[oakleaf]

My system:
Panny 50" Plasma monitor
NAD T751 AVR with following sources:
   Oppo Blu-ray
   DirecTV DVR
   Samsung STB
Khartago/Etesian with following sources:
   Ah! Tjoeb
   NAD T751 HT Front Channel Pre-Out
   MusicStreamer DAC (for FLAC files)
Matching DIY Speakers (Scanspeak midwoofs/Dynaudio tweets)
DIY Shiva Sub using old Perreaux amp in bridge mode

I'm thinking of upgrading my out-of-date NAD T751.  Would like to finally have matching amps so I'm thinking of a Pre/Pro with additional Odyssey Audio amps.  (I will not part with my Khartago/Etesian/Ah! Tjoeb!) 

So some alternatives and questions:

(1)  Purchase Stratos 3-Channel HT Amp to run fronts and center and use existing Khartago to run rears.  Two questions if I do this:
   (a) Is there any issue with playing the Ah! Tjoeb and DAC through this Stratos - essentially using L&R channels with no load (more correctly, no signal) to the Center channel - which I will be doing often?
   (b) How well does the Khartago/Stratos match up?  (i.e., in my current set-up with differing amps, there is a definate "tonal" difference between fronts, center and rears.  Will one exist between my Khartago and this Stratos given matching speakers?)

(2)  Purchase two Khartago stereo amps using to run fronts and center and use existing Khartago to run rears.  Questions:
   (a) Can one Khartago be bridged and, if so, will that alter sound "tonality"?
   (b) If I don't bridge, what happens with the channel with no load?

Thanks in advance! 

[golfugh]

Oak

I'm currently running an HT-3 solely for surround duty (2 channels) until my center is purchased - ergo no issues; I asked Klaus before I did this.  I have monos for l/r.

As far as matching the Khartago/Stratos I don't see it as a problem.  I'd personally run the Stratos HT-3 for the front 3 (matched for all 3 front channels) and the Khartago for surrounds.

Call Klaus, he'll have the best advice.

Mark

[AnalogDog]

I'd just do what you're planning. There would be no issues running an HT3 configured thusly. The sonic signature should match perfectly with your Khartago running the rear channels, since the input impedance, sensitivity, and circuitry are essentially identical. (A Khartago IS a Stratos in a smaller box). If you bridged your Khartago, then you'd just have a Khartago monobloc. No probs.