Dumb question HT bypass

L&R front pre-outs from the HT receiver, connected via RCA interconnect cables into the HT bypass inputs of the pre-amp or integrated amp. Once you have this external amplification connected to the receiver, re-run the receiver's setup routine to account for the different amplification specifications of this external amplification.

As you can see, the "add-on" HT does not affect your 2-channel system in any way, and the HT receiver does not even need to be turned-on to play 2-channel content (as long as you have your 2-channel sources connected directly to your pre-amp/integrated amp).

And when you want to play multi-channel/HT content, turn on the HT receiver, select the HT bypass input on the pre-amp/integrated amp, and now the amplification and speakers in your 2-channel rig become the front L&R amps/speakers for your HT/multi-channel rig.

I've done it several times, with different systems I own, since my 2-channel systems and HT systems are in the same room. Great, easy way to share your main speakers between the two systems, and not have any sound quality degradation from the (typically) compromised HT receiver.

Not sure if any AVRs have balanced pre-outs, but I use XLR cables from processor to preamp. Setup works just as Reuben describes. Source is either balanced stereo direct to preamp or HDMI to processor that sends balanced front LR to preamp.

@reubent

Thanx Good explain.
Probably why I couldn’t get head around it, no pre outs on my AVR. 5.1 SQ now is quite enjoyable without extra cabling.
I knew that it was for sharing main speakers just not the logistics.
I actually asked for another brainstorm.
Thank ya.

Excellent explanation. I do the same and actually rarely use my 5.1 preamp at all because it just doesn't sound very good compared to the preamp I use for stereo listening. I don't know of an AVR that has XLR's, but maybe. There are multi-channel preamps that have XLR's.

The preferred method for HT bypass is to disconnect the AVR and leave it by the curb.