Might want to integrate 2-channel and 5.1

[portisphish]

My system will be an Integrated Amp with a CD, Tuner, and Turntable, powering two front speakers and possibly a sub.

I also have a 5.1 receiver and enjoy watching movies.

How can I integrate the two into one space?

My brother told me I should just run the 5.1 receiver as a preamp and get a 2 channel power amp instead of the integrated, but my heart is kind of set on the integrated for the 2-channel system.

Can I hook the front speakers up to both the integrated and the reciever with perhaps a speaker switch?

Can I choose a sub with two different connections to easily swap between the two systems?

Can I integrate something like the OPPO to do double duty as a DVD player in the 5.1 and a CD player in the 2-channel?


I'm just building the system now, so I want to plan ahead and not make any bad purchases. I have right now the 5.1 receiver, the turntable, the tuner, and the front and rear channels.

I am planning on purchasing the integrated from a forum member in the next couple of weeks.

Still need to purchase the sub. Still deciding if I will need a center channel or run phantom mode. Still need to purchase the digital front end(s).

Thanks for any insights.

[DaveN]

I have just such a system in place. For movies, I have a full 7.1 system with huge solid-state amplifiers. But for music, I have a tubed integrated amp connected to my turntable.

To answer your first question: NO. You cannot hook up both amps to a single set of speakers at the same time. In my setup, I have two sets of R/L speaker cables. I just switch them at the speakers when I want to change systems. (One note of caution: Be sure the amps are off when you do this. I failed to do this and the two speaker leads from the amp touched. Impedance goes to zero when this happens - and no amp can drive a zero ohm load!)

Speaker switches are an ok idea but you have to get a high-quality one. Some cheap switches inflict their own impedance on the amp in an unhealthy way.

As for the sub, I can't answer your question. My R/L speakers are full range and I strongly prefer not using the sub for music. Therefore, I have no need to have two different configurations. If I were, I might consider two different subs.

Your dvd player can be configured to do double duty. Use the digital output to drive the 5.1 amp and then take the R/L analog outputs to your integrated amp. If the oppo only has the 6 analog outputs, then be sure to set the player to use only two full-range speakers. This will not affect the digital output going to the 5.1 unit but will ensure that the analog signal is full-range into just the R/L channels.

You might also consider the Sqeezebox as a digital source.

[ATR]

Check my profile.
Although I don't have a true audiophile system, I'm combining audio and video using a McIntosh processor as a preamp that has a built in phono preamp and tuner.
The processor is connected to all of my other sources, including a universal disc player for high rez audio and dvd-video, as well as my cable box.
The processor also has a Zone B output that feeds a two channel Nakamichi receiver for two other rooms in my home. I have a universal remote that works from anywhere in the house.
It's not as seamless and high tech as you can be, but it works for me.

[jstraw]

I'm about to implement my second such system and I use switching to control which amp feeds the front speakers. On the existing system, I made the switch box. For the next one, I bought one of these:

http://www.security-alarm-systems.us/russound_ab22_speaker_selector_switch-75965-prd1.htm

On the existing system, since I have the pre-outs on the 2 channel amp going to an input on the 5.1, I can in theory, select the 2 channel amp to power the fronts and have the 5.1 powering the center and surrounds only.

[Steve G]

I get a lot more enjoyment keeping the two systems separate.

You can put them near each other, for convenience, but you really want to tune everything just so for each configuration.

p.s. - you really don't need the sub for the stereo

[portisphish]

Thanks for the replies so far!

The squeezebox is really tempting as I have a ton of live music in FLAC format. I also have even more in SHN. (You guys remember SHN?) I guess those will all need to be converted to FLAC's.

I guess the easiest way is to run two sets of LR speaker wire, and just plug them into the LR speakers as I need. That's not too big of a deal.

My speakers start to roll off at ~50Hz. I don't NEED the lowest bass, but I would like to eventually experiment with a sub for 2-channel, and was just curious if I should be looking for a particular type of sub (connection wise). I think for now I'll just be using the sub for home theater.

[DPM]

I have my home theater and stereo systems combined, but I'm doing it a bit different then everyone else. The trick is to find out the "unity gain" volume setting of your integrated amp.

With my set up, all stereo recordings are played through my Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista integrated which is hooked up to my towers. For surround, I use my Bryston prepro with it's left and right outputs fed into the auxiliary input of my integrated amp. I set the integrated's volume control at unity gain level and use the Bryston to set volume for all five speakers.

The drawback to this setup is that--in surround mode--the left/right signal goes through two volume controls. Having the integrated amp set at unity gain does lessen the damage, and I haven't noticed anything untoward in the resulting sound. Still, the potential for a minor problem is there to consider.

Of course, the plus side of this is it's more convenient/safe not having to switch cables around, and the stereo side is kept pure with no home theater gadgetry getting in the way. There is a compromise, yes. But considering the small number of surround recordings in my collection, I have to say it's a compromise with which I can live. Your mileage may vary.

[ATR]

Of course, the plus side of this is it's more convenient/safe not having to switch cables around, and the stereo side is kept pure with no home theater gadgetry getting in the way. There is a compromise, yes. But considering the small number of surround recordings in my collection, I have to say it's a compromise with which I can live. Your mileage may vary.

My belief is that both my McIntosh processor and its Lexicon predecessor's stereo modes do a good job of separating themselves from any type of surround/home theatre processing. Of course, there are compromises whenever you want to buy one piece that does everything.