Audyssey with powered speakers

I have a TX-NR709. I'm using the preamplifier outputs to connect to powered loudspeakers (actually loudspeakers with outboard power amplifiers). But Audyssey refuses to send calibration signals to the preamp outputs. Is Audyssey useless to me, and must I then resort to aligning by ear? Am I missing something?

Iirc, the audessey system is part and parcel with the amplification of the speaker line level outs. It may not be able to compensate/equalize powered speakers connected through the pre outs.

As far as the "by ear" level adjustment, a small spl meter sold by radio shack and set to c-weighted/slow, will provide excellent level results. True, you will not have the benefit of room eq that audessey helps with but getting the levels within the error margins of the spl meter (1-2db) for about $35 bucks, will provide better results in most cases versus the by ear method. In addition, since you are using powered speakers, one assumes they are all of the same make and hopefully matched. You should get great results.

Doug k