How to get 2 Channel and Home theater in one packa

I've tried many configurations to accomplish what you're seeking. The one I have now is by far the best and most cost effective.

I have a separate 2ch preamp, and a pre/pro. I'm using a Lexicon DC-1 which I find is quite nice for the money and more than satisfactory for my purposes and budget. There are many others including this one that will fit your budget IMO. For speakers, I have Von Schweikerts all around. VR4-genIII's for mains and 2 channel; LCR-15 center, VR-3's for the rear, and a Rel sub for LFE. I run the front L/R channel outs to one of my 2ch preamp inputs. In my case I don't have processor passthru on my pre, so I calibrate the pre/pro volume with my preamp volume set at 12 o'clock (see my thread that discussed this at length - I got some good input from our fellow Agon'ers.

With this setup my 2 channel and HT share the same main power amp and speakers. It is optimized for 2 channel. If you prefer to optimize for HT, you may just go with a better pre/pro with 2 channel bypass and leave out the 2 ch preamp. For HT, you only need the add'l Ctr and Rr speakers and amps. You could accomplish this also using a HT receiver as described above too.

For pre/pro choices I suggest you search the archives to see what options fit your needs/budget. Likewise for 2 ch pre and amps. If you're not opposed to used I think your budget will easily set you up nicely. Other decisions you'll have to make are whether to go with a multi-champ, or separates. There are good options either way.

Here's the thread discussing passthru setup.
[url]http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?bhome&1144327521&openmine&zzBdgregory&4&5#Bdgregory[/url]

The setup Bdgregory describes is a good option. I participated in the thread that he referenced and agree that it is a good way of doing things, especially if your priority is a "no compromise" 2-channel system, but one that will also do HT.

I call one of these systems a "combo system". First, you build a quality 2-channel music system, then you add HT functionality to it. The added HT equipment does not have any affect on the 2-channel primary system.

So, in a combo system, you build the 2-channel rig by using a quality pre-amp and power amp, or a quality integrated amp. You connect 2 speakers and add a source and you are done with the 2-channel portion. For HT duties, you buy a decent HT receiver with pre-outs (for at least the front L&R channels) and connect it to your pre-amp/integrated amp using either any open input jacks or a dedicated HTbypass/processor loop (if your pre-amp has this feature). You connect the center speaker, surrounds and sub to the HT receiver and connect your HT source (DVD player, cable box, TV, etc.) to the receiver for processing.

To play music, just use the 2-channel rig. No need to even turn on the HT receiver as it is not part of the system. For HT, also turn on the HT receiver and select the appropriate input on your pre-amp. Now the 2-channel rig is part of the HT system, acting as the amplification and front L&R speakers for the HT setup.

It sounds more complicated than it really is. I think it is a good choice for many people with a 2-channel music priority. It doesn't compromise 2-channel at all, and adds good HT to the mix.

I've had a combo setup on numerous occassions and it worked well.

I also like my previous idea of the Linar model 10 driving a 5.1 speaker setup!

Enjoy,
TIC

I totally disagree with these guys.
They end up processing music through a mediocre receiver and then run it on a really nice 2 channel rig-it degrades the sound.
Also, you really should have equal sound/speakers/amplification through your front 3 channels to get a really nice sound field and imaging for theater. You'll never get good theater sound the way described above (lousy dvda & sacd also).
That's why I'd recommend a really nice pre/pro (lexicon, anthem, B&k...). Great stereo & theater in one package. Some of these will even have 2 channel pass through to avoid any degredation of sound quality.

I dont think any system with a Sony / Harmon or antything like that would be of any interest at the moment.
Lexicon / Anthem are of some ideas, I am also including Meridian but at the asking price I am not going to be that lucky but does Krell make a HT Pre that has a 2C option linked to its KAV Power amp? Any suggestions on that would be highly appreciated.

Cheers

Rapogee

I use a Proceed PAV/PDSD preamp/processor combination, but a AVP-2 would do as well. I use balanced outputs to Proceed 2 and 3 channel amps. For stereo, only the 2 channel amp is used to drive a pair of bi-wired KEF 104/2s with a Velodyne HGS-15. Center channel is a KEF 200C, surrounds are KEF 102/2s. I'm pleased with this system both for sterero music and movies.

I currently use a Sony S9000ES CD/SACD/DVD player, but expect to move to a Sony SCD-1 CD/SACD player and Blue-Ray (or HD-DVD) in the future. For CD, I use the Sony digital output with the Proceed DAC.

This stuff used is probably in your price range.

db