Safely combining 2ch. and HT.

There should be no problem if you use the digital out from your CD player into the HK. Or you can try Y cables from the analog output of your CD player if it only has one pair of analog outs and see how that works. But, if you have a DVD player, it would be easier to play your CDs in it when you want to use surround sound.

Lthkeeper & Rwwear you sound like you or on the right track using the "digital out" on the cdp. If I go out dig.out to the HK "dig. in", the HK surround processor will do it's thing. However, If I also have the Regular Balanced outs going to the pre-amp, I would now be sending a digital signal to the surround processor and an analog signal to the pre-amp which is running the front main speakers. The real problem then is this: Can I also leave the cable hooked up going from the HK "pre-out,fronts" going in the the "surround in" on the pre-amp, which is used when only in HT mode, without causing a dangerous feedback loop? I am assuming that would work as long as the pre-amp is not switched to "surround" mode when playing the cd.?

You should be able to use it this way but try it and see. If it feeds back, it will only be noisy. If it is disconnect it. It won't actually harm anyhing.