Stereo Preamp with HT Receiver?
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You need a preamp with a HT bypass that allows the receiver to drive the mains unity gain through the 2ch pre. The HT mode basically disables the volume control and the receiver's volume control is the master volume when in HT mode. It's how I'm set up and it works well, I'm using an older Sony receiver but hope to get the Emo UMC 1 when it's available.
If you do a search here for HT Bypass you will find a number of threads on the subject. I have had several preamps in my HT system with HT Bypass. I currently have the Bel Canto PRe3.
Bill
Quote:
Originally Posted by starcycle /forum/post/15517577
So your receiver goes out to the preamp? I'm confused.![]()
If you do a search here for HT Bypass you will find a number of threads on the subject. I have had several preamps in my HT system with HT Bypass. I currently have the Bel Canto PRe3.
Bill
You could also look at the manuals for preamps that have HT Bypass. I have had the Proceed Pre, PS Audio PCA-2, Rogue Audio Perseus and the BC PRe3. You might find in some of the mentioned preamp manuals connection and usage advice. Once you see how a preamp with HT Bypass connects/integrates with a HT processor/receiver it is fairly basic. Good luck
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Bill
You could also look at the manuals for preamps that have HT Bypass. I have had the Proceed Pre, PS Audio PCA-2, Rogue Audio Perseus and the BC PRe3. You might find in some of the mentioned preamp manuals connection and usage advice. Once you see how a preamp with HT Bypass connects/integrates with a HT processor/receiver it is fairly basic. Good luck
Bill
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1,059 Posts
Check out this thread: Pre-amps with HT pass thru
And this thread has in it my lists of preamps I compiled: 2-Channel PreAmp users with Integra 9.8
Both have many suggestions for manufacturers and models.
And this thread has in it my lists of preamps I compiled: 2-Channel PreAmp users with Integra 9.8
Both have many suggestions for manufacturers and models.
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2,570 Posts
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How much did you pay for this Bel Canto PRe3?
How much did you pay for this Bel Canto PRe3?
I will not respond to the above. I have notified the Mods as the above post is nothing but an attempt to provoke an argument. Hopefully a ban will be the end result.
This is another great thread where members are here to try to help each other through their experience and knowledge. Every post a positive one with good intentions. Then of course the above post which we all know is not meant to help anyone. Is everyone else sick of this as well? If you are please contact the Mods as well.
Bill
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor /forum/post/15535631
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How much did you pay for this Bel Canto PRe3?
I will not respond to the above. I have notified the Mods as the above post is nothing but an attempt to provoke an argument. Hopefully a ban will be the end result.
This is another great thread where members are here to try to help each other through their experience and knowledge. Every post a positive one with good intentions. Then of course the above post which we all know is not meant to help anyone. Is everyone else sick of this as well? If you are please contact the Mods as well.
Bill
Joined
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2,570 Posts
Why are people so offended when you post a picture of the hardware of the component that they own? Word to the wise, the case might look good but you better do your research on what is on the inside.
Why are people so offended when you post a picture of the hardware of the component that they own? Word to the wise, the case might look good but you better do your research on what is on the inside.
Well, unless you have some insight into why the components pictured n the inside are not worth a given price, your posts are useless. It is no wonder people take offense. That's like posting a picture of the inside of a car engine and claiming people paid to much without any explanation.
Well, unless you have some insight into why the components pictured n the inside are not worth a given price, your posts are useless. It is no wonder people take offense. That's like posting a picture of the inside of a car engine and claiming people paid to much without any explanation.
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2,570 Posts
They are no different or better then a basic receiver so where would this increase in sound quality come from. The problem is that people just assume that becuase it is a 2CH pre amp that it will be better, people also base this on name/price.
Irrelevant.
They are no different or better then a basic receiver so where would this increase in sound quality come from. The problem is that people just assume that becuase it is a 2CH pre amp that it will be better, people also base this on name/price.
Irrelevant.
Actually it is entirely anologous. I could show you a picture of two v6 engines and claim they were the same, then question the purchase of the one with a more well known "name." You are doing the same thing. Do you honestly believe that because the innards of a component look alike that they will be functionally the same?
Actually it is entirely anologous. I could show you a picture of two v6 engines and claim they were the same, then question the purchase of the one with a more well known "name." You are doing the same thing. Do you honestly believe that because the innards of a component look alike that they will be functionally the same?
starcycle, this is what ive run for years. Im still using my Sony ES receiver from 2001 as my HT receiver.. I have the sony drive the center, surrounds, and sub.. For my mains, i connect the rotel preamp to the sony receiver's preouts. The rotel preamp drives the rotel rb-1070 amp to which ive connected my front main tower speakers. Now, the volume control on the rotel preamp is functional.. I set my levels at the receiver so that the mains have the proper level, controllable both at the receiver AND the preamp. If i want more volume on the mains relative to the other speakers, just change the preamp volume. Very simple, and very good sounding. I think when you plug interconnects into the preouts, that automatically sends the signal that would have gone to your mains over to your amp or preamp connection at the end of your preout interconnects. I dont know, but it works like a champ.
Now, my cd player is connected to BOTH the receiver, and to the preamp.. When i want the purest stereo sound, i dont even have to turn on the receiver; I can run it directly via the preamp/amp circuit.. And if i want o play a cd and include the surrounds and sub, i just turn on the receiver and set the input im using at the preamp back to receiver instead of cd. gives alot of flexibility with no drawbacks. I dont have a labeled HT bypass per se, but i dont see the drawback.. this works like a champ.
Im switching over to my new Yamaha htr-6160/rx-v663 HT receiver shortly, and trust Ill be able to functionally use the same hookups.
As i checked more about this ht passthrough in some preamps, I see it disables the volume control on that circuit, and only uses volume from the ht receiver.. Why is that an advantage? Id Much rather be able to continue using the preamp's volume control to set my mains.. I dont always want my mains to have the same levels as my center/surrounds, etc.Sometimes, with music, I want a more prominent mains signal, combined with weaker surrounds. Sure i could set that within the receiver, but its not nearly as direct as being able to control their volume at the preamp. I cant see where losing the preamp vol control is a positive. Maybe someone can comment on that.
hope this gives you some insight into the situation.
starcycle, this is what ive run for years. Im still using my Sony ES receiver from 2001 as my HT receiver.. I have the sony drive the center, surrounds, and sub.. For my mains, i connect the rotel preamp to the sony receiver's preouts. The rotel preamp drives the rotel rb-1070 amp to which ive connected my front main tower speakers. Now, the volume control on the rotel preamp is functional.. I set my levels at the receiver so that the mains have the proper level, controllable both at the receiver AND the preamp. If i want more volume on the mains relative to the other speakers, just change the preamp volume. Very simple, and very good sounding. I think when you plug interconnects into the preouts, that automatically sends the signal that would have gone to your mains over to your amp or preamp connection at the end of your preout interconnects. I dont know, but it works like a champ.
Now, my cd player is connected to BOTH the receiver, and to the preamp.. When i want the purest stereo sound, i dont even have to turn on the receiver; I can run it directly via the preamp/amp circuit.. And if i want o play a cd and include the surrounds and sub, i just turn on the receiver and set the input im using at the preamp back to receiver instead of cd. gives alot of flexibility with no drawbacks. I dont have a labeled HT bypass per se, but i dont see the drawback.. this works like a champ.
Im switching over to my new Yamaha htr-6160/rx-v663 HT receiver shortly, and trust Ill be able to functionally use the same hookups.
As i checked more about this ht passthrough in some preamps, I see it disables the volume control on that circuit, and only uses volume from the ht receiver.. Why is that an advantage? Id Much rather be able to continue using the preamp's volume control to set my mains.. I dont always want my mains to have the same levels as my center/surrounds, etc.Sometimes, with music, I want a more prominent mains signal, combined with weaker surrounds. Sure i could set that within the receiver, but its not nearly as direct as being able to control their volume at the preamp. I cant see where losing the preamp vol control is a positive. Maybe someone can comment on that.
hope this gives you some insight into the situation.
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Irrelevant, since it has nothing to do with audio.
I am looking at it primarly for a price stand point for starters, if they charged $300 for the pre amp I would not have a problem with it. Then people state that it sounds so much better but as we can see the design and parts used are nothing special or better then a receiver/processor. And last I have a problem with it because people assume it will sound better based on name/price/ and how fancy the case looks.
Irrelevant, since it has nothing to do with audio.
I am looking at it primarly for a price stand point for starters, if they charged $300 for the pre amp I would not have a problem with it. Then people state that it sounds so much better but as we can see the design and parts used are nothing special or better then a receiver/processor. And last I have a problem with it because people assume it will sound better based on name/price/ and how fancy the case looks.
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10,718 Posts
The idea is your HT receiver/processor is supposed to be calibrated, isn't it?
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Either with an onboard auto-calibration solution or manually with an SPL meter.
So all channels from the receiver should have the same output from the PERSPECTIVE of the listening position from where the measurements were made.
That's why preamps with HT bypass or either passive or unity gain - so they do not change the balance established in the receiver.
Your way = running an un-balanced soundfield which is counter-intuitive.
Nothing wrong with that, if that is your desire to tweak surrounds or center, etc. But realize it's not balanced for Dolby/THX calibrated speaker levels and the vast majority of users want to maintain the calibrated settings they paid for using the receiver's auto-calibration features, took the time to obtain manually, or paid a high-priced calibrator to achieve.
You can still tweak your mains or any other channel's volume to your heart's content using the receiver's balance/volume controls. Receiver manufacturers are not designing for 2 channel preamps with HT bypass. It's the opposite that is true. Receiver & 2 channel preamp manufacturers expect you to change levels in the core HT processor/receiver.
Don't expect the preamp manufacturers to design their product based on a counter-intuitive or even counter-productive idea.
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ss9001
The idea is your HT receiver/processor is supposed to be calibrated, isn't it?
Either with an onboard auto-calibration solution or manually with an SPL meter.
So all channels from the receiver should have the same output from the PERSPECTIVE of the listening position from where the measurements were made.
That's why preamps with HT bypass or either passive or unity gain - so they do not change the balance established in the receiver.
Your way = running an un-balanced soundfield which is counter-intuitive.
Nothing wrong with that, if that is your desire to tweak surrounds or center, etc. But realize it's not balanced for Dolby/THX calibrated speaker levels and the vast majority of users want to maintain the calibrated settings they paid for using the receiver's auto-calibration features, took the time to obtain manually, or paid a high-priced calibrator to achieve.
You can still tweak your mains or any other channel's volume to your heart's content using the receiver's balance/volume controls. Receiver manufacturers are not designing for 2 channel preamps with HT bypass. It's the opposite that is true. Receiver & 2 channel preamp manufacturers expect you to change levels in the core HT processor/receiver.
Don't expect the preamp manufacturers to design their product based on a counter-intuitive or even counter-productive idea.
ss9001
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9,905 Posts
Wow, are you touchy or what? I think he asked a valid question.
It does remind me of something I once saw..... a Porche with VW running gear.
Wow, are you touchy or what? I think he asked a valid question.
It does remind me of something I once saw..... a Porche with VW running gear.
The thing is it is not a valid question. Ole' DW likes to judge audio components by specs and internals alone. If you follow his posts you will see this, he never mentions that he actually listens to any of the components he slams. He will tell many members here that they are wasting their money on Krell, Bel Canto, MacIntosh and many others. But he never mentions that he has actually heard these.
I do not know about you but I judge a component on its SQ not on specs alone. I was listening to some 2CH music today and switched between the PRe3 and Onkyo 805. With levels matched as best by ear the SQ with the PRe3 is quite a bit better than the 805 in Pure Audio mode. This opinion is based on actual comparisons in my system. If anyone can show me a $500.00 receiver that has better SQ for 2CH than the PRe3 I will buy it in a heartbeat
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The post of the picture of the internals of the PRe3 was a lead into him telling me I wasted my money. Well I have had a number of preamps in my system and the PRe3 is not a waste of money IMO. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but to make endless negative assumptions on components you have never heard is worthless IMO.
I see you are a fan of Emotiva amps, they are an excellent amp. Now if DW was slamming Emotiva or any of your favorite choices you might have a little different outlook
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Bill
The thing is it is not a valid question. Ole' DW likes to judge audio components by specs and internals alone. If you follow his posts you will see this, he never mentions that he actually listens to any of the components he slams. He will tell many members here that they are wasting their money on Krell, Bel Canto, MacIntosh and many others. But he never mentions that he has actually heard these.
I do not know about you but I judge a component on its SQ not on specs alone. I was listening to some 2CH music today and switched between the PRe3 and Onkyo 805. With levels matched as best by ear the SQ with the PRe3 is quite a bit better than the 805 in Pure Audio mode. This opinion is based on actual comparisons in my system. If anyone can show me a $500.00 receiver that has better SQ for 2CH than the PRe3 I will buy it in a heartbeat
The post of the picture of the internals of the PRe3 was a lead into him telling me I wasted my money. Well I have had a number of preamps in my system and the PRe3 is not a waste of money IMO. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but to make endless negative assumptions on components you have never heard is worthless IMO.
I see you are a fan of Emotiva amps, they are an excellent amp. Now if DW was slamming Emotiva or any of your favorite choices you might have a little different outlook
Bill
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