How many of you guys use a HT processor ?

You will not equal the sound of a good player and preamp no matter how much you spend on the ht processor. A Casablanca w/xtreme dacs does not come close to a trivista cd player + a ayre K5 or the Aestehetix Saturn or VTL 5.5 but will cost a lot more.

If you're only going to listen to two-channel and your objective is to save space; I would look to a player with an integral volume control. There are a number of players with the volume control built in (Theta Miles and there is a Krell integrated player for example) and you could run the output direct to your amp (that would save you even more space). Some think that minimizing the number of interconnects and separate units will result in the best sound.

Good Luck,

John

Romakabi,
I don't know why anyone would buy a HT pre/pro with no intention of using it for HT. Are you getting one at 75% off list? If so, I guess I could see where you are going. However, you'll still need a cd transport and a pre/pro, that's two boxes. IMHO, you'd be better served with a high quality cd player and stereo preamp (still two boxes), for music only purposes. As others have suggested, if cd is your only source, get a high quality cd player w/volume control like a Audio Aero Capitole (one box!), and run it directly into your amp. I really don't see any reason to buy a Theta or EAD pre/pro for music only, unless the price is so low it's basically being given to you. It's like looking to buy a pick-up truck when you've got nothing to haul. A Toyota Camry would be more comfortable and cost less. If you want the pick-up truck/ pre/pro for looks only, or because of a steal of a deal, then that's your right. For around $1K you can get a Audible Illusions M3A that will sound much better on music than pre/pro's costing 10 times more. Get a AA Capitole for $2K and you don't even need a preamp!

Good luck,
John

I have a Theta Casablanca with extreme DACS and still use a pre pro for music, both digital and analog. A ht processor is a computer, not a pre-pro.
You are much better off with a pre-pro and a player for two channel music.

I used to have a combination HT/Listening room. Before I seperated everything. I used a Lexicon processor for both. I thought it sounded great. It worked well for me for some time. Like 2 or 3 years. Then I discovered the sound of tubes. I built a dedicated listening room.
I have built basicaly a Class B system for music. Rogue Magnum M120 monos and a Rogue Magnum 99 pre. Proac Studio 250 speakers. Cal CL 15 CD and a Vpi TT. Also a Graham Slee phono pre. Now I cant even think of combining 2 rooms. Every now and then I will pop in a CD in my HT room. Then I sit and hit play. Get up real quick and think to myself, "what the hell am I doing". My HT room and a lot of time and effort put into the design abd proportions.
18" thick walls, and sized according to the ceiling height.I have 7 Luxury HT chairs in there in 2 levels. 3 in the front row and 4 in the back row.
Even with the thousands spent on my HT equipment that used to pull double duty. And the time and money designing the room for the perfect sound. It doesn't compare to my listening room that is not the ideal measurments.