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Combine stereo and HT - a good idea or...?

gladiator335

gladiator335

MRTI
I just started pondering an idea of combining my main stereo system with HT setup (sort of). I'm runnig two pairs of speakers with two Yamaha MX-630 amps through Yamaha sound processor. So instead of a processor I'm thinking of buying a decent HT preamp/processor and add a center channel speaker. I have enough power amps for a 5.1 setup so it wouldn't be a problem. Just not sure music will sound as good as it does now. Besides not all modern AV preamps have phono inputs.

So what do you think?
 
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I do, but I also have a separate 2 ch system (that I very rarely use, BTW).

I think the answer you're going to get will be primarily biased toward not doing it. However, from my observations, the level of gear used for the HT part isn't equivalent to the level of gear used on the 2-ch part. When that's the case, it's not a relevant comparison or conclusion, IMO.
 
I do it. I mainly listen to 2 channel. Live I add the use of rear speakers and movies I use rear and center channel with fronts. I have a Yamaha 3 channel amp in the mix, that uses pro logic in several stages. I've had this set up for around 10 years now. Oh yeah. The Yamaha also has a pre out for a sub. I use that too.
 
Here's my setup: TT & tape in to Sansui reciever, reciever, tv, satellite radio & vhs in to Bose HT Lifestyle System out to HT amp & speakers. Sounds good to me, but not as good as the receiver directly to speakers I think, but I don't have any with the capacity to handle the 120 wpc output. This is how I worked around no phono preamp/inputs in the HT. (And how I ended up with the 'sui and on AK in the first place :D) The Bose system has the amp and sub together in one box and the speakers connect there and not at the main unit. I think yours would sound much better though. Just my .02
 
I use my two channel set up for home theater at the moment. Works great. :thmbsp:
 
I use my 2 channel as the front speakers for my HT.

I run pre-level right into an input on my preamp and run it about 2PM position and it mixes perfectly.

My only advice would be to get the 2 chan you want FIRST, THEN get a HT setup that will allow you to run pre level into the 2 channel system.
That way, besides a single input your 2 channel is free of the HT concern ;):music:
 
i have been using my ht rig for music (2-channel) for years. no problem. but i recently dusted off my dynaco tube gear and now i have a dedicated music system. although the 2 systems share the double large advents.
 
Why not just track down a processor with a signal pass-through so you can use your rig for surround and 2 channel? When you bypass the processor, you'd be back to stereo to listen to music.
 
Pulled the trigger and bought Outlaw 950 pre/pro.
The only problem it doesn't have phono input. Any advise on good quality phono preamp which wouldn't brake the bank?
 
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Pulled the trigger and bought Outlaw 950 pre/pro.
The only problem is that doesn't have phono input. Any advise on good quality phono preamp which wouldn't brake the bank?
 
Not my forte, vinyl. Post in the TT/tape section, and I'll bet you'll get some good advice there. Do you have the Outlaw set up yet? Curious to see how it works for you -- let us know! :)
 
It should arrive tomorrow and I also bought Logitech Harmony remote (this one doesn't have one).
So probably over the weekend I'll take my old Carver off and try Outlaw. Just have to sort out speaker setup. I don't have center channel. For front I have a choise between Mirage M5si and Acoustic Research AR-3 Hi-res series. Velodyne CHT10 sub. By the way ARs have build in Sunfire 300 Watt sub amps and 12" side-firing subs. For the rears I have pair of Mirage FRX-7.
 
My loving wife let me play with my toys over the weekend.
So here it goes:

Front speakers - Mirage M5si
Center channel - one Klipsch KG 2.5 (don't have a real center channel speaker yet)
Rear surround speakers - Mirage FRX7
Subwoofer - Velodyne CHT10
Rear surround effects speakers - none yet, but probably will use Klipsches as soon as I get center channel.

Plus one Yamaha MX-600U driving front channels, second one driving rears and M-35 hooked up to center channel.

First watched I AM LEGEND in Dolby Digital. When lion jumped a dear I almost got a heart attack: lion was jumping somewhere from behind and over me. Wow!!!
Second was Terminator 3 with crane chase scene. Impessive as well. All that trucks were crushing through my room.

And finally 5 channel stereo with Dark Side of the Moon and later some Rick Wakeman and Strauss.
Very good. Very wide soundstage (much better than with my Carver preamp with engaged "Sonic Hologram"). The only slightly annoying thing is that all the bass was coming from the left (where my sub currently is)Have to play with speakers placement and buy a phone preamp. But so far so good!
 
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