How to add to my 2-chanl int. amp for home theater

You have to use pre-amp outs from the surround processor, as that is where volume control must lie. If not, while listening to surround material, you will be separately controlling L/R volume on your integrated amp, and the remaining volumes (center/surrounds) from the surround processor.

You cannot take L/R volume control away from the surround processor, that is what it does. The purpose of the separate 2-channel system is for 2-channel only listening.

The issue you may have is how to set the volume to the same place on the 2-channel system so that when you play surround material thru it you maintain the balance of L/R to center/surrounds.

To do this, normally some type of "pass thru" or "processor loop" is employed which bypasses the volume controls of your 2-channel system so that the proper balance is maintained. Lacking this, you will need to have a volume position on your 2-channel that is repeatable and always used when in surround mode.

Hope this helps ...

I just did this for my brother's proceed/logan system. Get a decent receiver like a denon 2804 and use the center & rear amps as normal. For R&L, use the pre-amp outs from the receiver to any inputs in the integrated. Hook up the dvd to the receiver only for 5.1. If you use the dvd for stereo also, use it's rca outs to the integrated as a cd.

When watching movies, find a place to pre-set the volume on the integrated (75%?) and never move it. You will use the level adjustments on the receiver to match the center and rears to the front level of the integrated. After this, the volume on the receiver will control all 5 channels the same. Keep in mind that due to different amps, the volume may increase slightly differently but still can be adjusted by the level controls on the receiver.

A company named Vantas used to make exactly what you are looking for (if dolby digital and prologic is all you need + amps for center and rears), but unfortuantely went belly up. Their stuff was really high end at the time (1998-2000), and is occasionally here on Audiogon or eBay for about $200-300. Check it out. http://www.audioreview.com/A-V+Preamplifier/Vantas/PRD_118434_2719crx.aspx

Elevick is correct! Adding a good receiver that has pre-amp outs is the most cost effective and easiest way to do this. He is also correct that you actually DO want to use the pre-amp in the receiver, not the integrated amp, when using HT. This will allow all channels of volume control to be performed by the reciever (which is the processor for HT).

Adding an HT reciever to power the center and surround, control subwoofer LFE signal and process the digital signal is GREAT because when you listen to music using the integrated, the receiver is not even in the chain. It can be turned off completely so you know it is not "mucking up" you 2-channel music system.

You can easily buy a good HT receiver with pre-outs for $500. If you go used, you can even get an EXCELLENT 5.1 channel HT receiver.

Personally, I like the Sony STR-DB "bridge line" receivers for less than $500, or the Sony STR-ES line for a little more. They are very easy to use compared to some of the Denon, Pioneer and Panasonic receivers that I have also owned. For a killer HT receiver, the B&K AVR-202 can be had for about $750 used. However, I prefer the easy ergonomics of the Sony.

Enjoy,

TIC

I appreciate the suggestion of using the pre-amp outs on an HT receiver for the front channels. Unfortunately, using the pre-amp inputs on my integrated amp will bypass the integrated amp for HT AND for music. Since a receiver won't have as good a preamp as my integrated amp, the sound quality will by compromised. It's not possible to connect the HT receiver's pre-amp outs to a line-level input on my integrated amp, is it?