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Two channel home theater speaker integration

I have separate two channel and home theater equipment but want to use the same set of speakers. I originally had two sets of speaker wires (one from each amp) with bananas and just swapped cables when switching from 2 channel or home theater. I found a nice switch box that allowed me to input both sets of speaker cables with output to the one set of speakers. After testing for a while, I decided that I compromised my two channel sound. So I decided to put both sets of speaker wires on the speakers. I figured I was only using one amp at a time so what's the big deal. However I have been noticing that sometimes when I switch from two channel back to home theater, the home theater amp goes into a protection mode and shuts down. I have to turn in it off, unplug and replug, and then it works fine. Am I messing up the amps up here with this set up?
128x128lxgreen
8 responses Add your response
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Don't do that unless both sets of amps have relays on the outputs. Otherwise, even when off, the amplifier outputs can conduct, with a potentially amp destroying low impedance.

The best way to integrate 2 channel with home theater is to route your HT L and R via your preamp.

Is your multi-channel setup separates, or a receiver?

Best,


Erik
lxgreen's avatar
lxgreen OP
34 posts
 
Thanks, I have separate multichannel a part no processor (Marantz) for HT set up. I tried doing the pre out from HT to 2 channel but proved two challenging for wife when all she wants to do is watch tv.
lxgreen's avatar
lxgreen OP
34 posts
 
Separate multichannel amp and processor
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Ahhh. You may actually be better off just adding a pair of HT speakers. :)

Do you use a sub for movies? If so, small satellites will fix all of this. :)

Best,


Erik
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
I just had a slightly different situation. I decide to purchase a AV receiver to drive my center channel only and use my HT bypass on my preamp. My center channel is driven by the AV receiver and my main speakers are driven by my 2 channel amp. When I'm listening to music I don't turn the AV receiver on.
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dbphd
1,058 posts
 
Or you can use something like a Harmony remote.  On my remote you press Ayre to turn on the Ayre disc player and the Parasound JC 2 BP preamp in stereo mode; you press DirecTV to turn on the projector, the HD DVR, the Bryston SP3 processor, and the JC 2 BP in pass-through mode so front LR from the SP3 can access the pair of JC 1 amps used for stereo. (The other channels from the SP3 go directly to amps and a bass manager.)  You download an ap from Logitech that lets you set what gets turned on when you press each button.  Pressing a single button turns everything off. 
lxgreen's avatar
lxgreen OP
34 posts
 
Thanks, I'll experiment with the options
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
I just had a slightly different situation. I decide to purchase a AV receiver to drive my center channel only and use my HT bypass on my preamp. My center channel is driven by the AV receiver and my main speakers are driven by my 2 channel amp. When I'm listening to music I don't turn the AV receiver on.

+1 for ricred!  Exactly how my system is configured.

To the OP - you stated in a previous post that you already have pre-outs on your Marantz so your in business.  Get a stereo preamp or integrated amp with a Home Theater Bypass feature and you can integrate both your surround system and a high fidelity stereo system into one.  Your stereo power or integrated amp will drive your mains full time.  No switch boxes - just pure clean HiFi for music as it was meant to be. 
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