Connect your av processor through the tape loop of your analog preamp if you dont have a processor loop. This will let you control volume with the processor when watching movies. If, like me, you are using low powerred tube amps for your stereo system(which are gonna become the two mains in a HT set-up) make sure to set these speakers to the position ''small'' this will send the bass to the subwoofers and free up lots of power. Unlike music, movie playback requires a great deal of power for the constantly varying SPLs, it can really tax your amp to reproduce a loud explosion. As for the center channel it is really unnecessary and highly overrated. Unless your speakers are broken and cannot image properly, I don't see why they wouldn't be able to create a 'phantom' center channel by puting the dialog in between your two speakers(most av pro have a phantom center channel option) . I have a center channel that I don't even use because when I turn it on I find the sound becomes disconnected from the two fronts and the voices sound congested. Save your money don't buy one, or if you really think you need one try it first before you buy, more and more people are changing their views about center channels and are getting rid of them. 'Nough said... I have to listen to the new Sade cd I just bought, but not before I whatch Gladiator with my wife... Happy Holidays!!!
Home Cinema Poisoning my System?
I love movies and enjoy tinkering with home cinema gear but my priority is music and I am concerned about the addition of home cinema equipment to my system and listening room. Is it possible to merely overlay the additional channels to an otherwise hardcore obssessive 2-channel system without ill effect? Rather than a combined system, it seems one could tap the audiophile pre-out into a separate processor/preamp/receiver etc which then went into the center and rear speakers, thereby being "separate" from the 2-channel system and switching the whole cheesey suburban Matrix demoing thing off when listeing to Wagner. Is this a popular configuration? If so, would it also make sense to use a matching stereo speaker for the center speaker instead of a home cinema center speaker? It seems to me that 3 ML SL-3s, for example, would be more "matched" than SL-3s and their center channel home cinema speaker. Thank you for your comments and ideas.