EAD Bass Management

I'm fairly certain that the Pass-Thru connections are just that - pure pass through of whatever analog signals the source outputs. There is no processing or A-to-D/D-to-A conversion that could give you bass management through this connection.

If you NEED Bass Management for a 2-channel source, use a set of the standard (non-pass-thru) TheaterMaster inputs, either to accept the analog signal via RCA cables and convert it to digital for processing within the TM, or via a digital cable connection from your source to use the DAC's in the TheaterMaster. The first way would be an A-to-D conversion, processing for BM, then D-to-A for output, while the second would keep things in the digital world all the way from the source to the output DAC's in the TM.

These are VERY good 24/192 DAC's, and may actually sound better then your source's DAC's because the TM has extensive BM, distance and crossover adjustability that can 'steer' the sound between speakers & sub very efficiently and manage bass quite well.

There are 2 other alternatives that you may want to consider:

1> Use a sub like a REL (I have a Stadium III), which connects to the LFE of your pre/pro for HT effects *AND* to the speaker-level outputs of your amp simultaneously. That way, you don't NEED any Bass Mgt processing when playing a standard CD or album via pure analog 2-channel pass-thru. That assumes you intend to send a full-range signal to your main speakers, of course.

2> Use an out-board Bass Mgt device like the Outlaw Audio ICBM. This unit has an excellent reputation and doesn't cost too much.

For reference, I have a TM8000Pro now, and have been very pleased with it so far. I feel EAD makes Excellent pre/pro's - enough so that I am in the midst of upgrading to an 8800Pro to take advantage of the all-balanced connections that my amp has (a Sim Audio Titan), Dolby ProLogic II and component video switching.

I use an EAD DVDMaster 8000Pro with the analog pass-thru connection, and have found this input to be SURPRISINGLY transparent if the source can give you all the setup flexibility that you need. The DVDMaster has all the processing that I want, and have found it to 'fit' my needs really well. The REL sub fits into this mix synergistically, too.

I hope that helps, but remember that YMMV....
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Hello Rangers-

Well, let me complicate your last statement about running the DVDMaster direct into an amp. I can't, because my Sim Titan amp doesn't like having BOTH the RCA and balanced inputs occupied for a given input at the same time (preamp and the DVD player). Some amps have this limitation, some do not.

My DVDMaster analog outputs feed the TheaterMaster center, sub & surround signals (via the pass-thru input) and a 2-channel tube preamp for the L/R mains directly.

This allows the TheaterMaster to be completely out of the circuit when I play 2-channel CD's. The tube pre also has a HomeTheater Bypass circuit that I use with the TM for my digital sources (DSS & DVD Video), so I get the benefits of the tube preamp all the time.

The TheaterMaster and tube preamp then feed the inputs of my Sim Titan amp and REL sub. This works with 2 preamps (the TM and tube) simultaneously for multi-channel use because the player's internal Bass Mgt and variable analog vol control coordinate the output of all channels once a measured common volume level is fixed on both pre's.

Finally, the TheaterMaster has much more flexible sub crossover, bass rolloff & redirect settings then the DVDMaster (100Hz fixed), so pass-thru may not be best for everyone's situation.