2 Channel and HT in one?

wingnut4772 · July 2008

O.K. Let's say I keep my 2 channel set up. How do I integrate the TT and the pre with my HT receiver, speakers and amps? MY pre does not have an HT pass through.

tryrrthg · July 2008

Any pre can be used with an HT setup. You just use any of the inputs on the pre as if it was an HT pass through and set the preamp's volume on the pre so that it calibrates with all the other HT speakers. Also set the volume so that it's easy to put it there each time you use it in the HT. Say you set it at 12 o'clock. Then each time you want to use the HT you set the preamp's volume to 12 o'clock and you're good to go.

reeltrouble1 · July 2008

FYI, each pre will then put its "sonic sig" on the signal. my experience in doing it with the HT pre in the mix was that the 2-ch. suffered. But it does work.

RT1

Ricardo · July 2008

There really should be no impact for the 2 channel, since you would still be using dedicated inputs in the 2 ch pre for the 2 ch sources. When listening to 2 ch, the HT pre/receiver would be out of the loop.

In any case, I would swap your pre with one that had a HT pass. The manual volume match would be too prehistoric for me

reeltrouble1 · July 2008

OK, I imagined it and dont know what I am talking about, carry on.

RT1

Face · July 2008

Sell it and buy one that does both well.

tcrossma · July 2008

Without HT Bypass it can be done but it's tedious and sometimes difficult to calibrate correctly, plus the pre will add something to the signal (which may or may not be a big deal for HT).

With an HT Bypass it's easy and convenient, and the pre adds little if anything to the signal.

My recommendation would be to sell the pre and get one with an HT Bypass. Or you could get a unit that does both well, but to me it's kind of nice having them separate so they can be upgraded/swapped separately as your needs change.

wingnut4772 · July 2008

Thanks but I am more confused now.:D How does the cabling work?

tcrossma · July 2008

One set of IC's going from the AVR to the "bypass" inputs on the pre. One set going from the DVD/CD to the primary inputs on the pre. One set going from the pre to the amp.

When the pre is in bypass mode, it accepts the signal coming from the AVR and just passes it through to the amp without using the pre's volume.

When not in bypass mode the primary CD/DVD inputs are used and volume is controlled normally.

steveinaz · July 2008

Four words...

1. Two
2. Channel
3. Home
4. Theater

ben62670 · July 2008

Use your HT pre as the first in the signal path. Use one of the line ins on the 2ch pre from the HT pre out. You will set your 2 ch pre's volume to match the rest of the setup, and your ht's line outs will be controled by the volume in it. No need to mess with the 2 ch pre after initial setup. Do not run your 2ch into the HT pre!

reeltrouble1 · July 2008

wingnut4772 wrote: »

Thanks but I am more confused now.:D How does the cabling work?

poorly.:eek:

I know you have a pre you have not even listened to, to ask you to change that to one with a by-pass is something I cannot do, I would set them up in the rack as two totally seperate units and just change the speaker cables at the speaker end.

I most certainly would not send my two channel source signal into any receiver which is by design full of signal quality robbing intergrated circuits and then into the 2-channel pre, remember, any component can never improve a signal, it can only degrade it and the less the better.

RT1--Disclaimer the above rack suggestion is not recommend for newbs, rookies, polkies, or anyone who will forget to change the speaker wires and fire the rig up, you can toast things that way.

Face · July 2008

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2317.asp

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/1096.asp

http://parasound.com/halo/c2.php

There's plenty that can do both.
http://buy0.audiogon.com/cgia/fsb.pl?homeproc&1&ctg&st1

tryrrthg · July 2008

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

poorly.:eek:

I know you have a pre you have not even listened to, to ask you to change that to one with a by-pass is something I cannot do...

+1. You HAVE to listen to that MF before you go and do something drastic.

tcrossma · July 2008

Nobody has recommended routing the 2-channel source through a receiver, so not sure where that's all coming from

A preamp with HT bypass is just a nice thing to have when integrating the two systems together. It can be done without one, it's just sometimes difficult and inconvenient to ensure correct volume levels.

reeltrouble1 · July 2008

Then where is the two channel source routed?

If you go to the pre first then the receiver the receiver is in the path of the signal, if you go to the receiver first and then the pre the receiver is in the path of the signal???

You might be able to use the tape inputs/outputs but the receiver is still in the mix. Yes it will work but I already stated my experience in doing this was not very good.

The bypass is the solution, but she does not have a bypass and I don't think Wing wants to buy something right now, but maybe I am wrong.

RT1

Ricardo · July 2008

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

Then where is the two channel source routed?
RT1

The way I see it, the only way to have a combined HT/2 channel without interference is to have dedicated sources for 2 channel. You use the 2 channel inputs for them.

The HT sources go into the HT receiver (cable/satellite box, DVD player).

The HT pre-outs for L/R front go to the 2 ch pre, to the HT bypass, or to a free set of inputs if you don't have a bypass and want to do the volume matching thing. Then from the 2 ch pre you go to the L/R front amp. The surrounds and center are fed from the receiver, or if you also have them amped, then you feed those channels from the HT pre outs.

You want to use the HT? You use the HT sources; the L/R front channels go "through" the 2 ch pre.

You want to use the 2 ch? You use the 2 ch sources. The HT receiver/processor is out of the loop.

The only thing that maybe has not been mentioned, is that you need to have a separate amp, at least for the L/R fronts, which are your 2 ch speakers. If you just have a receiver it won't work.

ben62670 · July 2008

Good music sources go straight to the 2 ch pre;) Like mentioned above Ht goes to where? HT;)

tcrossma · July 2008

DVD player analog outs to preamp CD in. DVD player digital to receiver in. Receiver front outs to preamp "aux" in.

This is basically the same setup as when using a preamp that has an HT bypass, the only exception is that with an HT bypass feature you don't have to select the "aux" input nor do you need to adjust the preamp's volume when you want to use the HT. Plus, of course, when using HT without a bypass the signal will be passed through the preamp's volume circuitry, which isn't the case when using one with a bypass.

So all in all, it can be done both ways, with it's more convenient and integration is easier when using a preamp with a bypass.

At least this is my take on the situation and the way I have mine setup, maybe I'm missing something on what she's trying to accomplish.

Polkitup2 · July 2008

Ricardo wrote: »

The way I see it, the only way to have a combined HT/2 channel without interference is to have dedicated sources for 2 channel. You use the 2 channel inputs for them.

The HT sources go into the HT receiver (cable/satellite box, DVD player).

The HT pre-outs for L/R front go to the 2 ch pre, to the HT bypass, or to a free set of inputs if you don't have a bypass and want to do the volume matching thing. Then from the 2 ch pre you go to the L/R front amp. The surrounds and center are fed from the receiver, or if you also have them amped, then you feed those channels from the HT pre outs.

You want to use the HT? You use the HT sources; the L/R front channels go "through" the 2 ch pre.

You want to use the 2 ch? You use the 2 ch sources. The HT receiver/processor is out of the loop.

The only thing that maybe has not been mentioned, is that you need to have a separate amp, at least for the L/R fronts, which are your 2 ch speakers. If you just have a receiver it won't work.

I do the volume matching thing with my two channel pre and it works great. However, the one drawback is that the matching volume level on your pre might be very high compared to what you normally might use to listen to two channel. So if you forget to turn it down you may be in for a big surprise when you go to listen to 2-channel next time.

wingnut4772 · July 2008

I have a headache. I may just sell all the 2 channel stuff. I don't want to buy a new pre that's for sure.

pearsall001 · July 2008

Just use your receiver for both. I've already been down that road with two very good pre's w/ HT bypass (both are now sold). Now my NAD T773 is pulling that duty & I don't miss either of the pre's. Save your money.

reeltrouble1 · July 2008

wingnut4772 wrote: »

I have a headache. I may just sell all the 2 channel stuff. I don't want to buy a new pre that's for sure.

Sorry Wing, you know we could confuse an Icelander about how to build an igloo:D. I would hate for you to sell your 2-ch gear as you worked hard to get it and build that rig.

How many channel's is your HT amp? I thought it was seven but cannot remember.

RT1

wingnut4772 · July 2008

I used to have an Earthquake Cinenova but I sold it.

reeltrouble1 · July 2008

Thats right the cinenova now I remember, ok, so its gone, what do you have for power amp then?

RT1

wingnut4772 · July 2008

Thinking of getting that B&K 200.5 in the FM but right now nothing.

reeltrouble1 · July 2008

The B&K HT amps are nice and are musical, lots of high current. OK, well if you buy that then hook things up like tcross suggests (digital out to A/V Receiver and Analog out to the MF) as its the least evil without a bypass on your MF pre. Later as funds and space allow you could add a seperate two channel amp for music. Remember your HT signal is going through two different gain stages so you are going to have to remember where the volume dial needs to be set on the MF pre before you fire things up.

If you decide to sell the 2-ch gear and have not opened the MF box then I would leave it sealed as you can get a few more dollars for it on the Gon. I would want to set it up and listen to it though, that is afterall what you bought for.

After so long without quality tunes I suspect things will sound good to you no matter the tweaking details.

RT1

Face · July 2008

I did something similar last year.

From my PC music server I ran digital coax to my DAC to my 2ch. pre and optical to my surround sound pre/pro. From my CD/DVD player I ran analog to the 2ch pre and coax to the pre/pro. But, this was with two sets of mains and two separate amps(at one time 4). If you don't mind running two sets of mains, you can always pick up a 7 channel amp, use 2 channels for 2ch(duh), and the other 5 for home theater.

wingnut4772 · July 2008

If I get rid of the 2 channel can I use my Benchmark DAC with the receiver?

Ricardo · July 2008

wingnut4772 wrote: »

If I get rid of the 2 channel can I use my Benchmark DAC with the receiver?

Yes; you can use any of the analog inputs in your receiver.

Polkitup2 · July 2008

For a time I used my Outlaw 1070 receiver for 2 channel listening as well as HT because it was convenient and sounded almost as good as separates. Depends on what you're willing to settle for. You have the pre and the receiver, I would use front pre outs on the receiver to the AUX input on the pre and calibrate the pre's volume for HT. Best of both worlds.

2 Channel and HT in one?

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