2. home-theater
  3. 1095901843

How to add to my 2-chanl int. amp for home theater

I have a good two-channel integrated amp I use for music. I'd like to move to home theater inexpensively, that is without replacing my entire system. How can I add to what I have to get surround sound processing and amplification for the other channels? Ideally, I'd like a surround sound receiver that has line-level outs for the front right and left channels, so I can use my integrated amp. for those, and use the receiver for the other channels. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find one that has them. The closest is receivers that have pre-amp outs. But that would bypass the preamp stage of my integrated amp. even for music, and an inexpensive surround receiver won't have as good a preamp as my integrated amp. I'd like to spend $500 or less but will consider more expensive solutions.
ddoneff

Showing 1 response by elevick

elevick
2,636 posts
 
I just did this for my brother's proceed/logan system. Get a decent receiver like a denon 2804 and use the center & rear amps as normal. For R&L, use the pre-amp outs from the receiver to any inputs in the integrated. Hook up the dvd to the receiver only for 5.1. If you use the dvd for stereo also, use it's rca outs to the integrated as a cd.

When watching movies, find a place to pre-set the volume on the integrated (75%?) and never move it. You will use the level adjustments on the receiver to match the center and rears to the front level of the integrated. After this, the volume on the receiver will control all 5 channels the same. Keep in mind that due to different amps, the volume may increase slightly differently but still can be adjusted by the level controls on the receiver.
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