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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
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!
maxwave's avatar
maxwave
1,082 posts
 
@mikekollar

 Yes. This is what I have done.
With an integrated amplifier , a Processor , Power amplifiers.
No compromises , perfect integration. But it is expensive.

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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