2. home-theater
  3. 125226-126

How to merge home theater with 2 channel

I currently have 2 channel but I just purchased a projector and 120" screen. What is the least expensive way to combine home theater with my existing 2 channel. I don't need it to be at the same level as my 2 channel, but I'm assuming I need to match the center channel with my main speakers? My 2 channel system: Jeff Rowland(JR) 625 S2 amp, JR Corus preamp that has home theater bypass, JR Aeris DAC, Bryston BDP2, OPPO BDP-103 Blu-ray player, and Monitor Audio PL500 speakers.
ricred1
reubent
7,043 posts
 
r1,

You are in luck! Since you already have a quality 2-channel rig and a pre-amp w/theater pass-through, you can simple add a quality HT receiver and the extra speakers. To do this, you will need an HT receiver with pre-outs. You will simply run the front L&R main speaker pre-outs into the theater input of your pre-amp. Power your center and surround speakers from the HT receiver and connect the HT sources (DVD/BlueRay) to your HT receiver with an HDMI cable.

When you play your 2-channel rig you won't even need to power up the HT receiver. When you play HT/multi-channel, you will select the HT bypass on your pre-amp and the front L&R mains will be powered by your Rowland and the center and surrounds will be powered by the HT receiver.

I've successfully used this style of 2-channel/Combo system many times over the years. It can work very well and is only slightly more complicated than a standard HT rig. It will work best if you can match your center and surrounds (less important than the center) to your main speakers. You will also want to get a quality HT receiver than will have enough power to integrate with your mains.

Good luck and enjoy.........

TIC
soix
9,694 posts
 
Ditto what Reubent said.  I've done the same with great success and my priorities are identical to yours.  If I'm you I'd get the Monitor Audio PLC350 as it will probably be the best match for your PL500s short of adding another PL500.  For the receiver I'd recommend something like the Yamaha RX-A2060 that should provide decent enough sound quality for HT but doesn't cost so much that it'll be painful to replace when standards, connectivity, etc. inevitably change.  Hope this helps and best of luck.
ricred1 OP
2,055 posts
 
Thanks TIC and Soix for your response. I'll install the projector and screen tomorrow. I hope to experiment with your suggestions this weekend and will let you know how it goes. After talking to Oppo technical support, I will run the projector and cable through the Oppo. They said to connect my optical cable from the Oppo to the DAC. 
More to discover