2. home-theater
  3. 167933-132884

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
elliottbnewcombjr OP
5,112 posts
 
what speakers are you driving?

bypassing a lower quality AVR is one thing, but yours?

Marantz says you have a high end preamp 8805

McIntosh says you have 7 channels of high end amp 8207

I will take 7 gazillion external and internal twists and turns, switches, pots, .... rather than a ’straight wire with gain’ IF it sounds awesome!! yours sounds awesome???

Have you heard something better? If so, are you sure it’s not their speakers?

IF I don’t hear degradation, I’m not losing features or convenience for nothing gained but meeting esoteric ’ideas’. I’m battling that now with whether my Oppo 105 will make a real difference, or just do it because ’they say it’s better’.


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you could get ’better’ 2 channel amp for the ’front stereo system’, and let that system handle 2 channel sources fed straight into it, AVR OFF.

then, as you suggest, the 8207 would only drive center, surround When 8505 is sending those signals.

Sub(s)? Depends on your existing main’s bass capability.


pedroeb
493 posts
 
I went to the extreme with identical monoblocks and similar speakers on all channels. A lot of people consider the center speaker unimportant, but if it is not good as the main speakers the sound quality is going to be compromised. In my mind, the same for all channels!

Couldn't be happier with my results.
elliottbnewcombjr OP
5,112 posts
 
I just upgraded our center channel and rear surround speakers, some used Klipsch. We both like the Klipsh R34-C center, sound and looks, it's low height, wide dispersion, and no rear ports perfect for our setup. 

https://www.klipsch.com/products/r-34c-center-speaker

After volume adjustment (I had to cut it's relative strength): you never know how the tonality will mix, in our case it blended in as well with the old DBX Soundfield 100's as the smaller Bose one it replaced.

The rear ones, replaced some Paradigms, no real difference, just made the Paradigms available for my shop, out go the tiny Energys (my original rear speakers).
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