How to get 2 Channel and Home theater in one packa

I think a Linar model 10 multi-channel integrated amp and a quality universal player would be a cool setup.

Enjoy,

TIC

Elevick,

You totally missed the point of a combo system when you said "They end up processing music through a mediocre receiver and then run it on a really nice 2 channel rig-it degrades the sound.".

In the system I described there is ZERO possibility of the music getting processed as the receiver (processor) doesn't even need to be turned on in order to listen to music. You simply listen to the 2-channel rig, independant of any of the components involved in the HT/multi-channel portion of the system.

I'm not saying a combo system is the way to go for everyone. It's not. If you have a goal to also have excellent multi-channel music, a quality multi-channel pre/pro and multi-channel amp is possibly the better bet. However, if the goal is excellent 2-channel music reproduction and a system that will also do a decent job with HT, then a combo system could be the best bet.

Ultimately, a combo system likely cost less, does a better job of 2-channel music reproduction and does an adequate job with HT. It is also extremely flexible as you can upgrade the 2-channel portion of the system without incurring the huge depreciation associated with high-end HT equipement.

But ultimately, I get back to the point of checking out the Linar model 10. Here you get a quality 2-channel and multi-channel analog integrated amp. You don't pay for useless surround modes and processors, just a quality 5.1 channel analog pre-amp and 5 channels of amplification, in one box. Let your relatively inexpensive Universal player do any required processing (heck, you already paid for the processor in the player, you might as well use it). Check out the couple of reviews available. In one, the Linar was comapred to a $14,500 ARC multi-channel combo and it was superior in some respects. BTW, Linar is owned by the founder/ex-owner of SimAudio. He knows his stuff.

Enjoy,

TIC

The setup Bdgregory describes is a good option. I participated in the thread that he referenced and agree that it is a good way of doing things, especially if your priority is a "no compromise" 2-channel system, but one that will also do HT.

I call one of these systems a "combo system". First, you build a quality 2-channel music system, then you add HT functionality to it. The added HT equipment does not have any affect on the 2-channel primary system.

So, in a combo system, you build the 2-channel rig by using a quality pre-amp and power amp, or a quality integrated amp. You connect 2 speakers and add a source and you are done with the 2-channel portion. For HT duties, you buy a decent HT receiver with pre-outs (for at least the front L&R channels) and connect it to your pre-amp/integrated amp using either any open input jacks or a dedicated HTbypass/processor loop (if your pre-amp has this feature). You connect the center speaker, surrounds and sub to the HT receiver and connect your HT source (DVD player, cable box, TV, etc.) to the receiver for processing.

To play music, just use the 2-channel rig. No need to even turn on the HT receiver as it is not part of the system. For HT, also turn on the HT receiver and select the appropriate input on your pre-amp. Now the 2-channel rig is part of the HT system, acting as the amplification and front L&R speakers for the HT setup.

It sounds more complicated than it really is. I think it is a good choice for many people with a 2-channel music priority. It doesn't compromise 2-channel at all, and adds good HT to the mix.

I've had a combo setup on numerous occassions and it worked well.

I also like my previous idea of the Linar model 10 driving a 5.1 speaker setup!

Enjoy,
TIC

The systems recommended by Jamesw20 and Fplanner2000 are variations on the "combo system" that I recommended. My recommendation uses a receiver for HT processing and powering the center and surrounds. James recommendation uses a quality processor and 3 channel of a 5 channel amp for those duties. Fplanner2000 uses a dedicated processor and a seperate 3 channel amp for those duties.

The commonality here is that these systems do not use any compromised HT processor for 2-channel music. They simply built a quality 2-channel rig and added HT functionality that would not compromise the 2-channel music reproduction.

These three methods will all work well. It's simply a matter of choosing how much importance (and money) you put into the HT/multi-channel portion of your rig.

Enjoy,

TIC