seeking Hybrid Integrated Amp recommendations

Dtc - I follow you . . . he currently has an Integra HT Receiver, and is not satisfied with the music only (stereo) performance. He ran another thread questioning whether adding 2 outboard amps would improve this. The net of the thread is he would be better off going with a separate 2 channel pure analog rig and run his Integra through it (via bypass) for HT use (ie driving the Totem's as his Main speakers. He prefers an integrated for space reasons. So in the proposed scenario, he would connect his Integra Main L/R outputs to a HT (or unity gain) input on a TBD integrate. The idea is to either bypass the preamp section completely and use just the power amp section, or at least bypass the preamp volume control and use the power amp section. The more common setup for this approach is separate preamp and power amp.

Bdgregory - We are in sync. I followed the other thread, although not in great detail. I think it is partially a matter of terminology, but I just wanted to clarify that I do not think he is looking for an integrated with a traditional HT bypass, but rather an integrated with a fixed input.

Definitely just a matter of terminology, as “HT bypass” and “HT pass through” get used regardless of how it is actually implemented, and may be even be called “HT direct” or “A/V direct”. In one case, an input is switchable between AUX and HT, implying selecting a fixed or unity gain. Another case is a dedicated input for HT, implying a true pass through. I have seen both of these scenarios on preamps and integrated amps. I actually have an integrated amp with the HT dedicated input, and the manual states it is a direct connection to the power amp, therefore a true “HT bypass”.

Jpg1975, after doing some research for a hybrid integrated with “HT bypass”, I could not find anything for your budget. So, here’s another idea. As we discussed in your other thread, you will also need a DAC. How using the Jolida FX Tube DAC with a nice SS integrated amp?

I have done some reading on integrateds and some do have HT bypass that goes to the internal amps. There is a distinction that some companies make between a unity gain circuit, which passes through the pre-amp to the amp section but has a fixed gain of 1 and a home theater bypass, which is just a direct path to the amp section of the integrated, bypassing the pre-amp section of the integrated completely. (Some have what I am used to - a home theater bypass that passes the signal to a separate external amp, but that is another issue.)

However, I am not sure there are any under $2K hybrids with either type of HT input. I think the $4K Peachtree has that function, but is out of your price range. It also uses a tube buffer rather than an active tube preamp.

David12 - I have a Pathos Classic One hybrid, but I am pretty sure it does not have any sort of HT bypass.

PrimaLuna has a pure tube integrated (Dialogue One) with a direct pass through to the amps. But it is pure tubes, not hybrid. Nice unit, however.

On the pure SS side, Naim is often matched with Totem. The Sttaf would work well with the Naim Nat 5i2 which does have a unity gain input. Don't worry about the 50 watt output. It drives the Sttaf well.

Good luck.

Thanks for the recommendations Dtc, I will look these all up.