ARC LS 25 Mk 11 Bypass

Oneobgyn, I wasn't complete in my post above in regards to cables and it was easily taken out of context(which you successfully accomplished by the way).
I meant that HT pre/pro into the amp directly with a given pair of ICs should sound as good through LS-25 processor loop should the same ICs be used in and out of the LS-25. That is what I meant to say and is why I mentioned good cables. Not because I belevie good cables will fix a bad component. If it's nonsense to you, it's your right to take it for what it is.
Happy New Year!

Sorry to have been so judgemental but I understand your point once expounded upon.

Likewise to you...Happy New year

Hello
I do this same thing with my sound room. I take the output from my Meridian HT system, front left & right to the proc input on the Ref3 then from the Ref3 output to the amps, This lets me be very flexable. This allows the Ht or Stereo to control it's own volume. With it this way you can also send the digital output from your equipment to the HT system & all the analog outputs to your stereo preamp. Then you see which sounds best to you and use the system that way. When you have people over you can use the HT and send sound to all speakers also.
The only thing you should do then in my opinion is optimize the room for 2 channel and use the digital abilities of the HT processor to adjust the HT part of the system. You also might want to cover your screen even one that is flat, with something when listening to 2 channel cause that way you will get a better imaging & a better sound stage between the speakers.

I have always wondered how this process works too. Does this mean that when your listening to HT through the 2 channel preamp the sound level on the 2 channel preamp can be set at zero or 100 and it doesn't matter because the HT is controlling the volume as long as the switch is flipped? Is their any sonic improvement from using a superior preamp and running the front left and right channels of the HT processor throught the 2 channel preamp or is this a mood point.

Simply put, it is a theater throughpass and the volume is controlled by your pre-pro. There is no sonic improvement. What you are doing is using your processor's left and right front channel outs into the processor (bypass) left and right inputs on your stereo preamp. From there you are running your left and right main outs into your amp. I just don't get why all you guys are so confused