is it set up differently?  I tried this but couldn't get the volumes right

[quote user="HDNumpty"]

Hi Gerard very nice, neat system.  Do you have any probs with running the pre-outs to your Cambridge or is it set up differently?  I tried this but couldn't get the volumes right

[/quote] Thanks HD. No problems as the 840 has a fixed input setting. Once I select a level on it for an input (I called this one Sony AV) it cannot be changed. I run the auto calibrator on my Sony receiver and it syncs all the speaker levels. Then I just click the Sony AV input on the 840 and then juist use the receiver for volume et al. Simple! Although I had major problems with my old amp trying to do it - my beloved Creek Evo had to go because of it.

[quote user="darkside82"]v nice i wish my stand was clutter free [/quote] My Misses thinks it's nice to put family photos on the AV stand. Grrrrrr.

Gerrardasnails Nice idea to put photos up, I didnt realise you had a big black one. Got the Silver one myself when I upgraded my Kit, looks so out of place as all my other kit is black.

[quote user="Del Smith"][quote user="darkside82"]v nice i wish my stand was clutter free [/quote] My Misses thinks it's nice to put family photos on the AV stand. Grrrrrr.[/quote] I took photos off the stand before taking the snaps! By the way, "big black one"? Are you talking about the Sony receiver?

[quote user="Gerrardasnails"][quote user="Del Smith"][quote user="darkside82"]v nice i wish my stand was clutter free [/quote] My Misses thinks it's nice to put family photos on the AV stand. Grrrrrr.[/quote] I took photos off the stand before taking the snaps! By the way, "big black one"? Are you talking about the Sony receiver?[/quote] Of course the Receiver. I'm interested about the pre out set up you have. Does it sound much better that way?

Very nice system, Mr Nails - looks great! Very neatly done too - how do you deal with all the mains cables so well?! I've tried tie-wrapping them up neatly, but still can't hide them.

You are an inspiration to finish my set-up!

[quote user="Del Smith"][quote user="Gerrardasnails"][quote user="Del Smith"][quote user="darkside82"]v nice i wish my stand was clutter free [/quote] My Misses thinks it's nice to put family photos on the AV stand. Grrrrrr.[/quote] I took photos off the stand before taking the snaps! By the way, "big black one"? Are you talking about the Sony receiver?[/quote] Of course the Receiver. I'm interested about the pre out set up you have. Does it sound much better that way?[/quote] It sounds the same. It just means that you can use your stereo speakers for home cinema also - I use Sky HD for radio and Jools Holland on HD and things like Glastonbury sound great also.

[quote user="bloney"]Very nice system, Mr Nails - looks great! Very neatly done too - how do you deal with all the mains cables so well?! I've tried tie-wrapping them up neatly, but still can't hide them.

You are an inspiration to finish my set-up![/quote] Thanks Mr B. It's all a facade! The cables are not visible but they are a mess behind the unit. I have a Tacima conditioner unit plugged into sockets behind the stand and everything is plugged into that. The boxes are all close together and so block the cables from being seen.

So would I be right in saying then, you can't really have 2 amps (AV/Stereo) sharing the same set of speakers UNLESS your amp is very clever like the 840 and has assignable volume inputs??

[quote user="HDNumpty"]So would I be right in saying then, you can't really have 2 amps (AV/Stereo) sharing the same set of speakers UNLESS your amp is very clever like the 840 and has assignable volume inputs??[/quote] No, you would be wrong with that assumption my friend. Any AV receiver with front left and right pre outs, SHOULD be able to connect to any stereo amplifier via a stereo interconnect. The fixed input is just handy as if you say calibrated your 5.1 with your stereo amp set at 12 o'clock, you would have to remember to keep it at that level when watching movies. The problem I had with my Creek Evo is that the pre and power parts of the integrated amp could not be used seperately. In essence, the my 840 is the pre and my receiver the power for my front two when using my 5.1. I hope that makes sense and even more importantly, I understand it correctly myself!

[quote user="Gerrardasnails"]It sounds the same. It just means that you can use your stereo speakers for home cinema also [/quote] Sorry I mean't from a stereo point of view. It looks like you play CD's via the Stereo amp, and for movies incorperate the Sony. Do you find it better for music using the seperate amp? Using the fronts for both HI FI and AV.

[quote user="Del Smith"][quote user="Gerrardasnails"]It sounds the same. It just means that you can use your stereo speakers for home cinema also [/quote] Sorry I mean't from a stereo point of view. It looks like you play CD's via the Stereo amp, and for movies incorperate the Sony. Do you find it better for music using the seperate amp? Using the fronts for both HI FI and AV.[/quote] The sound from the stereo amp is far better than through the receiver. Yes cdp and stereo amp, dvdp and receiver. Sky HD for radio through the stereo amp. SACD and dvd audio through the receiver.

Hi again Gerard

Since asking you about the 840a I managed to acquire one from RS for £500 due to their 'VIP' e-mail list (get on it, great bargains!). Thanks again for the recommendation, very happy with it and plan to link everything together in the same way you have which means I too can get FM radio from the receiver and DAB from my TV or PVR.

I was wondering where you got that nice rack from, and what's it made of? (apart from 'wood' obviously

HDNumpty:

Hi again Gerard

Since asking you about the 840a I managed to acquire one from RS for £500 due to their 'VIP' e-mail list (get on it, great bargains!). Thanks again for the recommendation, very happy with it and plan to link everything together in the same way you have which means I too can get FM radio from the receiver and DAB from my TV or PVR.

I was wondering where you got that nice rack from, and what's it made of? (apart from 'wood' obviously

Glad you are happy - that's a great price - mine was £480 delivered from a very nice ebay seller - it still had the plastic covers on over the display screen and was virtually brand new.

My rack was made by www.hifiracks.co.uk - you give them the dimensions you need and the wood of your choice and they do the rest! Mine is solid walnut.