ARC LS 25 Mk 11 Bypass

you could do this yourself with a simple A/B switch and forget about a theater through pass input

True, but I still want the tube line stage there to make use of my 2-channel analog sources. And I do not want to fuss with disconnecting the IC-pair to the amp everytime I choose the line stage or the pre/pro as a purist might do. All I ask for is this simplistic "toggle function" wrapped in the line stage's implementation. And for days and days or weeks where only movies might be played, the line stage is powered off.

Billbench & Oneobgyn
Yes it does alter the sound, it has to because the signal passes through the tubes, but the Ref 3 is so good that I think it gives it a better sound stage. I have a Meridian G68 for HT.
I had a VAC Standard LE Tube Preamp by the way and it just passes the signal through wiring and not the tubes, it can be off while you are in HT mode.
AND tlg.
The stereo preamp that has HT mode either sets the output volume at a constant and repeatable level all the time or just pass the siganal straight though via wiring. Your HT is controlling the volume as if the stereo preamp was not there and it can also be calabrated correctly.
Also this stops you from having to set the volume on your stereo preamp. If you do not set the volume exactly same way everytime any calabration you have done will not be correct. A HT not calabrated is a waist off time and money.
As with most analog volome controls, because they work with resistance, being off a little can mean alot so you are much better off this HT passthrough.

I just ordered an LS 26 and spoke with Leonard at Audio Research. According to Leonard, the sound will be improved through the HT Pass through of the LS26. I will post a note when i try it myself next month. Happy listening!

Stevecsi, please do. Curious about LS-26 in general.

The quality of the signal path offered by any ARC preamp with a unity gain processor input is far superior to that of any digital surround processor, enough so that it will not be a source of sonic degradation. Many listeners may actually find that the sound improves when going through the ARC.

The type of listener who uses a dedicated 2-channel analog preamp with a processor input, does so precisely because of its superior sound quality and signal handling purity. If their digital surround unit was capable of sounding as good, there would be no reason for them to pursue a dedicated preamp in the first place.