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How to have great HT and 2-CH Stereo

I have a home theater system using a Rotel A/V RSX-972 receiver. The system works great in home theater but lacking in 2 channel audio CD quality. I'm thinking of introducing a pre/power amps (Plinius CD-LAD and SA-250) for my front L/R speakers. However, I don't know what is the best way to connect this together without having to plug and unplug cable everytime I switch from Home Theatre to audio CD listening. This is because there will be two pre amps (Rotel and plinius) in the system and plinius CD-LAD does not offer by-pass mode.

An alternative will be to upgrade to a high end A/V processor (thinking of proceed) but was told that even the most top-of-the-line 5 channel A/V precessor/preamp cannot match the sonic quality of a good 2 channel stereo preamp in 2 channel CD mode. Do you agree? Is anyone facing the same problem as I am? Please help comment.
patrick123

Showing 2 responses by khokugo

khokugo
122 posts
 
Patrcck, I was struggling with the same thought, too. I have Marantz SR18EX, and Sonus Faber Musica integrated. The easiest solution is;
1. Connect Receiver's "Pre-Out" to your pre amp's available input (Aux or anything)
2. Turn on and set you pre's volume where you can easily remember (i.e. 12 o'clock).
3. Turn on your Receiver and recalibrate the volume balance.
4. Whenever you want to enjoy movies, turn on receiver and pre/power amp, set your pre's input selector to that particular one at 1. above, turn the volume to the designated level (12 o'clock for example), and you can enjoy and control the volume just like you are/were using receiver only.
I hope this helps... BTW, you have a mighty great 2ch system comingle with home theater system!
Ken
khokugo
122 posts
 
Oh, needless to say, you can connect the front speakers to your power amp all the time, and you don't have to unplug/plug.
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