Advice - HT Bypass, preamp advice needed.

Pycroft

Hello all,

I am considering consolidating systems and selling off some gear. I don't often use my HT anymore, but need ot have something to fulfill my need for loud booms and bangs. I am considering buying/trading my 2 channel tube preamp for a preamp with HT bypass, thus allowing me to sell off some speakers, and use just one system. My preamp is listed below, but I know probably nobody, other than bikerboy who sold it to me, would be able to comment on it specifically. Here is what something I'm looking at specifically.

http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/belcantodesign_pre6.htm

This would offer the HT bypass, and fulfill all my needs. I'm not sure the difference between a 'multi-channel' preamplifier and a regular 2 channel preamp. Will I be losing much as far as sound quality going this route? I listen MOSTLY to 2 channel stuff, so that is most important. The Bel Canto name is good I know, but not sure if this is something that is too complex for my needs. Thanks for any info.

James

nooshinjohn

The Rogue Audio Perseus is a great way to go, and it is a tube unit to boot. The phono pre is a sweet add to it.

heiney9

I don't understand your question? You have an HT bypass pre or you are looking for one?

The Adcom GFP-750 is a stellar performer and has a "true" HT bypass feature.

H9

VR3

I use my Decco 2 with my HT - just run the main outs into some inputs - set the volume on your preamp at a place you can remember and when you watch movies just move the volume knob there and your ready to rock

Pycroft

I listed the Bel Canto because I have no funds, so am looking to do an even trade. My question had to do with the actual Bel Canto. It has HT bypass, but they call it a preamp/processor. It seems like some preamps are made for 2 channel, some are made for processing sound in Home theatre and may not be the best for 2 channel, even if it is an expensive unit. I was hoping someone may have more information on this unit, and whether it may be a good unit for 2 channel, since my main focus is 2 channel. It seems like something called a 'multi-channel' processor may do that better than 2 channel, which is something I don't want. Thanks.

James

brgman

I have a Parasound 2100 if those others are out of your range.I may sell it if you want it.

VR3

Eh I think you can use your current preamp for your use... unless I am missing something

Pycroft

Holy SHIZZNA...

I just read the online stuff about my preamp - it has HT bypass? WOW...I'm not sure how it works...here's what it says:

Home Theatre bypass: Connect volume controlled TV audio Front Left & Right with RCA interconnect cables to one pair of L & R TAD-150 OUTPUT RCA jacks(why there is an extra set). Now you can select TV audio or 2-channel music audio using your HT front amps and speakers. Select TV audio or Music audio sources by using the TAD-150 remote Mute button or by clicking the TAD-150 power switch off to select TV. For 2-channel music play it is best switching the TV sound off.


I was just expecting some kind of button to engage it. Is this up here legit - it seems like it has to go through the TV or something?

Thanks...sorry if these are stupid questions.

James

VR3

I dont think you can plug a out to a out...

But you can definitely go OUT of your receiver/processor to say your Aux 1 input and use it just fine... I am doing it right now with my Decco - sounds great.

Pycroft

I'm sorry - I'm so stupid when it comes to this. I need step by step directions. I pick and auxillery output - does it matter which? I thought it did when it comes to HT bypass?!? I plug a 2 prong RCA (Similar to a if I was plugging in a CD player. I connect it to the preamp, and where does the other side go? to a HT receiver? If so, where does it plug in there? I guess I leave the amp for 2 channel, and speakers connected directly to the preamp, and the other 3 speakers connect to the HT receiver? Is it as simple, then as putting it to AUX 1 (or whatever is best) and turning it on? Here are pictures of the preamp:

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/bizzyb/TAD-150PIC.html

You can see the front and back of the unit, so hopefully that may help.

ALSO, heiney mentioned that the Adcom has 'true' HT bypass. Is the way it's described for this preamp how it is usually done? For some reason I have it that it should be more complex than just plugging it in?!?

Please speak to me as if I'm an idiot with this. If you use big words I may get a headache. If you're describing how to plug what to what, you can consider it like speaking to a 12 year old

Thanks so much for the help on this. Hopefully this will save me trouble in the future.

James

Serendipity

Please read the following:

DO NOT under any circumstances plug an output to an output!

Outputs are low impedance and must only be connected to high impedance inputs.

Never, ever tie two outputs directly together, or "combine" the left and right outputs of a component to feed a subwoofer.

Also, never run a receiver's preamp output to another device's output. Ever!!

Pycroft

Thanks for the advice...

Any specific instructions then on how to accomplish the 'Home Theatre Bypass feature' of my preamp. I'm so at a loss with this. Thanks,

James

Serendipity

You could hook up the HT to an unused set of inputs on your preamp, and then set the volume to a level that matches the rest of your speakers. With an SPL meter, adjust the level until you get 75dB for all of your speakers. Then remember this point on the preamp's volume control and set it to that level for HT use.

Otherwise, I would recommend looking into a different preamp such as the Parasound HALO JC2 with Bypass which allows you to do exactly what you are looking for.

VR3

I think you are over thinking this -

HT RECEIVER - MAIN PRE OUTS to AUX 1 - Set volume, run calibration - DONE

Pycroft

Cool - I'm about to try to hook it up now. I read somewhere that I can run HT bypass with the preamp off - is there something special I have to do to accomplish this?

Thanks,

James

cnh

Personally, I don't understand why you would want to consolidate? I hear a lot of people say they don't use their HT much and listen to two channel, mostly.

Well, that includes me. But I don't "gain anything" by consolidating. I've been doing the "opposite". Have a number of systems running in different rooms at different times. Why? Because I don't "believe" there is ONE system that is the "one". And I like to hear a variety of speakers and equipment as my "mood" strikes me.

One...too limiting, or maybe I'm too fickle. Searching for variety not perfection. lol

cnh

Pycroft

cnh -

Hello again

The answer is simple...consolidating saves money, and that's what I need right now

I hope all is well.

James