Bi-amping for HT

Thanks for the responses and yes I realize this is not bi-amping, my mistake. I'm just trying to incorporate the ARC 2 channel gear into a HT set-up.

I understand Bdgregory's set-up recommendation but not sure that's a reasonable method given the manuel nature of the SP12, warm-up time, etc. Was really trying to get everything to work off remotes and eliminate the SP12 Pre but it appears that the sound quality will not be so great if the SP12 is replaced by a 'standard' HT receiver Pre.

well, in HT Mode, it will indeed be fully remote controllable. But when in 2 channel music mode, it's the same as you have today.

as Meiwan and I indicated, using the HT Pre for 2 channel music will be a bad idea. I've tried multiple high end HT Pre-Pros and even they don't compare to a good 2 channel preamp when listening to music. An option is to sell your SP12 and by a good remote controllable 2 channel preamp. That's what I did.

Yes, I have considered that but would still like to have the rear speakers for movies and sports. They do fill in nicely but just can't figure out how to keep the rears with the ARC 2 channel gear.

I could go with a nice Marantz or other HT receiver but pretty sure I still won't get that ARC tube sound. If I get a new Pre w/remote that still won't allow for 4 channels, correct?

If I get a new Pre w/remote that still won't allow for 4 channels, correct?

Wrong - you need to focus on what's going on in the scheme I described. for music - it's 2 channel, for HT it's 5.1, or 7.1, or whatever you configure. Furthermore, in HT Mode - all channels are controlled by the Receiver remote. It's only in 2 channel music mode that you don't have remote control. You can remedy this by getting a new preamp that has remote.

OK, so I would need a new pre w/remote AND a new HT receiver w/pre-outs (my current Pioneer does not have speaker pre-outs). Hook-up the front speaker pre-outs from the new HT to the new pre-amp In's? That would give me complete remote for TV and music.

Or, just get a new HT receiver, keep the SP12, hook it up similar, and use the preamp manually for music but it will work remotely under the HT receiver if I keep the volume set at a predetermined level?