RDMB - could you explain how you're hooking in your second two channel preamp? Are you going out from the 950 into say an aux or video input on your 2 channel, and from there out to the L&R on the amp?

Do you find that this timbral change to just 2 speakers distracting with HT? I have an old Rotel pre that I'm looking to do something similar with. Thanks for any help.