2. home-theater
  3. 1144327521

Many questions about HT pass-through options

I'm trying to consolidate/simplify equipment in my dual purpose (2 channel and home theater) media room. The net is I want to use the same amplifiers and front speakers for both systems without recabling each time I switch.

I'm completely satisfied with my preamp (Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista) and prefer not to swap it out, but want to easily switch 5.1 (via my pre-pro) to 2 channel and back.

I'm considering a new preamp with home theater passthru, or equivalent alternatives not requiring a new pre.

My questions:

1) Exactly how is HT passthrough implemented in audiophile preamps? Is it simply a high quality switch, or is there something more to it?
2) I read in one post that the standard tape loop can be used for bypass. Is this true? Has anyone done it? Isn't there a risk to the internal circuitry of my preamp?
3) In lieu of a new preamp, is there high quality selector switch that doesn't cost a small fortune? Has anyone made one DIY, and if so, can you recommend good switch parts?

Finally - any recommndations for a good quality preamp, preferably Tube, with a really good phone section, passtrhu, and remote controllable. Budget is in the $1500 range used.

any and all advice or opinion is welcome, and appreciated
bdgregory
bdgregory OP
1,716 posts
 
thanks for the responses so far . . .

Let me add a little qualification to my set-up. My listening in this room is probably 85% 2 channel, but virtually all of the 5.1 listening is Music/Concert video. We watch movies in the living room, and I frankly am much less critical of the sound for movies as you all point out.

I still like the idea of trying the pre-input first since it's free and easy. I guess that's where I'll start, and if I find noticable degradation due to the preamp circuitry, I'll try something else.

Anticipating that - any other advice on a switch, or a Tube pre with HT bypass?

thanks again, Brad G.
jmpwme
106 posts
 
check this thread:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1144184070&read&3&4&

There are other as well under the pre-amp/Amp forum.
kjweisner's avatar
kjweisner
293 posts
 
A BAT VK3i (and I assume other BAT pre-amps) have a volume setting called Unity Gain, which is essentially a HT throughput. The volume control is effectively removed from the circuit.

As a two channel audio only pre-amp, the BAT line is excellent and the VK-3i can be had at truly bargain prices on a'gon.
john_fink
140 posts
 
I had my "stereo guy" tackle this issue for me a few years ago. I have a switchbox that I click in when I want 5.1 and I click out for two channel. I just added a Audio Research SP16 pre that has a processor mode and a nice phono stage. My dealer gave me a great deal in February by selling it to me for $2000 new. I think it lists for $2500 and the price may have gone up. You might be able to find one used at a fair price.
flrnlamb
508 posts
 
I agree with Dave's method on a standard preamp, with no "bypass"/"direct" input. The auxilary or whatever works fine.
Degrade sound? Not usually a problem really. Just because there's two volume controls in line, doesn't mean degradation IME. Infact, if you're 2 channel pre's sound was pure from that input to begin with, you should have no problem with the same kind of pure sound you'd otherwise get just using the AV pre'pro for the L/R!
Yep, 12 oclock, or you can tinker.
I've, yes also, used this setup many times, and it works great.
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