[Ron S]

Hi all!

Looks like I've been bitten by the upgrade bug again

I'm running a music/HT setup through an Onkyo 696, driving the mains with monoblocks through pre-outs, and the sub and center through a 2 channel amp via pre-outs as well. The only amplification the Onkyo performs is on the rear surrounds.

The addition of the monos has made a tremendous improvement in the quality of 2 channel audio, but I'm ready to take the plunge and go for even better music.

I'm more than a little fuzzy on how a T7 could be integrated into this scenario, though. Would I connect the CD source to the T7, pre-outs on the receiver to the T7 (which inputs?), and then the T7 to the monos?

How would I set this up for HT so that all the channels are properly calibrated for a 5.1 setup? With the volume for all channels in HT duties being controlled by the receiver?

And, lastly, since I'm using the direct mode on the receiver (supposedly bypassing the electronics within and using the DACs on the CD player), would I be likely to notice a large difference in sound quality?

Sorry if this sounds like a newbie question, but, well, I *am* a newbie

[Ron S]

Ack, 28 views and no replies? C'mon guys, help a brudda out

Forgot to mention associated equipment. I'm using Odyssey mono xTremes to feed VMPS RM40's with the TRT upgrade. Should prove a worthy compliment to the T7, from all the good things I've read about it.

The weak link after buying the pre would be the CDP. Sony C555ES. Quite a capable little machine, but will get upgraded. One thing at a time, hehe.

Thanks...

[avahifi]

You should choose the T7 EC model which has a switchable External Processor Loop designed especially for integrating a HTS into the system.

The setup is as follows:

Plug all normal stereo sources into the T7 EC preamp, and use the main line outputs on the EC to drive your main left and right channel amplifier and speakers.

Connect the EPL Out jacks from the preamp to an AUX or Spare set of inputs on the surround sound processor.  Connect the main left and right audio outputs on the processor to the EPL IN jacks on the preamp.

With the EPL button in the Out position on the preamp, the surround sound system is completely out of circuit (both inputs and outputs disconnected) and you have a pure stereo audio system.

With the EPL button in the In position, the surround sound system is in the loop.  Adjust the volume control on the T7 EC to get a level match with the rest of the surround sound speakers (because the volume has click stops the adjustment is easy to repeat), then use the Surround Sound remote and volume control to govern the overall output.  This will provide the best possible sound either with or without the Surround Sound processor as the main speakers are being driven by the T7 EC preamp and amp in either case, and the choice is a simple push of an EPL button.

Call us at 952-890-3517 if you need more help regarding this.

Frank Van Alstine

[John B]

Not only does the T7 integrate well into an HT system, but it actually improves the sound going to your mains via your pre-pro.  I tried it both with the T7 in the loop and a straight run to the pre-pro.  There was a definite boost to the overall dynamics of the sound using the T7's processor loop.   I found that having the volume control a little below the half way mark was the sweet spot in level matching.

[Ron S]

Thanks for the input, Frank and John, this newbie appreciates it, hehe.

I've decided to definitely upgrade my 2 channel listening capabilities. There are some sub-decidions still to make. Like how important multichannel capabilities would suffer, for one. And other things such as matching the pre to the input sensitivity of the monos (something I admit to having next to zero knowledge about, but I'm trying to research it).

One thing for certain, though, is the reputation of the T7 precedes it, and puts it in strong contention. Even most of my SACD and DVD-A listening is done with stereo. Seems more natural that way on the vast majority of recordings I own.

On to more reading...