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AVR: Internal 2 CHANNEL AUDIO MODE. OR: HT BYPASS (external equipment for 2 CH Sources)

1. AVR, every one I had includes an AUDIO MODE for 2 CHANNEL which sends ALL signals ONLY to L & R Amps/Speakers. True 2 Channel sources, OR, ’unencode’ or ’down-mix’ surround to 2 Channels (often sounds better). Critically, surround center signal goes equally to L/R. Poorly done surround or cable created pseudo surround is ’put back together’.

or

2. HT BYPASS: separate L/R inputs direct to AVR’s L/R Amps (at full gain). You send volume controlled L/R signals (devices with their own volume control or via a preamp). (I’ve never had one, nor anyone I know).

https://hometheateracademy.com/home-theater-bypass/

In both cases, the AVR L/R amps only are driving the L/R Speakers, thus the amp’s sonic signature is the same. Using ’better’ equipment to feed the same amp?
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Why HT Bypass? Shortage of Inputs?

Blu-Ray players play CD, SACD so that’s already covered.

Aside from everything else, you need 2 remotes if you use HT Bypass (to control 2 Channel Volume).

Pure Signal? Many AVR’s offer ’PURE’ or ’DIRECT’. Many preamps offer tone bypass, i.e. Pure, Direct. Thus the preamp is simply a source selector and volume attenuator.

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IF I wanted ’better’ 2 channel equipment, I certainly would want ’better’ L/R amp(s) (most probably Tubes) so the AVR will be off and a method to get to the L/R speakers is needed.
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And, let’s not forget, the need for VIDEO (creating and maintaining L/C/R Imaging over WIDE multi-person viewing audience) is fundamentally different than AUDIO (refined/precise 2 Channel Imaging for a single listener).

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My contention: a specific speaker solution for WIDE L/C/R imaging for Home Theater, and try/use the AVR’s 2 Channel MODE for 2 channel source and force 2 channel to see if a surround source might sound better (often does). Simple Mode button, same volume, single remote.

2 Channel Music: a separate speaker type, thus a separate system.

I’ve always had a dedicated PC (even prior to HDMI) as an optional source for my HT, that’s my streamer and full net access, You Tube, Netflix, Prime etc. is on Smart TV’s now, but not in the old days. Even then, PC the source, I often find trying the AVR’s 2 Channel Mode sounds better. Audio and Video on the motherboard, no fan noise of dedicated video card.




elliottbnewcombjr
mtbiker29's avatar
mtbiker29
156 posts
 
@elliott it really is a thing of beauty once you get your head around it.  Truly the best of both worlds. When I started down the upgrade path a bigger badder AVR was on the agenda, but quickly went by the wayside after listening to a quality integrated.  Check out my system for an example. 
big_greg
6,554 posts
 
this popped up on eBay, seems like a good deal to me, has HT Bypass

I have owned a couple of Peachtree integrateds, the Nova 300 and Grand Integrated X1.  Both were quite a way up the food chain from the iNova, so I can't speak specifically to the iNova. 

The Peachtree units I owned had 300 and 440 WPC respectively, and this has 80 (at 6 ohms, so probably 60 at 8 ohms).  Peachtree has a fairly "neutral" sound and they put pretty decent DACs in their gear, so if you want to use the iNova for digital, that might be a good fit. 

One of the reviews I read said the preamp section is a little lacking, and since everything flows through that, that's a bit of a red flag for me, and makes me question how much better (if at all) it would be than using your AVR for 2 channel mode.  The lack of power means you better have fairly efficient speakers. 

For $500 you can hardly go wrong.  If it's not to your liking, you should be able to flip it and get most of your money back.

elliottbnewcombjr OP
5,111 posts
 
big_greg

Thanks for your personal experiences. I never heard a Peachtree.

I imagine many people have main speakers efficient enough for 60 wpc into 8 ohms where this would just turn things very darn good easily.

I also assume anyone tempted would jump about looking for any specific model's reviews/comments
elliottbnewcombjr OP
5,111 posts
 
mtbiker29.

you are right, those needing a dual duty system, HT Bypass is salvation indeed!

I still want to emphasize, using the same front speakers for 2 channel and video (3, 3.1; 5.1 ...: video needs to maintain L/C/R imaging over a much wider area for multiple viewer/listeners than 2 channel imaging does.

Your setup looks very nice, I’d be happy there,

but I would want to adjust the toe-in (via ’possible movement’, not easy movement of course).

1. best toe-in for one listener (audio or video if sitting in the middle alone);

2. more toe-in for two music only listeners and

3. any video with 2 or more watching/listening.

My music system at the music/dining end of the 'split' room is shown with toe-in for 1.

All my chairs and tables move easily on felt feet on the wood floor, so listening with a friend: little table in the middle, both off-center: left speaker aimed directly at right chair; right speaker aimed directly at left chair.

Very nice results, imaging maintained because you get more directivity, thus more volume from opposite side, and more volume by nearer distance on your side. Works.

Notice too, no solid arms or backs or solid bodys on the chairs, better sound of music on the sofa for Donna, ...

The video system other end of the room, those DBX Soundfield 100’s were specifically designed to do that with some extra tweeters thrown in. My music system tweeters are horns, wide dispersion, no extra tweeters needed even though they are ’crossed’ some, within limits of course.

I haven’t looked, I have to wonder if some current speakers do the DBX thing?
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,568 posts
 
HT bypass all the way.

As my room is dual use, I struggled and was determined to make my AVR a 2 channel preamp. But, as my own music SQ demands grew, I finally gave in and separated everything, on the same rack, in the same room.

I already went to a separate amp for my front speakers, and that did help. But what really helped (and thank goodness my AVR has pre outs) was finally getting a dedicated 2 channel preamp with bypass which the AVR can pass through in HT mode.

Now, all my 2 channel listening (turntable/pre, CD/DAC, and tape deck) is all through the 2 channel preamp>amp>main speakers. Thus, the AVR is no longer part of the music chain. And yes, everyone was right about it sounding better. Using the AVR as a 2 channel pre cannot compare. And I can change anything in the 2 channel chain I wish, without considering the AVR/HT at all. The one big limitation, and to make things easy, I would prefer a 2 channel pre with bypass. You can do it without, but it is more complicated. I wish more 2 channel pre’s had that option. But many do not, and one of the reasons I did not get serious on a vintage pre.

And, when watching TV, a simple press of a pre remote button, and all except my front/main speakers are driven by the AVR (front/mains are still driven by my separate power amp), where I am extremely less critical about the sound quality.

I think there is almost no way a HT processor can compete with a dedicated 2 channel setup. That is my opinion based on my personal experience attempting to do so. With my current setup, my 2 channel experience has been risen to a level I did not think possible.

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