Analog tube amp/pre-amp for home theater use?

The 7C has a stepped volume control, iirc. If that is so, you can devote one input to L/R HT bypass as long as (1) you calibrate your mch system with the volume on the 7C at a suitable level and (2) you use that setting every time you pay the HT system.

Kal

That sure does sound better than splitting those two nice pieces of equipment up Kal !!!

thanks all. i'm fairly new to this. not currently running a home theater, just setting one up. Does it make sense to get a processor?

I would start by simply connecting the left and right channel analog audio outputs of the cable box and dvd player directly into unused inputs of the 7C (not phono-level inputs, of course).

That won't give you surround sound, of course, and the internal dacs in the cable box and dvd player will most likely not be as good as in a quality external dac, but for purposes of watching cable programs and movies the results could very conceivably prove to be satisfactory. And in any event, there would be nothing lost by trying that first.

Best regards,
-- Al