Possibly a very naive question, but have been through the thread and couldnt see anything answering it. Is it possible to use my old Marantz NR1601 7.1 channel AV receiver for sending a signal to a buttkicker gamer2 and later to Buttkicker LFE please?
This scenario is covered several times in this thread or forums, try searching. I can't remember when exactly but it comes up every so often.It's not a simple yes/no answer as specs and quality of the amplifiers used in such products vary greatly.Also depends what you intend to use on the amps.
1st Point
Something I mention often, tactile using tone generated methods like Simhub/Simvibe, in particular, can be very demanding on amplifiers. This depends on the Hz used for effects and how many effects are being used. Buttkickers with a heavy piston need a constant min of wattage and will exert even more strain on an amplifier than typical transducers and when using Simhub/Simvibe. This more than speakers will. So typically you are wanting to use a product for a means it was not really designed for.
2nd Point
Most AV amps will use 6-8 ohm, only some will support 4ohm loads, and those that do many only recommend this for front channels and not all channels. You may also have lower quality amplification for surround and other channels.
Bass Roll Off can also be a factor as surround channels did not have to support low frequencies so some amps may be restricted for surround channels.
You'd still want an amp with plenty of headroom in its total output to what the tactile use and taking into account if the rated power is in 8ohm and if the amp even supports 4ohm as many do not. It is possible to overload the amp and in some this will cause damage or if it has one, an internal fuse may blow or the amp goes into shut down as its being over-driven.
3rd Point
Simhub/Simvibe
do not use digital encoding/decoding like Dolby/DTS for multichannel usage. They output analog via the multiple soundcard jacks. So for an AV receiver to work properly with more than (stereo) or 2 discrete channels means, it will need the old and now mainly phased out analog (Multichannel Inputs). Digital wont work.
Very few models had the "Multichannel Inputs" used prior to HDMI being common. Even fewer amps in the last 5 years will have them.
It does appear you and some others are getting advice
@jamescarruthers that (to me) appears to be incorrect or are based more on assumptions, rather than user ownership/experience or actual testing.
Over the years I tested several models of AV 5.1 or 7.1 units, still have these in storage. Yet they seem now very oversized for what we would be using them for.
Digital Amp Technology / NS20G Size Comparison
Conclusion = Possible Yes With Restrictions - Ideal = No
More budget tactile and models that do not use heavy internal pistons like (BK/Earthquake brands) so these may work with low wattages. It is possible to use a Mid-High end AV Reciever that has a decent quality of amps and power transformer which may still have two important factors below. In general, if someone had a suitable unit in storage, then yes it may have a use or bit of life to give. The reality is we are now showing suitable amps supporting 4 channels like the M4 that are cheap and ideal for many makes/models of entry-level or budget transducers.
Personal Advice:
Powering "Bass Shakers" (with pistons) my recommendation would be to invest in makes models of amps that other people have used for years. As shared on these forums the Behringer NX1000D while only supporting 2 channels. It will power the smallest BK to the largest in the BK Concert (2ohm) and few amps can do that for so little money and include the DSP they offer as well. These as amps are ideal for BK units. Cheaper amps like the M4 thats just released are now tiny and suitable for most other brands/models of transducers and exciters.
Yet even these I would not attempt to use multiple even smallest (Buttkicker/Earthquake) products.
AV Amp - Desired Supported/Factors:
(1) 4-ohm support (switchable or via menus)
(2) Multichannel Input Connectivity
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