What did you add to your 2 channel system to do HT?


My system is really two channel with components added to create a low budget home theatre system.  My LTA MicroZOTL preamp has a HT input that basically locks the level. Not a true pass-through like my conrad johnson had, but it works. Things I've added include:

Onkyo TX-RZ820 receiver which is only used for processing 

Adcom GFA555 amp for center channel 

Denon PMA600 amp for two surround speakers 

Sonus Faber center channel speaker 

PSB CS500 surround speakers

SVS PB12-nsd subwoofer (in addition to my REL subs) 

Sony Ubp-x800m2 Blu Ray

75 inch Samsung HD LED tv

Pretty low budget and mismatched.  I had the Adcom laying around, so I put it to use.  The system sounds good enough for the little bit of movie watching I do.  The Onkyo will do 7 channel, but only doing 5.1. 

I'm curious to hear what other people do to convert a two channel setup to multichannel? 

sls883

Your weakness is your surround speakers.  I use floorstanders for all of them.  I use 7.2 

Your HT bypass makes it easy to do right.

Jerry

@carlsbad2 yeah, they're not the best, but decent for a ceiling mounted speaker.  I forget to mention that I'm using a small Martin Logan subwoofer with the two surround speakers.  That helps some.

My furniture doesn't really work with floor standers in the rear. I have a pair of Von Schweikert VR-4 sitting unused, but they're pretty huge.

I had been using some tiny surrounds by Cambridge Audio thinking the rears were mostly just ambience. I hooked up the PSB and ML sub and I hear all kinds of stuff now coming from the rear channels. 

My 2 channel HT system integration goal is great 2 channel, good enough HT.

Vantas S50A - It has an HT processor, sub out and 3 channel amp. The front R/L output is sent to my system through my preamp input so my main speakers (ProAc monitors or LRS depending on my mood) are my fronts. I have B&W Rock Solid Monitors for rears mounted on the ceiling and  B&W CC6 S2 center. I have a Rythmic 15 in sub that is used for music and HT. I have to turn the sub volume up for HT.

Through the Vantas the volume tracks with my main amp as well so my 2 channel preamp controls the whole HT set up. The only issue is that Vantas went belly up so the HT decoder is a few generations out of date.

No HT equipment is in my 2 channel signal path.

The HT system is far from SOTA, but makes great movie nights.

 

I use a completely separate system for video - Marantz AV 7702 Mk2, Rowland 5, Mission Cyrus 782, Vandersteen VSM-1 (x4), Hsu VTF-15H Mk 2 (x2) and a 110" screen and Queen Bee projector.

@g2the2nd with HT bypass, there is never any HT circuitry, not even a jumper wire, in your 2 channel system.  you can work on your 2 channel system all you want, upgrade it forever, and it is completely independent.  When it is time to watch a movie, your 2 channel system functions as your front 2 channels. 

Many have the wrong impression that the HT Bypass requires your 2 channel system to go through a bypass system for 2 channel sound.  It is just the opposite, your HT bypass sends the front 2 channels of the movie through a circuit that bypasses the preamp volume control to your 2 channel amp.  by bypassing the preamp, the HT decoder is now driving and controlling the volume of your 2 channel system.

Jerry