Powering a center channel with a two channel amp

@vacerator 

If you own a MC352 and want to use it for a center channel it won’t matter if you use only the Left Ch or only the Right Ch for the center Ch speaker. Both are exactly the same.

Look at the specs for Marantz 6015

The amplifiers specs are all the same.

The Left ch, Right ch, and Center ch are the same, as the rest of the amplifiers channel’s specs.. 

What’s different is the digital processor in the preamp section.  

Google AI response:  Just for 3 channel, Left ch, Center ch, and  Right Ch.

A digital audio/video multi-processor (often shortened to "DSP" or digital signal processor) for a Left, Center, and Right (LCR) channel setup is crucial in home theater and professional audio environments

. It acts as the "brain" of the system, taking in audio signals, processing them digitally, and then directing them to the appropriate amplifiers to speakers to create a cohesive and immersive soundstage. 

 

Here’s how it generally works

• Input and Digitization: The processor receives audio signals from various sources (Blu-ray player, streaming device, game console, etc.). If these signals are analog, the DSP converts them into a digital format.
• Decoding and Processing: The DSP decodes the audio information, especially if it’s in a multi-channel format like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. It then applies various algorithms and processes to each channel (Left, Center, Right) individually and in relation to each other. This can include:
  • Equalization (EQ): Adjusting the frequency response of each speaker to compensate for room acoustics and listener preferences.
  • Time Alignment (Delay): Ensuring that the sound from each speaker reaches the listener’s ears at the same time, despite different distances and speaker placement.
  • Crossover Filtering: Dividing the audio signal into different frequency ranges and sending them to the appropriate drivers (tweeters, mid-range, woofers) within each speaker.
  • Dynamic Range Compression: Balancing the loudness of the audio to prevent sudden loud passages from being jarring and ensuring dialogue is clear.
  • Room Correction: Analyzing the acoustics of the listening environment and applying filters to correct for reflections and inconsistencies.
• Spatialization and Image Creation: The processor plays a key role in creating the soundstage, ensuring sounds appear to come from the correct direction and depth.
  • Center Channel: This channel is dedicated primarily to dialogue and sounds that should appear directly in front of the listener. The DSP ensures these sounds are clearly focused in the center.
  • Left and Right Channels: These handle the bulk of the stereo and surround information, providing a sense of width and directionality.
  • Panning: The DSP uses panning to place individual sounds anywhere between the left, center, and right channels, creating a seamless and realistic sound field.
• Output and Amplification: After processing, the digital signals are converted back to analog (if necessary) and sent to the power amplifiers, which then drive the speakers (Left, Center, Right). 

•  

In essence, a digital audio processor in an LCR setup meticulously analyzes and manipulates the audio signals for each channel, ensuring that each amplifier, speaker receives the optimal information to create a balanced, clear, and spatially accurate sound experience tailored to the specific listening environment and content. 

I added :

amplifiers to

amplifier

.

+1 @jea48 and @muvluv

@vacerator 

You are over thinking things.  Your Marantz has preamp RCA outputs for each channel.  Left, Right, Center, and surround channels RCA connections. 

Connect the:

• Marantz left preamp output RCA's to the left input on the MC352 amp #1,
• the Marantz right preamp output RCA's to the right input on the MC352 amp #1,
• the Marantz center preamp output RCA's to the left input on the MC352 amp #2

That will leave the right input RCA's on the MC352 #2 amp connected to nothing, which is fine.  Then connect the speaker cables to the MC352 connections to the approperiate speakers.  You may need to go into the Marantz setup menus and tell it you are using the off board amps for the front 3 channels (L/C/R).  

Ok, I’m impressed with the quantity and quality of the responses.  Thank you so much!  I’m back to what I was originally recommended to do by the audio guy that I’m working with, in building a million + dollar home theater, in a 48 million dollar house.  I’m doing the wood work.  I wanted to confirm his recommendation, and AI just screwed with my head.  Thanks again!

@vacerator posted:

Huh, well, I guess I’ll have to talk with my McIntosh guy about that.  Everything I read on the web suggested or said that center channel audio couldn’t be amplified correctly with a left or right channel from the amp.  My take off was that a left channel would pull left channel audio and not the full center audio sound.  I have absolutely no education in this area, as to how the amp actually amplifies sound.  If an amplifier purely amplifies sound, which is what I originally thought, then what Jeffbig should work.  Not sure how muvluv’s set up would work correctly, I guess if you ran a 2 to 4 rca?

I got an email back from Mike, from Audio Classics, and he iterated the proper set up being parallel and mono.

I’m not sure why you posted this thread on Agon. You should just follow the advice you got before posting your thread. Wrong advice, IMO, but you should just follow your gut.  

You didn’t mention the speakers you are using. The center ch speaker is probably considered the most important, followed by the L&R ch speakers.

FWIW, IMO, the Marantz SR6015 digital processor is more than likely the weak link in your multichannel system. The  Marantz SR6015 would be considered mid-fi, not high end. 

Jmho, it hardly does justice to a McIntosh 352 power amplifier.

I see the SR6015 has been discontinued. Note, the SR6015 was made in Vietnam. 

You might want to step up to a Marantz Cinema 40. It’s made in Japan. IMO, this AV receiver would be considered high-end.