[Pycroft]

Hello all -

I am the current, happy owner of a Odyssey Stratos dual mono amplifier.  I have a VERY nice tube preamp I am using, but am considering looking into a trade for another tube preamp.  In my heart, I was hoping I can grab a Candela - assuming the synergy between the amp/preamp would be perfect (If you have one that you aren't 100% happy with, feel free to contact me for possible trade).

I have a question regarding the 'home theatre bypass' option.  Can someone explain to me how this works?  I have a home theatre that I use, but it would be nice to combine, and sell all my speakers/components that won't be used - I'd probably actually make out the same in regards to money. 

It says on the website that one input can be configured for home theatre bypass.  How would the setup work with the following:

HK AVR 354 as a processor which I use now (I guess if I used the candela, this would not be needed anymore, or would it?) It has preouts, so I would hook the Odyssey amp to power my speakers (Sony SS-M9's).  Another amp or the AVR to power the other 3 speakers?  Then there is a switch to select 2 channel use or 5 channel?

Any information you can provide would be appreciated.  Assume I'm a total idiot when you're speaking to me about this. Nothing is too simple to explain to me

James

[jdodmead]

You would still need your HK, connect the mains preouts to the ht bypass on the Candela, then it will pass through to the mains amp for ht duties. The Candela does not do the ht processing, that's why you would still need the HK for ht processing. You would not be using less equipment, you would just be able to pass the ht signal through thre Candela without having to adjust the volume, which is what would need to be done with a pre that doesn't have the ht bypass(like I have too)
Good luck
Jeff

[Pycroft]

Jeff -

Thanks for the info.  One other, probably stupid question.  Using the HT bypass makes it so nothing at all is lost when listening to 2 channel, correct?  I'm more of a 2 channel guy that has HT for the family, etc. and don't want to degrade my 2 channel performance at all because of the HT. I think that's how it works but not sure.

Also, do I have to do something to make it HT bypassable? Again, it said something like one input can be configured for HT bypass.  Does something have to happen to make it work?  Will I have to send the preamp back to Klaus for him to do something, or is that just a saying they use online?

Thanks,

James

[srb]

The two channel performance is untouched.  Your two channel sources are connected to your two channel preamplifier and the preamp outputs go directly to the power amp, just as if the HT part did not exist.
 
The HT performance has a bit of extra signal path and circuitry to go through, depending on the HT Bypass implementation.  Some HT Bypass inputs are straight wire routed through the preamplifier with only extra interconnects to go through, while others send the signal through the preamp circuitry, but at unity gain (no gain).  Either way, for most of us that have a priority leaning toward two channel, the extra cabling or circuitry for the HT part has a minimal effect.
 
It is unclear from the website whether the HT Bypass input needs to be configured by Odyssey and I see no mention of it in the "Unified User's Manual", so you should probably contact Odyssey for clarification.
 
Steve

[Maceo23]

I think the easiest way to wrap your head around how the HT Bypass works is to think of your HK as just another source for your preamp.  Like a cd player or a turntable, when it isn't in use, its not in the loop.