Onkyo TX-8050 and pre-out

When I connect my Pioneer amp to the Onkyo zone 1 pre-out I don't have any sound, unless I turn the volume of the Onkyo way up. Zone 2 has a constant volume regardless of the position of the volume knob.

Do you think something wrong with the Zone 1 pre out or is it supposed to be that way?

 

Does the pioneer amp have a volume knob? Crank it (perhaps all the way) up. The output from your pre-out is usually attenuated by the volume control and will go up and down along with the built in amps so external amplifiers should be cranked up if they have a volume control to make them match more or less with the output of the main amps. It takes a little while to get the right volume dialed in.

 

PhilBiker, thanks that makes sense. I'll play with the knobs.

Is the amp section of the Onkyo used when I get the signal from the preamp section. And if I turn the volume up, does the power consumption increase?

 

Not sure of the specific specs of your Onkyo. In my house I have a Marantz SR-4120 which has a pre-amp output. I have that connected to a second zone and that works like a charm. If I want the second zone working I just turn on the zone 2 amps. If I want the main stereo to quiet I turn off the "speaker" selector on the receiver. My receiver is simpler than yours - I don't have a "Zone 2" output I only have the main preamp out like yours.