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Affordable integrated amps with HT bypass?

I own a Rotel RA-1062 integrated amp, a Rotel RCD-1072 CD player and 3 pairs of B&W DM 602 S3 speakers, NONE OF WHICH HAVE EVER been out of the box since purchased. (LONG story)

I LIKE the way this combination sounded when I demo'd / auditioned.

I'm finally ready to set something up in my living room.

The key is that I want one system setup for music and movies, with music the priority.

The Rotel amplifier I own is supposed to be very good at the price point but does not have HT bypass.

The newest integrated from Rotel is also supposed to sound very good but it also did not come with HT bypass.

I want to have both music and movies but I don't want to go with a one box solution because I understand AV receivers don't sound so great with music when compared to even a budget high end integrated amp.

Plus there is the issue of trying to cram too much into an AV receiver, lowering the quality of everything and the likelihood of something breaking.

Should I start over, looking for an integrated amp, that sounds good paired with my speakers and has the HT bypass feature?

Or should I keep what I have and switch speaker wires back and forth between the integrated amp that I own and like, and whatever AV receiver I end up getting, every time I want to switch between listening to music and watching a movie?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice that comes my way.
timothyd11
timothyd11 OP
10 posts
 
Some help please!
glenfihi
525 posts
 
Believe the Marantz PM8004 has HT bypass ability. For more funds the new line of McIntosh amps do have them.
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
You can mimic HT bypass by simply plugging the pre-amp outs of the receiver into an analog input on the Rotel integrated. Set the volume control to the appropriate level so its output is balanced with the center and surrounds using a standard setup feature on the receiver or with a test tone and a sound level meter. When you want to listen to movies, select the input on the Rotel and set the volume control accordingly. You can mark the volume level by putting a little dot or line on the pre-amp with a Sharpie or similar. That allows you to set a reproducible volume. HT bypass would bypass the pre-amp in the Rotel, but for what you are doing having the pre-amp section of the Rotel integrated in the path is not really an issue.
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paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
I am a big fan of units with a HT Bypass feature, whether they are integrated amps or pre-amps. It truly allows the best of worlds, HT and high quality 2 channel stereo in one system and with the push of a button.

You do not mention budget but do seem to be quite satisfied with your current Rotel. It just doesn't have the much desired HT bypass function. I appears your Rotels specs are 60 wpc and listed under $1000. If this is the power and budget you currently wish to be at, Glenfihi already recommended a good one - the Marantz PM8004. Outstanding integrated for the money and built at Marantz' reference factory in Japan. 70 wpc and lists at $1000. This would be my first recommendation too.

Then, I would also look at the Creek Evolution 2, 80 wpc and $1100 list and the Music Hall A70.2 at 125 wpc and $1500 list. All have HT Bypass. Check Audio Advisor and Music Direct for demo pricing a lot lower than the list prices I provided. Good luck.
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