ARC LS3 surround sound???

I had to make a compromise to have a nice 2 channel set up: I had to have this system do �double duty� as both 2 channel and home theater to keep the peace at home ( I am sure many of you can sympathize with this ). I have an ARC LS3 preamp, Bryston 4bst, Naim CDX and Revel F30�s for my 2-channel set up. I also have a home theater setup that is a Pioneer Elite VSX-41 receiver and a Pioneer Elite DVD/CD player. I have my HDTV cable box connected into the receiver via a digital coax cable.

To accomplish this I have connected the Elite receiver�s �preamp out� connection into the Bryston�s XLR inputs by way of Audioquest Diamondback RCA interconnects and a set of Cardas RCA/XLR adapters. When using the HT I set the switch at the back of the Bryston to the �XLR� setting, otherwise for 2 channel listening I leave it set to the RCA setting.

My question is this: can I run the Pioneer�s �preamp out� directly into my ARC? I have heard bits and pieces about running the Pioneer�s preamp out into the Arc�s �tape loop� input on the ARC, which would negate having to reach behind the unit to switch the balanced/rca switch as well as eliminate the XLR adapters. But wouldn�t this be running a preamp into a preamp? Wouldn�t there be 2 volumes to control? Did I here this correctly or am I completely nuts?

If anyone can help I would really appreciate it.