How would I incorporate a preamp into my HT

Codey

I'm thinking about adding a preamp for 2 channel music to my home theater but I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how it will work. My receiver and new preamp are going to have to share amps, and the only way I can see that working would be an excessive use of Y jacks (even more if I want the sub in there). Is there something I'm over looking, an easier way to do this without doing a seperate system?

VR3

Sadly it dosnt work that way...

(atleast not for me) -

When I tried a y splitter between preamps to the amp - I had NO volume on any preamp...

I have to shut down, unplug, then plug up the other, etc to do different things - kinda annoying - but in the end I think it is worth it...

Codey

Bummer.

You'd think by now a company would have have recognized this need and addressed it with an aproppriate product.

So if you just swap cables about, do you use splitters to hook up your sub?

VR3

Nah, I just plug up the sub as well while I'm at it, one more cable dosnt hurt --

You could always use the speaker wire method though...

TheGrayGhost

You could use an A/B switch box from Radio Shack. A manual switch box cost ~$15 and a remote controlled switch box for ~$40.

Early B.

Look into an amp selector such as the Niles Audio DPS-1.

tryrrthg

Read THIS THREAD I started over at the HT forum on this topic. Although I decided not to go that route (I'll have 2 seperate systems eventually) the thread was very helpfull.

Codey

Thanks for the help guys. The preamp I have in mind doesn't have HT bypass so I guess I'll just take the time to switch cables around, which isn't really that big of a deal.

tryrrthg

Originally posted by Codey
Thanks for the help guys. The preamp I have in mind doesn't have HT bypass so I guess I'll just take the time to switch cables around, which isn't really that big of a deal.

You don't have to have HT bypass.

attach the preouts of your reciever to an input on your 2 channel pre. when you watch a movie you select that input on your 2 channel preamp. with this hookup option you'll have two volume controls in the mix. You'll have to calibrate your 2 channel preamps volume control with your HT speakers. Whenever you watch a movie you just have to return your 2 channel pre to that volume setting and then use your receiver to control the volume from there.

The easist way to do this is just set your 2 channel preamp to 12 o'clock, then calibrate your speakers the same way you would if you were running just a receiver

VR3

I dunno bout you, but I would rather unplug stuff than eff with two volume knobs... loool

I have cables run from both preamps, for a fast connect/disconnect. I have poor quality cables running from the HT preamp though

Codey

I dunno bout you, but I would rather unplug stuff than eff with two volume knobs... loool

That was my thinking too as this setup has to be girlfriend friendly.

tryrrthg

you don't have to eff with two volume knobs you just have to know where to put your 2 channel volume control to calibrate it with the HT receiver. Figure that out once, and it's a breeze after that.

Unhooking things is NOT girlfriend friendly!

Airplay355

run two different sets of speaker wire and plug in which ever one you want....1 for 2 channel and one for home theater....thats what im gonna do

VR3

That is a good idea, to bad I have a preamp for my HT!!! ARGH!!!

I need to sell this POS.... Only time I missed my PE is right now! lol

But if he has two preamps, the speaker wire thing won't help

Codey

I might be interested in HT preamp if you really want to sell it.

If I get a preamp for 2 channel I'm just going to swap cables instead of more speaker wire and dealing with two volume controls.

you don't have to eff with two volume knobs you just have to know where to put your 2 channel volume control to calibrate it with the HT receiver. Figure that out once, and it's a breeze after that.

I would have to eff with two volume knobs because I don't watch TV or listen to movies at a consistant volume. It all depends on what I'm watching, who I'm watching it with and what kind of mood I'm in.

VR3

The HT preamp is Pro Logic - are you sure you'd want it!? lool

Codey

Oh.... I'm good thanks.

tryrrthg

Originally posted by Codey
I would have to eff with two volume knobs because I don't watch TV or listen to movies at a consistant volume. It all depends on what I'm watching, who I'm watching it with and what kind of mood I'm in.

No, you wouldn't have to mess with two volume controls. Whenever you are using the HT set up you just have to return the volume of your 2 channel pre to the 12 o'clock position (or whatever volume setting you need it to be at to calibrate it with the rest of your HT speakers), once that is done all volume controls will be done through your HT receiver.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Originally posted by Early B.
Look into an amp selector such as the Niles Audio DPS-1.

Did this suggestion get overlooked???

I've used on of these before to compare receivers and it worked great. This seems like the simplest solution....

You said "You'd think by now a company would have have recognized this need and addressed it with an aproppriate product."

Someone has, it's this Niles unit...

jdhdiggs

Personally, I liked the radio shack switching box. For $15 all you do is push a dang button for the switch. Of course you would need 2 more pair IC's (Assuming analog out on the DVD)

Codey

I guess the selector box option did get overlooked. I just looked at the Niles stuff and it does seem to be the simplest solution.

I was in Radio Shack yesterday but couldn't find anything that would suit my needs, they just had speaker selectors.

Codey

No, you wouldn't have to mess with two volume controls. Whenever you are using the HT set up you just have to return the volume of your 2 channel pre to the 12 o'clock position (or whatever volume setting you need it to be at to calibrate it with the rest of your HT speakers), once that is done all volume controls will be done through your HT receiver.

Okay, I get it now. I just reread that thread you linked and it makes perfect sense now. That would appear to be the easier and cheapest solution to setting this up. Thank you.