Pre-amp outs

If you have pre-outs for all channels you can use them I you like. I think the outlaw audio receiver has pre-outs for all channels.

One_shot,

That is what I did with a Denon 3802 surround receiver (it has pre-outs for the front left and right speakers). I hooked up a Bryston 4B-ST stereo amp (RCA out of the Denon into the RCA in of the Bryston). Depending upon the gain of the amp, you might have to recalibrate the loudness of the speakers again (i.e. set the left/right speakers at 0 dB gain and using a calibration disc and SPL meter, adjust the gain of the receiver for each of the other speakers such that they all have the same volume level at the "sweet spot").

Regards,

With the Denon AVR-4800 you can assign via the menu the L/R front amps to the rear (or side? I forgot) L/R channels and by using an external stereo amp connected to the L/R front pre outs thereby going from 5.1 to 7.1 HT. BTW there are pre outs for the other channels too.

Yes you can.

Why not get a 5 channel AMP? Adcom has some out that are not too expencive. Then you can upgrade to a 7.1 pre-amp and eventually get a high quality 2 channel amp for the fronts?

that way you have good solid power for the center and 4 surrounds, and have real good power for the mains while listening to 2 channel?