two channel to multi channel

[steve64]

I have a very good two channel system that I am completely happy with. However, my 65 inch LG tv does UHD and 4K, and so does my LG
blu-ray player. The blu-ray player is connected to the television via HDMI, and the sound is routed to the preamp via optical.
I do NOT want to disturb the two channel system.
Now, the question I have is, I hope, simple.
Can I install a multi channel processor, using RCA's, to my existing amps, to drive my existing speakers?
Also, I will be leaving off my existing preamp.
This will be ONLY for watching movies.
Thank you!

 

[TLS Guy]

I have a very good two channel system that I am completely happy with. However, my 65 inch LG tv does UHD and 4K, and so does my LG
blu-ray player. The blu-ray player is connected to the television via HDMI, and the sound is routed to the preamp via optical.
I do NOT want to disturb the two channel system.
Now, the question I have is, I hope, simple.
Can I install a multi channel processor, using RCA's, to my existing amps, to drive my existing speakers?
Also, I will be leaving off my existing preamp.
This will be ONLY for watching movies.
Thank you!

Your question is not clear. Are you talking about adding a multichannel preamp or a receiver? It is not clear to me. I think also you have fallen for this myth that you need separate systems for music and movies. That is simply not true.

Also we have no idea of the quality and nature of your speakers. This is crucial. Next what do you mean by multichannel? Is it 3, 5, 7, 11 or 13 channels and how many subs?

I can tell you that keeping two channel preamps in a multichannel set up IS the WRONG way to go. It produces bad results and is a good way to blow up equipment.

So there is no advice until you can tell us exactly what you want to do. However, I have a strong sense you are starting off on the wrong foot. Your last comment is worrisome and you need to get rid of that notion. There should be no difference in the quality of engineering for movies from ANY OTHER source. The sooner you understand this the better.

I have three system in three different rooms. A 2.2, a 3.1 and a 7.2.4 system and it is the flagship theater 7.2.4 system that is also the best for music. All systems are built from top end components.

 

[Leemix]

If your pre amp has home theater bypass its easy, if not then its a hassle and/or risky. Connecting 2 things directly to a power amp is a bad idea and can go very wrong.


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[lovinthehd]

Yes unclear on what you mean, almost sounds like you want a multich processor hooked up to your 2.0 amp/speaker set? Or are you adding speakers and amps and subs etc?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I do NOT want to disturb the two channel system.

Are you thinking that the "2CH system" is somehow better than a multi-channel AVR or Pre-pro?

Many of us would just use ONE great system for EVERYTHING - 2Ch and Multi-channel.

 

[Leemix]

A 2 ch system may very well have a sound the OP likes and i can understand wanting to keep that. Enjoyment is the whole point for most.


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[AcuDefTechGuy]

A 2 ch system may very well have a sound the OP likes

Are you saying the "Sound" from a "2Ch system" is different than the sound of an AVR or Pre-pro even when using 2Ch in the Pre-pro or AVR?

IOW, when the Pre-pro is playing music in 2Ch Direct Mode, it will sound inferior to the sound of a 2Ch system playing that same music?

 

[Leemix]

Are you saying the "Sound" from a "2Ch system" is different than the sound of an AVR or Pre-pro even when using 2Ch in the Pre-pro or AVR?

IOW, when the Pre-pro is playing music in 2Ch Direct Mode, it will sound inferior to the sound of a 2Ch system playing that same music?

A lot of gear is slightly colored, he might even have a tube pre.
Not saying a processor/AVR will sound inferior, just that it might sound slightly different.


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[steve64]

I already use two subs. I WILL NOT be using my blue metered preamp for movies.
All i want to know is if I can use my front l/r speakers and mc 275 mk vi from a separate pre-pro.
Without unhooking the Mac amp and speakers from the existing Mac preamp.
Without damage. Somebody out there has tried it.
I will start with a 3.2 system and then move up when the desire strikes me.
Do I think one type of system sounds " better " than another? Yes. I like separates.
That's me.
I have four amps in the closet now, and speakers stored away also.

 

[lovinthehd]

You could probably add a line level switch for which pre-amp to utilize for the amp/speaker....

 

[TLS Guy]

I already use two subs. I WILL NOT be using my blue metered preamp for movies.
All i want to know is if I can use my front l/r speakers and mc 275 mk vi from a separate pre-pro.
Without unhooking the Mac amp and speakers from the existing Mac preamp.
Without damage. Somebody out there has tried it.
I will start with a 3.2 system and then move up when the desire strikes me.
Do I think one type of system sounds " better " than another? Yes. I like separates.
That's me.
I have four amps in the closet now, and speakers stored away also.

No, you can not do exactly what you want.

You can drive your Mac power amp from an AV pre/pro. But you will have to disconnect the preamp. The only way you could do this is to have a switching system to switch the power amp input between the pre/pro and the your current pre amp outputs. The problem with these type of solutions, is that you inclined to set yourself up for hum.

It really would be best not to do this. Since you like Mac gear, it would be better if you bought a Mac pre/pro and retired your current preamp. That would make a neater better installation.

 

[TLS Guy]

This is a very high quality audio switcher that would work for you. They have taken special precautions to avoid hum problems. It looks like a good unit. I have linked you to Sweetwater. They are an excellent outfit I have worked with for years. It is not Chi-Fi junk, and made in Canada. That is the highest quality unit that will serve your purpose that I can find.

 

[PENG]

I already use two subs. I WILL NOT be using my blue metered preamp for movies.
All i want to know is if I can use my front l/r speakers and mc 275 mk vi from a separate pre-pro.
Without unhooking the Mac amp and speakers from the existing Mac preamp.
Without damage. Somebody out there has tried it.
I will start with a 3.2 system and then move up when the desire strikes me.
Do I think one type of system sounds " better " than another? Yes. I like separates.
That's me.
I have four amps in the closet now, and speakers stored away also.

As someone mentioned before, if your preamp has a HT bypass (different brands may call it differently) feature, then you can connect it to the multi-channel preamp/processor's output.

If your preamp does not have the feature, then I suspect (you can call McIntosh, or just try it, but be very careful) you can still do it by using the twin amp inputs if your Mc275 VI has those inputs that the Mc275 has.

 

[steve64]

Thank you, Peng. Yes, the McIntosh has a theater bypass. I do not want to use it. I want to feed a
sound signal directly from a separate PRE-PRO into the RCA inputs of the MAC 275 VI. The XLR inputs to the AMP are used by the C-50. My only concern is if I will get a damaging signal fed back to the C-50. I do not want to have to disconnect the XLR's every time I watch a movie. I admit I'm being lazy. BUT, this is the U.S.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thank you, Peng. Yes, the McIntosh has a theater bypass. I do not want to use it. I want to feed a
sound signal directly from a separate PRE-PRO into the RCA inputs of the MAC 275 VI. The XLR inputs to the AMP are used by the C-50. My only concern is if I will get a damaging signal fed back to the C-50. I do not want to have to disconnect the XLR's every time I watch a movie. I admit I'm being lazy. BUT, this is the U.S.

I have had a look at the circuit of your MAC 275 VI. It has a switch to switch between the unbalanced line and the balanced inputs. When set to unbalanced there is no connection to the balanced input. When you switch to balanced there is no connection from the balanced to the unbalanced inputs. So that switch on the amp acts as a line switch.

So if you connect the pre/pro to the unbalanced line in and your C-50 to the balanced inputs it will be quite safe. So if you use that switch to swap between the outputs of the Pre/pro and your C-50 it will work just fine.

If you had told us exactly what equipment you had and exactly the connections you were going to make, your question could have been answered in one post. So by delivering what we needed to know in these minute bites, you have wasted an awful of time. I don't know what your game was, but I for one do not appreciate it.

 

[steve64]

Thank you for wasting your time.