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

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

I use my HH Scott 222D in my video rig (2.1 only using DVD, no surround) and am amazed at how much of the movie's soundtrack fills the room. In ZERO hurry to go 5.1 and sacrifice the musicality for back fill.