Integrating Two-Channel Set Up Into a Home Theater

Hi,

I have a CJ ET3SE. I want to integrate my two-channel set up into a home theater 5.1 setup. My fronts are the Pioneer S-1EX's and I will likely use Quicksilver mono blocks with KT150's that put out around 90 watts each. Can someone explain how the home theater bypass control on the preamp works and how I go about making all the connections? I have a Denon 4311 AVR which, I believe, has all of the necessary inputs and outputs I need. Just not sure how to do it. It would be nice to have the option of using the sub in the two-channel playback on occasion. Thanks!

I own the same Denon as you but never though about adding an external pre-amp and a external amp to the Denon at the same time. I say to save you some time, just contact Denon tech Support and ask them http://denon.custhelp.com/app/answer...hnical-support

I run my system like that. I use the Front R/L pre outs from Integra 30.3 into my VAC pre of main 2ch setup. For volume matching, I need to put the volume at about 1 o'clock and then use HT volume from there. I do the pre-set of volume before running the auto calibration from the HT.

I am in a similar situation. My preamp does not have HT bypass. I need to run something from my Marantz 8801 SSP to my preamp. I'm wondering if I just have to volume match every time (and mark the spot for future reference) or whether there is a passive preamp with HT bypass....or some other way.

Thank you for the replies. So I guess the advantage of the home theater bypass is that volume matching is unnecessary? Can somebody please tell me how this works? Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Mike

I am in a similar situation. My preamp does not have HT bypass. I need to run something from my Marantz 8801 SSP to my preamp. I'm wondering if I just have to volume match every time (and mark the spot for future reference) or whether there is a passive preamp with HT bypass....or some other way.

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Somewhat luckily, my VAC has click stops for volume adjustment so I can hit the same exact spot every time and only run the Audyssey 1 time.

Other than that, I hate the click stops because sometimes 1 stop is not enough ot too much.

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Originally Posted by RDSChicago

Hi,

I have a CJ ET3SE. I want to integrate my two-channel set up into a home theater 5.1 setup. My fronts are the Pioneer S-1EX's and I will likely use Quicksilver mono blocks with KT150's that put out around 90 watts each. Can someone explain how the home theater bypass control on the preamp works and how I go about making all the connections? I have a Denon 4311 AVR which, I believe, has all of the necessary inputs and outputs I need. Just not sure how to do it. It would be nice to have the option of using the sub in the two-channel playback on occasion. Thanks!

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Home theater bypass mode is also called unity gain. When a signal passes through a system or a device without changing level, it is said to be at unity gain. To make your connections, take the left and right outputs of your Denon and connect them to the left and right home theater bypass inputs on your CJ preamp. Simply engage the HT bypass input on the CJ when you want to listen and the signal will go though without changing the level of your Denon. The sub, unfortunately, is a different matter unless you have an outboard crossover such as the JL CR-1 which has an HT mode.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Big

The sub, unfortunately, is a different matter unless you have an outboard crossover such as the JL CR1 which has an HT mode.

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Crazy, but I use a really old Realistic Audio/Video switchbox and run the Sub Out from HT into one section and Sub out of my VAC to the other. If I want to use the sub with my 2ch setup, I flip the switch. Otherwise it is usually in the default position so it's only on if I am using the HT.

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Originally Posted by Shadowfax

Crazy, but I use a really old Realistic Audio/Video switchbox and run the Sub Out from HT into one section and Sub out of my VAC to the other. If I want to use the sub with my 2ch setup, I flip the switch. Otherwise it is usually in the default position so it's only on if I am using the HT.

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Brian, Goldpoint has some interesting devices. http://www.goldpt.com/

Thanks Chris, I have looked at those passives.

I am not in the market for anything new right now. I am slowly selling off much of my extra gear and will be pairing down the rest soon so I can get something really nice. Nothing really wrong with the VAC, I just don't like stepped volume, or two knobs and no remote :)

My old Sound Valves 101i had a stepped volume pot but it used a little spring in detents and it was real easy to remove. The VAC knobs are just hard click positions.

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Originally Posted by RDSChicago

Hi,

I have a CJ ET3SE. I want to integrate my two-channel set up into a home theater 5.1 setup. My fronts are the Pioneer S-1EX's and I will likely use Quicksilver mono blocks with KT150's that put out around 90 watts each. Can someone explain how the home theater bypass control on the preamp works and how I go about making all the connections? I have a Denon 4311 AVR which, I believe, has all of the necessary inputs and outputs I need. Just not sure how to do it. It would be nice to have the option of using the sub in the two-channel playback on occasion. Thanks!

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Hi,

Sorry for the delay. If you have an entrie like bypasse on your CJ ET3SE, you connect the Denon 4311 AVR with PRE OUT L and PRE OUT R to the BYPASS Entrie of your CJ ET3SE.

Hope that's help you.

Best regards

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Originally Posted by Shadowfax

I run my system like that. I use the Front R/L pre outs from Integra 30.3 into my VAC pre of main 2ch setup. For volume matching, I need to put the volume at about 1 o'clock and then use HT volume from there. I do the pre-set of volume before running the auto calibration from the HT.

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You have to do the auto calibration everytime before you watch a movie?

May I suggest you refer to the owners manual that came with your Denon to accomplish a proper connection to your left front, center, right front, left rear and right rear surround sound speakers. Finally, how and where to plug in your speaker calbes and how to pre-set your Dennons is illustrated in its owners manual. Further, visit with a Denon dealer. The salesman or technician in that store or department can discuss this with you, point out things and actually show you how connections are applied (plugged in) and where they are plugged in and why. In my opinion, space does not permit most anyone to completely explain this to you in a reply on this forum

I'm agree with DOC.

As I told, you connect your PRE OUT to your CJ with entries BYPASS. This is the best connection to use only one time and only one time the auto-calibration.
That's what I do with my system. I have a Pioneer SC-LX85 for Home Theater. I connect PRE OUT to BYPASS input of my JR CORUS.

Best regards

RDS, I was wondering if you've done this and how you liked it?

I wouldn't want to burn tube life watching movies and years back I had a CJ 2-channel system, the sound of the CJ monoblocks didn't even come close to timbre matching with the solids state amp being used for HT, I had Arcam, I'd imagine the Denon receiver would even sound further apart. The mismatch sound drove me crazy. I immediately, bought a 5-channel amp for the HT and kept the two systems separate. I physically switched speaker cables at the back of the speaker to which system I wanted to use. Not so difficult using bananas and easy to reach binding posts.

Hello Mr. Peabody,

I got everything working with the CJ home theater bypass but then decided to keep the two channel and home theater dichotomy separate. I purchased a 200wpc 7-channel power amp and am using the Denon receiver as my pre-processor. The sound dramatically improved.

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Originally Posted by Audioseduction

You have to do the auto calibration everytime before you watch a movie?

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No, I remember where I set the volume on my VAC Pre after running the calibration. My volume is in notches so it is easy to set to same exact notch each time.