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

@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

@sls883 I didn’t really answer your question. My 2 channel system is all digital, Grimm streamer, Lampizator DAC, Akustika Eterna Amp, Horning Eufrodite PM65 Speakers. I had the amp custom made with 2 inputs (functions like an HT bypass). So I just select the input that the front 2 channels of my HT system are hooked to.

I have a Marantz Cinema 50 AV receiver. I haven’t added dirac live yet, I just use the onboard software and the microphone to set it up. I have Tekton center channel and surrounds (DIs, Encores, and Electron SEs).

I have HSU Research subs.

Jerry

@carlsbad2 Nice system.  I've not heard of those speakers, but they look quite interesting with four 8" woofer.  

My conrad-johnson preamps had a true theatre pass through.  The front channels from the surround processor went straight through the preamp to my amplifier.  My LTA is not that way and it confused me at first when I was trying to level match the 5 channels.  LTA picked some random output level for one of the inputs that is labeled HT and locked it there.  I contacted them to verify this. 

@carlsbad2 I should mention that you don't have to assign the HT designation to any of the inputs, so if you don't need it, you don't use it. 

@sls883 But the HT designation and the assigned volume only applies to the HT use of the system, the 2 channel hi-fi use is just normal.  

Thanks.   The speakers are really sweet and show off the amp well.

jerry