Best multi channel amp and processor good for 2 channel listening.

@maguiar good question, I already had the MC452 amp so I wanted to keep in the family for my center/surrounds.  Found a great deal on a used MC7106 on Craigslist.  The MC7106 is actually directly coupled so is less warm than their amps with autoformers.  I ended up getting rid of surrounds for the time being and bridged 2 channels for my center (a harder to driver ML Stage).

The Marantz + MC452 + ML 11A speakers needless to say was too warm thus my switch to the Luxman.  Funny enough when I compared the MC452 vs. MC7106 bridged, the MC7106 sounded better with ML 11As, crisper highs.  It is a fairly powerful amp that can be found ~$1K+ used.

I have been a Denon/Marantz guy for a long time (for A/V).  I have to say my overall experience with Marantz has been great, especially for the price.  The attention to detail is pretty impressive, down to the copper chassis.

I like the fact it’s upgradeable to HDMI 2.1, it’s built like a tank, audio quality is great especially for movies, and the processing capabilities is amazing (even including IMAX).  On the video side, you really don’t get better for the price.  I know you mentioned you aren’t into streaming, but down the road if you decide to get into streaming their HEOS app can send native FLAC from Tidal to the 8805.  Not in the same level as dedicated DAC streamers, but still a nice to have.

Only negative is that it runs somewhat hot as all Marantz and Denon receivers/processors and it does not do analog passthrough (unprocessed) over balanced XLR input, just RCA.  Though this is really a non-issue for home theater use.

Eziggy,

You mentioned that the Marantz runs hot and that is a concern for me, since I watch a lot of TV and Movies..  

If 2 channel is most important to you, and you can only have 2 "boxes"

I might consider a nice HT receiver to run everything but your mains and 2 channel listening, and get a killer integrated with at HT loop to drive your mains and 2 channel system.

For years I tried to do HT and 2 channel with a 5 channel amp and higher end pre-pro.

Best I owned was the Classe SSP 800 and 5200 amp.  It did a nice job with 2 channel, but not what a dedicated pre-amp and 2 channel amp, or killer 2 channel integrated has done.

The other issue - reliability.  Really, really tough to compete on the HDMI/Processor front with the big companies.  

Get a nice Marantz surround receiver and killer integrated... 

@dep14,

This is what I am trying to do, separate my HT from my music. When I started this thread I was considering to intergrade my HT to my music but everything points to the opposite.

I am looking at the above listed intergrade for music but still undecided on the HT front. HT pre/pro considered are the Arcam, Nad, Audio Control Maestro 9 and Marantz. My concern is there is mention of the Marantz running hot and the Audio Control might be out of my budget unless I can get a killer deal on it. 

I am not technical at all, I usually have this all set up for me. I am not clear on the matter Marantz and an intergrade, do I not need a multi channel amp as well? I understand I will use my intergrade for my two channel music but I would also need a pre/pro and multi channel amp for HT. By chance any experience with any HT systems listed above or others and share the pros and cons to each?

@maguair, the Marantz is meant to be left on and used for extended periods of time, so won’t be a problem. If you plan on putting it in an enclosed cabinet, then you should get the inexpensive AC Inifnity Aircom fan unit to put on top. That should be used with any component in an enclosed space, including the other processors or amps you are looking at. But with enough clearance and air flow I wouldn’t worry about it. It may not be any hotter than the other processors, I have not compared. My older Denon x6400H receiver ran far hotter and I would leave it one for extended periods of time and never had an issue.

You would need a multi-channel amp as well to drive your other speakers (center and surrounds). The pre/pro has analog audio which feeds to your integrated for the front L/R two speakers, and the other channel outputs to another amp (or amps) to drive any other speakers.

edit:  just noticed @dep14’s post, you can definitely just pick up a higher end Marantz or Denon receiver to drive the rest of your home theater speakers. You would just use the pre-out for the L/R to the integrated.  However, just make sure your speakers are easy to drive.