HDTV/5.1 Question

I don't have a receiver at all. I've got an Audio Research preamp in a 2 channel system.

You will need to use the analog outs to your AR pre-amp I think. Your DAC has no decoder and as you stated you have no DD/DTS receiver with digital input.

Dave

The cheapest thing to do is to take the analog out from your Samsung Set Top Box (STB) and connect to your pre. If you want to take the digital out (as you suspect, 5.1 for some OTA programming) you WILL need a Digital Surround Processor with a Dolby Digital (DD) Decoder to take the 5.1 audio feed and make it available to an analog preamp. This will allow you to stay away from buying a receiver or preamp/processor combination.

You have several choices with most DD decoders, 1) you can create a 2-channel signal as you describe; 2) you can add a center channel speaker (used largely for dialog) and output 3 channels from the decoder; 3) you can add center, left & right surround speakers and output 5 channels; or (lastly in this case) you can do the Full Monty by adding 3 speakers and a subwoofer.

The cheapest, quality, standalone (non-receiver) DD decoder that I am aware of is a discontinued item from Sony. The model number is SDP-EP9ES, and is referenced in several AudiogoN forum threads. The user manual is in PDF format here. There are several for sale on AudiogoN now for between $175 and $200 (I have no connection with either item).

This should allow you to meet you interest without getting too far down the slippery slope into home theater! :-) Bob.

There is another option. Just select straight PCM digtal output from the HDTV receiver instead of DD. Some of the HDTV receiver has this option.