Better 2-channel music

Sorry. I didn't realize that was what you were asking. Its not complicated if you think about it. Just visualize the flow of the signal through the different components.

For stereo, start with the 851C CD player. The signal starts there and goes to the 2 channel preamp, and then to the amp that powers your front L and R speakers. Its a traditional 2 channel setup.

For Theater, start with the Oppo. The signal from the Oppo goes to the HT processor. What's different here is that you can't send signal from your processor to the amp that powers your left and right front speakers because your 2 channel preamp is already connected to it. Instead, you take the signal what would normally go to that amp and you plug the IC's into the the HT bypass input on the 2 channel preamp. Doing it this way allows the 2 preamps to "share" the same poweramp. When you want to listen to music, you just select any input on your 2 channel preamp that has a source connected to it. When you want to watch a movie, you select the HT bypass input in the 2 channel preamp, and that allows the signal from the processor to pass through the 2 channel preamp and on to the amp. Its really just a switch that allows 2 preamps to use the same amp.

Also, you don't have to use one of your sources with just 1 of the preamps. You can connect them to both. An example would be that you would like to connect your Oppo to your theater preamp to play movies and your 2 channel stereo preamp to play SACD's. You would simply run cables from your Oppo to a input on the HT processor for movies, and run cables from the Oppo to an input on the 2 channel pre for music. You can connect all of your sources like this, that way everything will be shared and you won't have to compromise anything. You'll be able to use every feature on every product you have.

That's what I need to know before ordering the Cambridge Audio Azur 851C. Thank you Zd542.

Sorry I made you pull teeth to get it.

Phil,
I'm not sure I would buy an 851 new. A used 850 will sound great. Other things that pop into my head are mainly circling around overkill. If you are doing 2 channel through a Cambridge, an oppo 103 will do just fine for theater and save you a bundle. That's savings #1. Also, if you have a Cambridge and Oppo, there's really not much that you need out of the Marantz, is there? Just 5 channel volume and maybe different modes. The Emotiva mc200 or outlaw will do the same very nicely and do a darn good job of it. Savings #2.
I know that my Emotiva passes a pure audio signal through very clearly without any coloration. (the marantz 7007 may do this too?) So, I'd say both the Cambridge and/or Oppo could run audio direct mode. You won't need a 2 channel pre-amp. Savings #3.
Now that you have saved money, blow the whole load on a really killer multichannel amp. The Emotiva amps are nice and a great value but not in the class of Mac, Classe and some others in the $5k range.

So, where would I start if I were you? Buy a nice 2 channel CD or DAC-Cambridge is awesome. Try this on CD direct on the Marantz. After that, try borrowing pieces. I think you might be surprised where the upgrades will come from after that.

My theater: Emotiva UMC200, Oppo 105, Dishnetwork, Mac 5 channel amp, coincident speakers all around, velodyne sub and a sota table with sumo phono pre for analogue. I also run my laptop with foobar through a music fidelity for streaming. Don't forget nordost cabling and PS Audio conditioners.

I will buy the Cambridge 851C now. It's $1800 but I can keep it for a long time. Hold on the Marantz AV8801 or AV8802 now to try the 851 with my SR7007. Do you think Emotiva XMC-1 is worth the price increase? I can buy now for $2000 with summer sale and e-club. Mac amps are nice but cost 10 times. Emotiva XPA-1s and XPA-5 are only $2500. They deliver enough juice and pretty clean. What dpecific model of PS Audio Conditioner do you recommend? I don't think I can afford Nordost cables. :)