Connecting two amplifiers to one set of speakers.

Yes!!!! DON'T DO IT!!! You're likely to blow the output stages on one or both amplifiers. You need a swtchbox (as the least good solution, in sonic terms), able to entirely isolate the two amps from each other.

The more elegant solution, assuming your receiver has preamp-level front channel outputs, is to connect these to the stereo amp, and use that to drive the speakers for both music and movies.

See this thread where I answered a similar query. 

Thanks for the good advise, Im not sure if my receiver has the preamp front channel outputs for this procedure. Its a DenonAVR1707 - would you know if it has? Nothing on the back seems to suggest that it does although im only going on memory as im not at home yet.

Denon AVR 1707. Sorry, no pre-out for front channels on it.

It does have CD-R/tape out though, which you can use. Not as neat as what Andrew suggested, but works without an upgrade. Connect it to tape input on your stereo amp.

i like that solution but it does not work if both amps are from the same maker and are both remote controlled, Ok get the blu-tack out to cover on sensor

I didnt think so - shame, how is your method different i.e will the sound be worse than Andrews suggestion. Does both options offer Dolby and DTS formats to be encoded via the receiver, transferred to the hi-fi amp(via interconnects) and then played through the two speakers or will it only be stereo sound? Could I connect the interconnect from CD-R/tape to dvd input on the hi-fi amp instead of tape input on the hi-fi amp?

No, that won't get over the problem of two sets of speaker outputs into one speaker, and is impossibly fiddly as the  tape outs on an amp or receiver aren't affected by the volume control. 

I was hoping that he will be able to drive them entirely through stereo amp, with the difference being the way volume control will be handled. At least that or buy a new AVR.

OR it could work the other way round. If his stereo amp has pre-outs, he could connect that to direct inputs on the receiver and he is ready to go.

But that kind of negates having the stereo amp at all - might as well just connect sources direct into the AV receiver. 

The best bet is an amplifier switchbox like this one on e-bay, the Niles DPS-1. 

Andrew, you say the switchbox is the least best way to go - is it still worth going down this route or could I just flog my current avr and purchase one with pre-outs (what way would you go?)

Also, lets say my avr had the pre-outs, would I be listening to the surround modes, that the avr can encode, at its full potential using the pre-outs route?

Regards, Matt

yes as you will still be using all the trick the box does as that is all done in the pre-amp phase.

But i will never be tempted. Keep it separate.

Hi Nads, Im being blonde here but could you explain a little simpler for me please - What part of my question did you answer?

Matt

you asked about the AV process and if you would still be getting it all if you had the pre outs.

And i said YES.

That solution comes for a price not with whatever is currently available.

I see a switchbox as an extra hardware. If I were the asker, I'd rather upgrade my AVR.

I thought that signals such as Dolby and DTS can only travel through either an optical cable or coaxial cable but from the reveiver to the hi-fi amplifier the cable wont be either of these!

and it still will.