How do I easily add surround to my 2 channel setup

DAC > PRE
> RCA Switcher > AMP > Speakers
Surround

means

DAC > PRE
                      > RCA Switcher > AMP > Speakers
Surround Rec

Shawn,

You will get a lot of different answers here and you will have to decide which is most appropriate for you. I can give you a suggestion based on my experience. I've owned lots of dedicate 2-channel music systems priced $500-$5000+. I'm nearing a move to a new home, so I currently have a combined 2-channel music and 5.1 Channel HT system and I'm very happy with the performance. Here is what I'm using:

Sony STR-DA5000ES HT Receiver

The Sony uses the newer digital switching amp technology and it is very good. It is so good that you would likely not need an external power amp to drive your totems, however it has pre-outs for all 7.1 channels, so you could use an external amp if you wanted. Also its internal DAC is so good that you would likely not need or want the X.Dac. I've heard that the digital design for this amp was done by a very well known designer of $10,000 DACs and I can believe it.

I use the A/B speaker switch on the Sony to connect the A pair to my Reference 3A MM DeCapo monitors. I use the B connection for my L&R front on-wall speakers and have an on-wall center and surrounds connected too. A sub adds the rest of the 5.1 channels for HT duty. There is also a configuble zone-2 that you could use the remaining 2 channels of the 7.1 channel amp to drive the speakers in your bedroom. It also comes with two remotes, one main and one for the second zone.

Don't just take my word for it. Check out the post on www.Audiocircle.com and www.oade.com (tapers forum section). This receiver is very, very good and it can do everything you want, very well. It will also allow you to use all of your speakers and get rid of some unnecessary components (external amp and DAC).

If you choose to buy a Sony STR-DA5000ES, try to get one with the "A" designation (a big "A" on the box). The A version has some firmware fixes included that make it work and sound better.

Lastly, if you have $1100-$1200 to spend, the new Sony STR-DA7100ES is even better still! I've read a review that compared it favorably to the $4000+ Sony STR-DA9000ES from last year. Check out the review at AVGuide:http://www.avguide.com/receivers,_tuners,_and_integrated_amps/audio_video_receivers/sony/str-da7100es/3291.jsp . You will have to download the full review (its free!), but it's worth a read.

Check it out. I think it would meet your needs very well.

Enjoy,

TIC

The method I propose assume you have a quality stereo preamp you wish to have remain in service for stereo listening. If a receiver with a high quality preamp section, in analogue mode (NO digital conversion for analogue sources!), is available than that is a simpler solution.

I had good luck with an Arcam AVR200. It has a pretty good preamp analogue stereo section. Now, this preamp is not as good as a quality tubed stereo preamp and I have yet to hear a solid state receiver that does. Some come close and the convenience may be an acceptable trade off for many.

The other method to eliminate the RCA switchbox is to acquire a high quality preamp that has a home theatre pass through. Or, if you are only interested in two channel performance (even with Dolby Digital sources) then you can simply run the stereo preamp outs from the TAPE OUT to an Auxiliary line level input of your preamp and simply treat the receiver/dolby digital sources as another component.

I have the extra speakers for multi channel reproduction but prefer to simply use the Lowthers (so far).

Sounds like my plan to skimp on the surround receiver (pre) and just add and Amp for the front speakers is not going to be a great idea then ...I am getting the feeling that doing so is is not going to help my stereo setup.

Perhaps an All-In-One receiver is the best choice or just go back to my plan to get the Jolida and maybe a cheaper Denon for surround. I have a hard time parting with the x-dac and moving to a Sony ES or something similar ...I feel like I will be sacraficing my Stereo system.

Perhaps I can keep my XDac and get the Jolida 302b I wanted to, and then i can connect the xdac into one input on the jolida and then connect the L/R pre-outs on a surround unit to another channel on the Jolida.

I was also looking at other units but I have been hoping to audition them in Chicago next time I am there. I heard the x-150 and liked it with the totems so that is another option. Does it make sense to keep going with my stereo rig and then just throw a surround receiver behind it like i say above ...this would seem to keep the cheaper surround component I plan on out of my music chain.

Also .........

I guess that is my ? for those of you who have all-in-one (receiver/surround/dac) suggestions. Am i going to get an all-in-one surround that will get a sound close to the X-Dac/X-150 integrated combo that I have heard.

If so, then that is the way I want to go (not sure if the Sony ES or NAD are at this level).

If not then I want to know if I can just complete my 2-channel rig and throw a surorund receiver with pre-out behind what will be my decent 2-channel interated.