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Marantz pm8006 vs Denon PMA-1700NE for combined home theatre and music room

Hi everyone,

I am looking at how I can combine stereo and surround sound in one AV system so I can switch between music and movies.

I have a Denon x3800h driving a 5.1.4 Atmos setup. I also have another room with some ceiling speakers that I want to drive from this room and will be used only for music.

I was thinking of using the x3800h for my Center Speaker, Surrounds and 4 Height Speakers. I was then thinking of running the fronts via pre-out to another amplifier which has a main-in/HT-bypass to drive the fronts whilst watching movies. If connected via a main-in, it converts the stereo amplifier into a power amp only with the Denon x3800 having full control over volume etc...

When listening to music, I have a Wiim Pro that would connect either direct to the stereo amplifier or via an outboard DAC and drive the fronts and/or a second zone in the other room.

Based on the above requirements I was looking for a stereo amplifier with both a main-in/HT-bypass and supports 2 speakers zones.

Via this very useful site, http://audiophile.no/en/articles-tests-reviews/item/426-amplifiers-with-processor-input I have narrowed my options down to The Marantz PM8006 and the Denon PMA-1700NE. 

Does anyone have an opinion on which would be best to provide good sound to my fronts for home theatre as well as good sound for music?

Thanks

cainullah
curtdr
348 posts
 

I understand your dilemma as I've been through the same though-processing.  I understand you already have the Denon.  Would it be worth it though, in elegance or simplification, to sell it, if you don't feel it's good enough, and simply get a surround receiver that also plays well in two-channel mode?  There are plenty that do so.  Cut the number of boxes, cables, complications...  

tony1954's avatar
tony1954
1,049 posts
 

@cainullah

Been there before and the best solution is to keep HT and two channel completely separated, except for one interconnect between the L/R pre outs of the Denon and the HT bypass inputs of whatever integrated you buy. This assumes that the AVR can output the front left and right channels separately and the integrated amplifier has a HT Bypass option.

This site should help.

http://www.audiophile.no/en/articles-tests-reviews/item/426-amplifiers-with-processor-input

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 

you can't combine home theater and music....they are mutually exclusive

kota1
2,706 posts
 

@stringreen 

Did you ever watch a movie before that had a soundtrack? You know, like Jurassic park, Star Wars, JAMES BOND? I agree YOU can't combine home theater and music, but for the rest of us its not a problem. LOL.

cainullah OP
29 posts
 

All, thanks so much for your time and effort to reply. As ever, there are a few differing opinions but all are valuable and give plenty of food for thought.

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