TX-NR809 please help with bi-amping vs 7.1, when using external amp.....

Hi, I understand when you use bi-amping for the front speakers, 7.1 is no longer available from the 809, so I attached an Onkyo - 2 channel external amp to the zone 2 out jacks, just like I have done on my previous Onkyo receiver to power my 2 surround back speakers, thus giving me 7.1. I am being told different things. Can zone 2 be used with an external amp to create 7.1 surround sound when bi-amping is being used?? Please any help would really be great, and save me from pulling any remaining hair of my head. Thank you.

I am desperate to get this figured out, please help.

Hi davidrafkind,

Apologies for the late response but if you set the receiver to bi-amp you will not be able to have a 7.1 setup.

I am sorry to learn that about the 809. I saved a lot of money to purchase this unit, and though it is far more advanced then my previous Onkyo receiver, it does not offer all the abilities. I don't fully understand the reasoning behind limiting the ability of the 809, or why external power amps can't be used to expand the ability of the 809?
All my speakers have Bi-Amping ability, am I able to use external Power Amps with the 809 to Bi-Amp speakers other then my fronts?
Thanks again for taking your time to reply.

Hi davidrafkind,

I do apologize for that but the receiver was not designed to operate that way. On your other question, the receiver is also not designed to send highs and lows out of other speaker posts other than the fronts.