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Bi-amping for HT

I have an older Audio Research D-90 amp and SP-12 pre amp that I absolutely love for music. I also have a HT system that's mid-fi with a Pioneer A/V reciever that I would like to upgrade.

My question: is it possible to use the ARC D-90 for the HT front speakers by using a Pre-out from a newer receiver?
I mainly listen to FLAC/WMV files off my PC hard drive through a Music Streamer which works and sounds very nice.
Any recommendations on receivers with Pre's that could do this?
jamesk58
bdgregory
1,715 posts
 
well, in HT Mode, it will indeed be fully remote controllable. But when in 2 channel music mode, it's the same as you have today.

as Meiwan and I indicated, using the HT Pre for 2 channel music will be a bad idea. I've tried multiple high end HT Pre-Pros and even they don't compare to a good 2 channel preamp when listening to music. An option is to sell your SP12 and by a good remote controllable 2 channel preamp. That's what I did.
jamesk58 OP
73 posts
 
Yes, I have considered that but would still like to have the rear speakers for movies and sports. They do fill in nicely but just can't figure out how to keep the rears with the ARC 2 channel gear.

I could go with a nice Marantz or other HT receiver but pretty sure I still won't get that ARC tube sound. If I get a new Pre w/remote that still won't allow for 4 channels, correct?
bdgregory
1,715 posts
 
If I get a new Pre w/remote that still won't allow for 4 channels, correct?
Wrong - you need to focus on what's going on in the scheme I described. for music - it's 2 channel, for HT it's 5.1, or 7.1, or whatever you configure. Furthermore, in HT Mode - all channels are controlled by the Receiver remote. It's only in 2 channel music mode that you don't have remote control. You can remedy this by getting a new preamp that has remote.
jamesk58 OP
73 posts
 
OK, so I would need a new pre w/remote AND a new HT receiver w/pre-outs (my current Pioneer does not have speaker pre-outs). Hook-up the front speaker pre-outs from the new HT to the new pre-amp In's? That would give me complete remote for TV and music.

Or, just get a new HT receiver, keep the SP12, hook it up similar, and use the preamp manually for music but it will work remotely under the HT receiver if I keep the volume set at a predetermined level?
bdgregory
1,715 posts
 
that's right. Think of the preamp as simply being a passive connector between your HT receiver and your power amp when you're using it for HT. This way the volume control is fixed on the SP12, and the volume for all HT channels are controlled by the remote for the receiver.

If you do decide to buy a new 2 channel preamp - you may want to consider getting one that has HT bypass built in. It's better and more convenient, but not essential.
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