Hot Setup? Pre/Pro for HT and 2ch

Kennyt, why skip the AVP if two channel is a concern? I am almost sure the left and right channel Dacs in the AVP are the same Dacs that are in the PAV/PDSD, it's just that the PAV/PDSD had five and not just two. Please make me understand how it is your comments make sense if that is right. Thanks.

I have a very good music system that also does HT. I tried buying a high-end HT receiver(B&K AVR202), and it couldn't match my 15 year old budget audiophile system for music, so I started over with a different plan. I build a good music system using the Arcam Alpha 10 Integrated Amp. The Arcam, like many other quality pre-amps/integrated amplifiers, has an HT bypass which will allow you to connect a HT processor or receiver for HT duties. I bought a cheap used Denon AVR3300 for the HT duties. It provides the three additional channels of power(center,surrounds), LFE/HT bass managment and the digital inputs and tuner for my system.

This setup works well for music because the cheap HT receiver is not in the chain when listening to music, but you can hit the HT bypass switch and have great HT anytime you need it. Works great, is relatively cheap and provides very good 2-channel music.

This setup can be used with any 2-channel pre-amp or integrated that has an HT bypass.

Reubent,
I've been using something like that and I think it works well. My Krell 500i has "Theater Through-put" which bypasses the integrated's volume control allowing one to adjust the volume for HT through the AV processor/pre.

My outlaw 1050 powers the center, r/l surround, rear
center, and sends a LFE signal to my sub. The outlaw is a good home theater receiver at a bargain of a price but.. sounds a little dark.

There has to be a better setup...

What about this:

I am thinking that maybe the BEST setup would be to get an Amplifier with balanced inputs & single ended inputs.
Connect a CD player with Balanced outputs to a two channel pre-amp, and then to the amplifiers balanced input.

This way the 2 channel would only utilize the 2 channel components through balanced connections.

From the HT pre/processor run single ended (RCA) line level outs directly to the amplifier for Left and Right HT.

Wouldn't this work?

IMHO there are a couple of other choices out there. In the budget realm is the Anthem AVM2. Works great for HT and sounds darn good as a stereo preamp. Has direct bypass. On the other end of the scale is the Krell HTS2. I have used them both. While they each have a different sound they are both very nice pieces.