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Home theater pass-through unnecessary?

I have a home theater room which was set up for optimal two channel listening as well. I have gotten so into two channel listening(98% vinyl)that this is the main use of the room currently. I'm wanting to upgrade my preamp and phono section from the current BAT VK 51se and PS Audio GCPH. Many of the top contenders for preamps don't have a pass through(or even a remote). (Doshi, Messenger, Tron Syren). I would think that just using one of the inputs set to a specific level and calibrating volume with the home theater processor would work just as well as a pass through. I can also live without a remote if it means less detriment to the audio signal. Has anyone had experience with abandoning the pass through feature? Did you really miss it?
sonofjim
9 responses Add your response
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I did that for a while...worked fine for me.

Dave
reubent
7,005 posts
 
You are correct. You do not need HT pass-through. You can use any unused input and simply calibrate the HT setup using a pre-defined position of the volume control on your pre-amp. When I've done this in the past, I used Top-dead center of the volumen control as the point where I calibrated the HT setup and sat the volume dial each time I played HT though the system.

Admittedly, HT pass-through, especially if controlled via the remote, is a nice feature. But it it completey unnecessary. It's just a nice convenience.

Enjoy,

TIC
bdgregory
1,714 posts
 
I've done it that way and it worked as well (to my ears) as it does with passthru (I have 2 preamps - 1 with, 1 without).

As for remote control, I couldn't live without one of those.
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,611 posts
 
.
Yeah, but what if you mistakenly switch inputs before lowering the volume on the pramp?
.
reubent
7,005 posts
 
Mitch,

That's why you don't use MAX volume as your reference point. I've thought about that issue and the answer might be to use "loud" on the volume dial as the reference point instead of something like top-deal-center. You might want to choose one of the other sources, determine what volume level is "loud" and use that level as the reference point.

TIC
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
If you make that mistake you will learn from it and not do it again and hopefully not have any expense from it. If your smart it wont be an issue, mute your stuff whenever you are useing other gear and use common sense, it wil be just fine!
bdgregory
1,714 posts
 
Yeah, but what if you mistakenly switch inputs before lowering the volume on the pramp?
Not an issue. As Reubent says, you simply pick a ref point on your preamp that won't blow the doors off if another source is used.
goatwuss
877 posts
 
I've done this as well. You've just gotta set the volume on your preamp to a calibrated level every time. Works OK.

Then I got an HT passthrough added to my preamp. It's pretty nice to not have to worry about the volume on the 2ch pre if you have the passthru!
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,611 posts
 
.
I'm old and forgetful. The passthrough is the only option for me. I did it the other input way and forgot a few times with disatrous results. I knew I had to get a pre with a passthrough. For me, it was worth the extra dough.
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