Integrate AVR and 2-Channel; Why so complicated?

Braudio7,

This is actually very simple, especially if you buy an integrated amp or amp/pre-amp with HT bypass/processor loop.

There are plenty of good integrated amps out there that have HT bypass. A few older units that I've owned with this feature were Arcam Alpha 10, Plinius 8200 and Anthem Integrated-2, and they all worked well.

Simply build a good 2-channel system using CD->integrated->speakers. Then take the L&R pre-outs from your HT receiver into the HT bypass/processor loop input of the integrated amp and connect all of your multi-channel/HT sources to the receiver. Once you calibrate your HT system with the integrated powering the front speakers, there really isn't any additional complexity over your current AVR, except pushing the HT bypass button on the integated when you plan to use HT sources.

Enjoy,

TIC

My Naim Nait 5i has a unity gain option for AV. Highly recommended unit if it meets your needs.

Thanks, all.

Reubent, the HT bypass feature does restrict my options a bit, but I recognize that configuring it this way is a compromise to begin with. Thanks for the info, I'll look into some integrated amps with that feature. Danlib, how do you like your Naim Nait 5i?

You can actually do it without having an HT bypass. Any integrated amp will work. You just connect the L&R front pre-outs from your HT receiver to any unused line-level inputs on the Integrated amp. The only difference is that you will need to "pre-define" a position on the volume control of the Integrated amp before you calibrate the HT setup and also every time you use the HT setup.

You can simply choose a volume position like "top-dead-center" and simply turn the integrated amp's volume control to this position every time you use the HT system.

This setup is slightly more complicated, but once you do it a few times, it will become second nature.

Don't over think this. If you want a quality 2-channel system, just build it. Regardless of what integrated amp or seperates you choose, you can "add-on" the HT receiver to power the surround and center channels and provide HT processing.

The HT bypass or processor loop functionality just simplifies the setup a bit by taking the integrated amps volume control out of the circuit. But it is absolutely not necessary to have the HT bypass feature to accomplish a "combo" 2-channel and multi-channel HT system in the same room, sharing the front speakers and amplification.

Enjoy,

TIC

Reubent, thank you for taking the time to answer my question in depth, this was exactly the info I needed. Now I can begin my search for a suitable integrated amp...