Taking a trip back to pro logic.....

[HiFi'end]

This may seem a bit of an outdated question or something along those lines. But i've been cleaning up all my old pro logic 5.1 recievers from the early to mid 80's and every single one of them (all Pioneers) has a center amp/pre out jack on them. I have a few components that are strictly amplifiers, but none of which having something that looks like its dedicated to a center amp/pre out from a prologic reciever. Then again, my amplifiers are quite vintage and for two channel listening.
I tried googling "center amp, center channel amp etc. to no avail. The owners manual doesn't quite help either.
I am sure ther are some eyes rolling right now:rolleyes:, but i am also sure this is the best place for accurate informative, helpful info from all the AK'rs:)
Can somebody shed some light on my inquiry? was this a short lived era right before dolby digital type formats started? I know riggs out there still integrate center amps and sub amps along with the a/v reciever, maybe they're hooked up the same way... Me not know:dunno:
Lookin forward to gaining some knowledge from anyone who responds. thanks in advance:thmbsp:

[Duffinator]

The center would have gone out to either a single amp, or a three channel amp. The front three speakers were the same wattage while the rear channels were less wattage with DPL. DD, DTS, etc. receivers and amps use the same wattage (in general) on all channels. Not sure if that answered your question but your question wasn't real clear. :D

[Arkay]

Not entirely sure about your question either, but perhaps this will help. I've only ever owned A/V amps that had three channels in front (right, left and center), two channels in rear (right and left), as well as an out that is used for the sub-woofer.

The center channel sits, as the name suggests, in the center, usually right below or above the screen (or even behind it, theater-style, if you are using a projector and a screen that lets sound through, but that is unusual in home set-ups). The center channel contains mostly voice information, along with some of the right-left front information.

You can use ANY amp for center-channel information, but remember that it is only one channel, therefore you will use a monobloc, a stereo amp in mono mode, or only one channel of a stereo amp. Most of those 80s prologic surround A/V amps had amps built-in, and you could run all channels (usually except the subwoofer) off the built-in amps, directly driving the speakers. However, many would choose to use pre- or low-level outs to external amps, for more power/better sound, etc...

A three-channel amp is an extremely rare beast; I think you'll want to stick with one of the options I mentioned above (monobloc or mono configuration or one channel of a stereo amp).

Hope this helps.

[Sluggo]

Whats the model number on the Pioneer???
Also,do you have a digital camera to take a Pic
of the back of the unit and post it,that might help?

[Duane]

This may seem a bit of an outdated question or something along those lines. But i've been cleaning up all my old pro logic 5.1 recievers from the early to mid 80's and every single one of them (all Pioneers) has a center amp/pre out jack on them. I have a few components that are strictly amplifiers, but none of which having something that looks like its dedicated to a center amp/pre out from a prologic reciever. Then again, my amplifiers are quite vintage and for two channel listening.


Your receivers would have built in amps for each of the channels, including the center. Some receivers also have pre-out jacks that allow for external amp connection, if one so desires. Not too certain as to your post. Are you attempting to hookup your vinatge amps to the receiver(s) ?

[Duffinator]

A three-channel amp is an extremely rare beast; I think you'll want to stick with one of the options I mentioned above (monobloc or mono configuration or one channel of a stereo amp).They're not that rare although I don't think there are many new amps that are three channel. But two and five channel are certainly more common. Denon made a nice three channel amp, the POA-8300, and they show up on eBay regularly. Both Adcom and B&K made three channel amps as well.

[willyrover]

I believe the center channel preout was provided so that one could use his TV speakers as a center channel rather than a separate speaker.

Your Pioneer may or may not ALSO have speaker connections for a center speaker and a built in amplifier.

[jedo1507r]

Yep, the center channel preout was also common with the lower-end Sony receivers back in the early-'90s. The STR-AV970 I once had was equipped with the preout, while the -AV1070 had an amplified output. What strikes me is that both "channels" of the center output were mono, guess it was easier for inventory and those non-automatic mono sets.

[HiFi'end]

Thanks for all the responses & sorry about my inquiry being so unclear. Had a long day and was a bit delirious.
Anyhow, i guess i was just curious on why a receiver with the amps built into it and the speaker hook ups for a center channel speaker, needed this pre-out jack for the center speaker. Also, what sord of amp would be used if someone was to choose this option. I was gonna try it out if i had anything in my massive range of equipment that would work for the center speaker pre out connection from any one of my pioneer's.
So, what i gathered was a mono block amp, or a stereo amp set to mono, or to a tv( which does not seem appealing). vsx-d603s is just one of the model #s if anyone is curious still about my question. But i'm pretty sure my questions already been answered. Overall it seems to me like a connection option that was not needed on these pro logic units, especially since it works fine hooked up thru the regular center speaker connections.
Thanks again everyone. (: