Video Asylum

Posted by bstan on March 03, 2001 at 12:51:58:

In Reply to: Hooking 2ch and AV preamp to a power amp posted by magman on March 01, 2001 at 11:13:37:

I use a 2-channel stereo pre-amp in my setup with a separate DD/DTS processor. The key is using a RS SPL meter to set the db level of the main L&R speakers at a specific (marked) level of volume control on the AI 2B pre-amp when the AV-pre-amp is being used. In my case I'm lucky, my 75db reference volume for my AV-pre-amp puts my stereo preamp volume control at the 12 o'clock position. When I listen to my CDP, the volume is normally at 9-10 o'clock.

I would recommend you take the L&R analog out from your AV pre-amp and hook it up to an "aux" analog input on your AI 2B pre-amp. Then hook the AI 2B L&R analog output to the Krell KSA-80. I notice you use the HSU sub with your 2-channel system. If you don't use an active electronic crossover between the Maggies and HSU sub today, you might want to try something like a Marchand electronic crossover between the AI 2B and the Krell amp. This means you would not connect the sub to the AV-preamp, but would instead set the AV pre-amp to route all bass to the main L&R (by selecting no sub out).

This way when you hook up your current CDP or transport and dac combo to the AI 2B to listen to stereo you don't need to turn on the AV pre-amp.