Need Amp Advice

Hi Soix,

Thank you for the insight. This is super interesting, pardon my ignorance, but I had no idea that you could have two pre-amps in the same system.
The idea of having a dedicated setup for critical listening really appeals to me.
what I don't get is how this is possible. How can I have two connected pre-amps to the same speakers? The main speakers need to be used for both movies and music, being connected to different pre-amps. Maybe I am getting this wrong but I am very curious about it.
OK, off to check out the Plinius amp you recommended.

Thank you very much.

Killgurt - Have a look at my prior post.  Essentially what you do is integrate a 2 channel stereo preamp that has HT (home theater) bypass functionality.  The way it works is that it would be connected directly to your amp all the time and would operate as any other 2 channel system, but when you're watching movies (5.1, etc.) then your home theater pre/pro would take over duties and pass the front left and right signal through the preamp without any processing.

Assuming you go with Classe then a CP-800 would be an ideal choice.

Greg

It's actually very easy to do.  Obviously the stereo pre would be connected directly to the amp driving the 802s, and your high-end stereo source also gets hooked into the stereo pre as well, just as if it was a normal stereo-only hookup.  The trick is then to use the front L/R preamp outs from the Marantz into the HT bypass or some other unused input (I used to use the aux input) into the stereo preamp.  If the stereo pre has an HT bypass you're pretty much done as it takes the stereo preamp's volume control completely out of the picture so it's basically a pure passthrough.  If it's a normal input I would just set the stereo preamp's volume control to the 12:00 position as an reference level and then balance the multi channel volume levels with the prepro as usual.  With this hookup, when you want to watch HT you just choose the input on the stereo pre that has the output from the front L/R of the prepro, turn the volume on the stereo pre to 12:00 so it goes to the proper preset reference volume level (unnecessary if you have an HT bypass) and you're good to go.  When listening to two channel you obviously just switch to the appropriate input on the stereo pre and you're done (just make sure you lower the volume on the stereo pre when switching back from HT to stereo or you'll have a loud volume blast if you don't have bypass).  Sounds worse than it is -- it's actually very easy to do in practice.  I did this for years until I finally got a dedicated listening room and it was a really great way to go.

I would stress to not underestimate the importance of a really good stereo preamp in a high-end system.  In my experience and opinion it is often overlooked but one of the absolute biggest contributors in the quality of sound you ultimately get (or don't get) from your system, and I think others here would back me up on that.  Again, best of luck. 

Thank you very much Soix, I'll try and build towards that. First I want to get the right amp/s and then add a stereo pre.

<<dealer disclaimer>>
Krell Foundation 4K and Krell Chorus amplifier sound AWESOME.  I'm using them on my really big demo system and they blow me away every time I play anything.  Detail, soundstage, effortlessness, it's hard to find anything they don't do with ease.  :-). Hope you find what you are looking for.