When engaged, the HT bypass simply "passes-through" exactly what is received at the input. When HT bypass is engaged, the pre-amps volume control has no effect on the signal that is being passed-through.
A passive output is basically a volume attenuator. At full volume, it will pass-through exactly what is received at the input. However, the volume control will affect the signal, so anything less than full volume, the output will be attenuated (less than the input).
A passive output is not unity gain, except at full volume. At anything other than full volume it has negative gain (volume attenuation).
Convenience. The idea is that with an HT bypass you never have to re-set the preamp volume to unity.
No matter how you were listening to music, once you switch to HT bypass the gain through the preamp is always the same.
Could you mark a spot on a conventional preamp, and use it all the time for L/R outputs of a 5.1 processor? Sure, but it's inconvenient. :)
Technically HT bypass does not have to be unity gain, it just has to be exactly the same gain every time it is switched to. The HT processor will handle any differences in the speaker configuration settings.
In order to get any sound from my avr, i have to set the volume control on preamp all the way up.
and then remember to set it way back when switching inputs or else i lose my hearing.
does this make sense? Unity gain (volume control up all the way) to allow a hearable signal to pass thru preamp seems awfully low, and then the avr volume control is then used.
Maxwave, so if you change outputs that depend on preamp volume controls it could be very loud if u dont set back preamp volume control? Ie. Since preamp set to 80.
Unity gain is a state of 0 amplification/attenuation.
I cannot speak to wiring/specifics but I believe this:
A HT pass through will remove/bypass any amplification/attenuation from the signal path. Think of it this way: When you engage HT bypass, it is as if the preamplifier is completely removed from the signal path. You are sending the signal directly from your A/V processor/receiver to your two-channel amplifier.
When you disengage the HT option, you will revert to the last volume setting. Presumably, this will not be a setting that can cause damage to equipment or hearing.
If your preamplifier does not have a dedicated HT pass through function, it will depend on your preamplifier what happens next.
As far as I know, most preamplifiers are attenuators. Therefore, to achieve Unity Gain (a state of 0 amplification/attenuation), the "volume" must be turned all the way up.
Of course, this leaves open the potential for a situation where, when switching back to a different source, the volume will be at a very high level.
integrating a highend tube preamp into ht is a nightmare!
That depends on the preamp. You have to understand that the preamp is not designed to be part of the signal path.
Either the preamp has a HT feature, or it doesn't. If it doesn't, than your HT signal is just another input. Your only option is, when you choose that input and assuming your preamp has 0 amplification, to turn the preamp all the way up and forget about it. All control is done from your HT device.
It is the schiit freya preamp which has passive output and a buffer output for tubes.
so that mixture of outputs can be risky. Not sure what else passive would be used other than with ht avr, albeit not ideal Not sure why schiit cant simply allow signal pass thru with out involving a passive output.
@jumia - Are you also @emergingsoul ? Same issue, some pre-amp. Same time.
Just want to insure I'm not duplicating my replies to the same person. I've already replied on the subject, at great length and significant personal time, to the other thread started by @emergingsoul.
Advice to buy freya came from this site. Good answers. Simply stated freya mis represents itself as a preamp for ht. I made a mistake and seems some understand and some dont.
Hey drussell, i said i made a mistake. Did u not read what i wrote. Facts about freya remain the same. It is not a great preamp for ht use, despite ht references it made in their manual.
I agree that the statement below from Schiit is not what I would think of as HT bypass. It does say the volume has to be all the way up, which would mean the volume is all the way up for all inputs. I think of HT bypass as an input that is not affected by the volume control. That is why reading and understanding instructions is important.
"Home Theater Integration, $0. Okay, all you "home theater bypass" guys. All of our preamps offer true home theater bypass. Just plug in your processor's front channels to any input, select Passive mode, and turn the volume all the way up. Presto! 1:1 home theater bypass, with only a relay in the signal path."
The Musical Fidelity A5 int amp I used to own had HT Bypass and it completely bypasses the preamp section so that not even preouts have any signal on them.
This was useful in my set up to integrate a single sub for both HT and Music
Drussell, whats your point? schiit markets device as a home theatre bypass solution per specific wording to this effect on their website. The manual is not the whole story. They have a problem in my view. I will be scrapping my freya soon.
Free trial expired by now and a hassle. I will pack it away and let my heirs discover it someday or will leave it to an out of favor family member. I will mark it with a huge warning label. Just sad that schiit can not resolve this serious issue.
1. Schiit does NOT market this as a "home theatre bypass solution". Two lines speaking in general terms about a product class at the bottom of one page on their site does not constitute marketing. Find me one print/online advertisement where Schiit specifically recommends their preamps as a home theatre product. I'll wait.
(I suspect you only found this verbiage AFTER you decided to start this thread, when you realized that most people saw through your story).
2. The manual is most of the story. Especially when one considers your false "marketing" argument. There is no mention of home theatre in the manual. This is not designed as a home theatre device.
There is no "serious issue" for Schiit to "resolve".
3. But, since you want to hang your hat on this feeble argument, let's take a look at it.
The verbiage in question is as follows: "Home Theater Integration, $0. Okay, all you "home theater bypass" guys. All of our preamps offer true home theater bypass. Just plug in your processor's front channels to any input, select Passive mode, and turn the volume all the way up. Presto! 1:1 home theater bypass, with only a relay in the signal path."
Read that carefully. Or for the first time, I suspect.
"...
and turn the volume all the way up."
What did you think was going to happen when you switched to a different input, other than the one being used for home theatre?
Are you really going to try and make up an excuse? You keep saying this is Schiit's fault because of these instructions. You chose to go here.
Are you going to say that because the words told you to turn it all the way up that you couldn't logically conclude that maybe you ought to turn it back down before switching inputs?
Are you going to argue that Schiit should put in a warning about high volume levels being dangerous?
Maybe the wording should include a reminder to turn the volume back down.
If that's the case, I don't see much hope for humankind.
Have we gotten to the point where we are totally incapable of thinking for ourselves? We can't take responsibility for anything?
The free trial period is 15 days. Please let your friend, emergingsoul, who had an identical problem know that there is plenty of time to return his Schiit.
Emails i have received reflect same comments as on their website.
why drussell are you so protective of this co? Why is it so scary for them to state ht language in manual, if they did would it be so bad? Its already clear they support ht use. Warnings of a products dangers serve to clarify finctionality. Why is this a bad thing to do???
Show us the e-mails. Otherwise, you're just making it up. Because they have done nothing wrong. Why are you so against this company? It's not a HT product. It can be if the user knows what they are doing. There is a difference. Warnings are on page 2 of the owner's manual. If you don't know the dangers of maximum volume, you should not be using this product.
How do i share emails. Email states what website says. Device is marketed as a ht bypass capable solution. Is this wrong?
We all agree it can be dangerous to hearing. Its easy to make a mistake, and u risk serious harm to hearing.. not good for family to use with ht system. Schiit should emphasize risk, they dont do a good job.
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