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Home Theater Bypass , why am I hearing this now.

I have a Home Theater and when I upgraded my Onkyo to a Marantz it was a true Upgrade I was impressed, anyway like any other hobby I wanted to make improvements on top of what I just gained. The more I read the more I realize AVR HT receivers will never get you a tru HIFI experience because of the processing that takes place and a dedicated 2 ch is the only way to go ask Millercarbon he will surly be all over this one. I only have one room in my house that doubles as a home theater and listening room. I was ready to pick up a Prisma NP5 streamer (to move to my rack and network ) and a Denafrips ares Dac thinking I would get an upgrade to my source that is Tidal over my phone over the air currently( anything is better than this method). Im wondering if its a waste of time and money since I plan on using it with my AVR, then I stumbled onto guys talking about HT bypass for this reason. I haven't read or herd HT bypass yet on this Forum and wanted to know what you all thought, at some point i wanted to get a 8k marantz Processor and dedicated Amp but before I drop $7k I want to make sure I figure out this HT bypass because I want better High Rez audio from my HT system. 
ngiordano

Showing 4 responses by mikekollar

mikekollar's avatar
mikekollar
42 posts
 
How is treating an AV receiver as a separate input (through HTBP) in a pre amp and a streamer in input 2 of a pre-amp NOT separation. In this case, the streamer has nothing to do with the AV receiver. It is truly just a streamer going to pre amp, going to power amp, going to speakers. You could disconnectthe AV receiver completely or leave it all hooked up.... no difference in listening to the 2 channel stereo in either case. Ridiculous and unecessary to have another set of mains in this case
mikekollar's avatar
mikekollar
42 posts
 
Lots of opinions, lots of ways to go..... Here is what I did and maybe you are willing to spend more than me, but here is MY setup. Yamaha Aventage 7.2 AV receiver. Ok, perfect for movies.... done. Now, 2 channel stereo running into my Legacy Focus XD speakers, what to do. I looked at rotel that has HTBP functions but ended up with Emotiva pre-amp with HTBP into Emotiva power amp. This setup is perfect. Streamer runs into the pre amp and has nothing to do with the AV receiver and I am in 2 channel heaven. Then engage HT bypass and now in movie heaven. Emotiva makes nice equipment to accomodate all of this...... works for me!
mikekollar's avatar
mikekollar
42 posts
 
Bottom line: 3 pieces needed

AV Receiver - all surround speakers hooked up as normal, main front L and R come from main pre out

HTBP pre amp - HTBP main L and R in from AV receiver pre out

Power amp to main L and R

Result 1 = 7.2, 9.2, 11.2 or whatever you have for movies works as it should, total movie theater equivelent as to sound

Result 2 = 2 channel streaming to L and R mains, perfect stereo listening

No compromise at all to each. PERFECT integration of theater and 2 channel stereo listening through the same set of main L, R tower speakers. Love it!
mikekollar's avatar
mikekollar
42 posts
 
Sure it is.... at a minimum, you have to purchase the whip snappy AV Receiver 2K, 3k maybe. Then you get to purchase an expensive pre amp and an expensive power amp. BUT..... when you are done........ ooooh, so nice. Switch from Movie surround mode to pristine 2 channel stereo mode with the push of one button on the remote (htbp on; htbp off)...... so slick and perfect.
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