Audio Systems: I hope this is not too technical......, receiver amplifier, thin gauge

Question
I hope this is not too technical... I'm running 6 pairs of speakers through a Niles 6 speaker switch but of course the furthest ones away are faint while the ones right at a/v equip really blast.  Can I take an old receiver and pipe a set of speakers through it... using the aux inputs and the receiver's speakers out?

Answer
Dear John,

If the ones "furthest...away" are faint, then either (1) they're really far away, a hundred feet or more or (2) you're using very thin gauge speakers wire 18AWG or less (20, 22, etc.--wire thickness is inverse: the lower the number, the thicker the wire). Then again, your amplifier/receiver may not put out enough wattage to drive six speakers from two (?) speaker terminals.

Yes, you can do what you propose. Run an RCA connection from the "PREAMP OUT" on your main receiver/preamplifier to any "LINE IN" on the second receiver and connect the "faint" speakers the speakers to the second amplifier. Don't try to connect the speaker leads on the main receiver/amp to a "LINE IN" on the second receiver; you run the risk of damaging both receivers.

Always remember that the main receiver/amplifier will not control the functions of the other amplifier unless you run the power cord of the second receiver to a switched convenience outlet on the main receiver/amplifier. If not, you'll have to turn on the second receiver/amplifier separately. Actually, the nice thing about the second receiver/amplifier is that you can turn the sound off in Room B or otherwise modulate its volume.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin