2. amps-preamps
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ARC LS 25 Mk 11 Bypass

I'd like to get better "2 channel" performance out of my HT system (Bel Canto Evo 6 amp and PrePro processor, Theta CD transport). When I was at my local stereo store the salesperson recommended that I simply purchase the LS 25 Mk II. He told me that it has a "bypass" feature that will allow me to use the LS for 2 channel music and the PrePro for HT and multichannel applications...without having to move cords everytime I want to move between music and HT. I've tried to find literature on line that would explain how the wiring would work, but I've been unsuccessful. Has anyone out there done this with the LS 25 or some other preamp? If so, did you find the 2 channel sound to be substantially better than simply running it through the processor?
Thanks everyone.
riccap

Showing 8 responses by oneobgyn

oneobgyn
410 posts
 
"When running home theater through a 2 channel analog preamp, most preamps, including the ARC ls25mk2, will be processing to some minor degree the signal and thus degrade it"

Absolute nonsense ...it is a pass through and no degradation of the signal.

I use my ARC Ref 3 "Processor" input (AKA through pass) for my HT function and there is no degradation of signal
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
"The most improtant factor sonically here would be the quality of interconnects that is used between HT pre/pro to LS-25 and a pair from LS-25 to amp. Use good cables and you will sacrifice nothing."

as much as I am a cable tweak, I again respectfully disagree
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
"The Ref 3 and the LS25 MKII do the same function. They provide a "pass thru" for the signal from your HT processor. I've been running mine for over two years without a problem. That's the whole reason for having the bypass circuit is to allow the HT processor signal to run straight thru to the 2 channel preamp without being altered by the preamp?"

precisely my point and even though I am a cable zealot the previous comment of needing good cables so that nothing is sacrificed is also nonsense
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
"If all we want is to route a pair of inputs directly to the outputs, can't this be done through the use of one toggle switch?"

you could do this yourself with a simple A/B switch and forget about a theater through pass input
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
Sorry to have been so judgemental but I understand your point once expounded upon.

Likewise to you...Happy New year
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
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
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
I respectfully disagree.
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
"I am telling you for a fact, that with the LS25MK2 in home theater bypass mode, it does change the sound from your ht processor and not in a positive way."

What I don't understand is how you make that comment inasmuch as you need to use the throughpass mode to accept the L + R main channels from your pre-pro to be used for HT.

Now if you tell me that you are using the preamp part of your processor for 2 channel music I would suggest that any good 2 channel preamp will always sound better than a HT pre-pro.

For you to suggest that the sound is degraded by your ARC preamp suggests that you have to have used only your HT pre-pro for music listening without using the thoughpass input (IOW, your L +R main outs from your pr-pro go directly to your amps). I have done this with my system and I still disagree with you. There is just no degradation of signal when used through the "processor" input on my Ref 3
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