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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
big_greg
6,821 posts
 
Stating an opinion often and emphatically doesn't magically transform it into a fact, other than perhaps to the person stating it. 

Many of today's movies are made to be both a visual and sonic experience and a nice home theater system will allow you to enjoy the movie the same way, or in my experience, better than the theater experience.  How many theaters have you been to lately that only have two channels? 

If throwing away all of the location context you get from a well implemented surround system is "better" to you, cool.  If you personally don't have the budget or desire to put together a system that combines both home theater and two channel that doesn't mean it can't be done or shouldn't be done.  You can have both and you don't have to spend a fortune.

Before surround sound came out, I enjoyed watching movies with the sound coming out of two speakers.  That was better than the one little speaker in the TV.  But technology has marched on and I know for myself, after seeing and hearing Apocalypse Now and experiencing the Ride of the Valkyries scene in surround sound, I was sold and have never looked back.
vinylshadow
556 posts
 
@8044drussell  @auxinput  @big_greg

About getting a pre in line after my Classe processor. I was in correspondence with Dave Nauber, the president of Classe and he suggested I look into getting their Delta pre to connect to my Classe processor for strict 2 channel. That I'd get "the best of both worlds" with it and my Classe processor.

He also wrote -

"The Delta PRE, sitting between the SSP-800 and the Model 12 amplifiers becomes your preamp for two channel audio. It is indeed additional circuitry for the front L&R when in multichannel mode, but it is so neutral that it’s not considered a real compromise compared to the benefits it offers for stereo sources. It’s a dedicated stereo preamp and a lot newer than the SSP-800 and more expensive as far as the stereo path is concerned, so it’s a step up for stereo sources."

I then asked him- If I leave things as they are now with phono pass through with my SSP-800, am I foolish to spend big money on a new turntable/tonearm and phono amp upgrade as it won't sound as good as it is supposed to because of the Classe?

"The limiting factor would likely be the phono stage but with both the phono stage and the SSP-800 you will be able to hear improvements made on the turntable without additional investment in the preamp. You’d just hear a bit more of the improvements going directly through the Delta PRE."


I just upgraded to a Rogue Ares Magnum tube phono drive with 2 table inputs and a mono switch for my mono table.....The Classe Delta is $10K. Is that investment worth "a bit more" of the improvements to 2 channel from the SSP-800?

https://www.classeaudio.com/products/delta-pre/


A rhetorical question for the ages!

 


sgreg1
612 posts
 
I had the same dilemma one room to serve dual purpose. I tried the ht being the mothership and thought it sounded good until i heard a dedicated two channel system. Jump forward i have two systems in my single room and they both sound fantastic. When you try to multi task you will always have a compromise some where. Either ht will suffer or two channel will suffer. Example my mono blocks are class A and sound great but class A is not a wise choice for ht. My ht pioneer elite is class D and for two channel digital, it is needles in the ears and fast listener fatigue. I know not everyone has the option for two systems but if you have to go with one you need to decide where you will compromise. For me music always has and will come first.
maxwave's avatar
maxwave
1,082 posts
 
HT processor/receiver  is for sound effects  (movies)
Two channels gears  are  for sound ecstasy (music)

In a lifetime , I may listen a thousand time , an album .
I will not watch a thousand time the same movie.

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!
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