2. home-theater
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Home Theater and Two Channel With Out Reciever?

Would it be possible for me to substitue my home theater reciever for an amp, pre-amp, CD and DVD player setup? Ideally, I am looking for a system that performs well for music and is adequate for Home Theater. My thought would be to run my amps, cd and dvd player through a dedicated pre-amp and use the processor in my dvd player for Home Theater. Is this possible? If so, are there any draw backs that I should be aware of?

Use the following system for reference:

McCormack DNA-125 2 Channel Amp
McCormakc DNA-HT3 3 Channel Amp
Pre-Amp?
CD Player Music Hall CD-25
DVD Player Toshiba SD-9200
Speakers NHT - VT 2.9
Sub HSU VTF-3

I really have a hard time justifying the huge price for a dedicated processor. Classe, Bryston, Krell, Proceed, all equal big bucks. I also understand that it's possible to use my existing HT reciever as a pre-amp, but I don't want to take the chance of downgrading music performance.

Thanks in advance for any help.
dvincent55edbb
bld63
109 posts
 
I think the surround loop is a fairly common feature on preamps now. McIntosh & Conrad Johnson were the only tube preamps with surround loops I auditioned but I'm sure there are many more.
hear4
11 posts
 
I'm new at this (upgrading from stereo to HT) and am learning the lingo. I'm thinking of doing the same thing. What is a "surround loop" or a "home theater loop." What other terms would this go by, i.e. if I was looking at specs for a receiver what would I look for to make sure the receiver has it.

Thanks
bld63
109 posts
 
Hear 4, the 'surround or home theater loop' also refered to as 'unity gain' input is a feature of a 2-channel preamp not the home theater receiver. This feature allows a 2-channel system to be incorporated into a home theater system. When this feature is selected the 2-channel (music) preamp effectively becomes a wire and the home theater receiver controls the power amp and speakers usually for the front left and right channels. This allows for the amplification and speakers of a seperate and usually higher quality 2-channel music system also be used for home theater.
hear4
11 posts
 
Thanks Bld63. What spec would I look for to see if the pre-amp has the feature. I currently have an eight year old B&K Pro 10 MC and I'd like to keep using it for the time being and just buy a receiver.
bld63
109 posts
 
Hear4, the preamp will have an input called surround or processor and is spec'd as unity or zero gain. If your preamp has this feature it is probapbly labeled as a source selection. My 2-channel preamp is a Proceed and the unity gain input is called SSP. I am not familiar with your preamp but being 8 years old my guess is that it does not have have a processor loop (check your manual or contact B&K). I have read of using a tape loop on a preamp to run a processor on some of the forums here. I don't think it worked as well but don't know for sure. You could research some old threads.
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