Thinking of Going Big for 2-Channel

Early B.

First, take a look at my sig.

OK, without going into a lot of detail, let me just say that the VMPS' are phenomenal, even though they are currently hooked up to a receiver with a DVD player as the source (yuck). A few days ago I was listening to music on my 2-channel system and decided to listen to the same music on my HT system. I was astonished at what I was hearing. The bigness of the VMPS' sounded much better to me, quite frankly, and it gave me a new paradigm for what I want my music to sound like. I know they have a lot more potential.

Here's what I'm considering -- once again combining my HT and 2-channel systems. The only reason I have two different setups is because I hadn't found any HT fronts that I felt were good enough to pull double duty, until now.

I'm currently considering getting a SS amp and a tube pre, and introducing the tube CDP into the HT setup. By doing it this way, I'll still have a separate 2-channel system, but both systems will be in the same room and share the same speakers.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions?

Thanks.

janmike

Pretty much my same thoughts Early. I will use the same room as it is a dedicated HT / Audio room. Right now, I have a HT system as I use the LSi9's as my 2CH. I have the 2CH rig all mapped out and it will be a totally separate system. All the equipment and speakers have been identified, it's just a matter of funds and finding all the gear. It will take me some time, but it will be done right.

reeltrouble1

I do pretty much that with the Reel Time Rig with the Dodd MLP which comes with an HT pass, works very well.

RT1

Early B.

By the way, if I combined the two systems, I'd have to sell off my Jolida amp and beloved Taylos. That's got me quivering, 'cause that combo is my pride & joy.

Midnite Mick

This seems to be the way most people go about it today as it may not be the perfect ideal but it is the most economic way. A lot of the newer preamps have a HT bypass now as alot of people won't even consider a preamp without it.

Mike

Early B.

Zero wrote:

In fairness to the idea of big versus small, have you tried to calibrate a good sub (or set of subs) with the Tylers?

Well, sort of. Initially, I had a sub for the Taylos, but at the time I felt the Taylos were providing sufficient bass, so I got rid of it. I don't have the space for dual subs.

Even with a sub, the Taylos ain't gonna do what the VMPS' are doing, and rightfully so -- apples and oranges. The VMPS' have a much, much fuller sound that would be extremely difficult for a bookshelf speaker to duplicate. It's not a better or worse kind of thing, but it's damn sure different and more appealing to me (at least for the moment).;)

Ricardo

If I were you, the 2 channel electronics would be connected in the HT room to the VMPS', or the VMPS' would be in the 2 channel room. Try any of these for a couple days before you go buying extra gear to make sure they will sound as you expect they will

dkg999

Not sure I would want to combine my 2 ch and HT systems. My HT system I just like to have sound decent, and let me feel it when the sh&t goes boom! I don't really like to play with it, just have it ready when I want to be entertained with a movie. My 2 ch. system I like to play with and experiment. I've tried to get into the multi-channel SACD/DVDA music, just doesn't sound as good to me as a good 2 ch. system. So I say go big for HT so you have an HT system that digs deep and roars. For 2 ch. you can play the field and try the monitor/sub combinations and the big bad towers and planer/electrastats/ribbons, etc. Fun and enjoyment is what we are really after.

jm1

I would be looking for speakers which produce an intricate and detailed sound stage as well as having the ability to create the full frequency spectrum. There are several methods to realize this; tower speakers or monitor/subs. I do not think one is necessarily better than the other as there are good and bad implementation of both.

My HT and two channel systems reside in the same room and share components. The two channel preamp has the HT bypass so the two channel amp and L+R speakers are common to both. This feature is a must if you plan on having the systems integrated, yet separate.

The L+R speakers consist of high quality monitors, an active crossover and stereo subs. This allows me to have the best both have to offer. The monitors and subs are located within the room where each sounds its best. The hardest part was finding subs that were acceptable for music; most subs available today I would not use for HT. Once properly integrated, the results are surprising. I could not afford to purchase towers which would provide the same level or performance these components produce.

The SSP has the front speakers set to large to take advantage of the monitor/sub arrangement plus the LFE set to on. Works like a charm.

The current system:

- Pioneer DV-59AVi universal player (video and CD transport)
- Museatex Bitstream DAC (Data II mods and Black Gate caps)
- Simaudio Moon P-5 pre
- dbx 120x active crossover
- Simaudio Moon W-3 amp
- Dynaudio Confidence C1 monitors
- Two (2) SVS PC-Ultra subs
- some HT stuff


PS If you decide to try a sub with the Tyler's, get something acceptable for music in order to give it a fair evaluation. Be prepared to spend more than you are comfortable with.

VR3

Get the 7u

Ive never been a monitor fan....


Good luck with the journey!

halo

Ever since I got the VTL 2.5 pre and the Von Schweikert's I've been contemplating doing an all in one set up. I don't see it happening for me though.

Best of luck with your decision

pearsall001

Get yourself a good preamp with HT bypass, separate amp for the VMPS, & AAD center, let the receiver handle the surrounds, sub for HT duty only, use your OPPO for DVD & put the Bada CDP in line for 2 channel. There you have it, best of both worlds. Killer HT & Superb 2 channel.

Early B.

pearsall001 wrote:

Get yourself a good preamp with HT bypass, separate amp for the VMPS, & AAD center, let the receiver handle the surrounds, sub for HT duty only, use your OPPO for DVD & put the Bada CDP in line for 2 channel. There you have it, best of both worlds. Killer HT & Superb 2 channel.

That's the plan.

Question about HT bypass -- still not clear on why that's necessary. What's the difference between HT bypass and hooking up RCA cables on another input (i.e., Aux) for DVD playback? Does HT bypass "bypass" the preamp's volume control? How's it work?

Thanks.

pearsall001

Early B. wrote:

That's the plan.

Question about HT bypass -- still not clear on why that's necessary. What's the difference between HT bypass and hooking up RCA cables on another input (i.e., Aux) for DVD playback? Does HT bypass "bypass" the preamp's volume control? How's it work?

Thanks.

The HT bypass on my CJ works like this. To watch a DVD on the OPPO I put it in HT bypass mode. Now the receiver controls the volumn for fronts (power coming from AVA amp) & other speakers (either powered by receiver or separate center amp) depending on the set up. Now for 2 channel, the CJ is on CD input, the AVA amp, & CD player are on. Everything else is turned off, including the sub. Real simple with the remote. So to answer your question I assume the HT mode bypasses the volumn control. I guess other manuf. preamps w/ HT bypass work the same way.