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2.2 Channel System Processor Suggestions

Currently setting up a 2.2 channel system that I will be using for my home theater (have no plans of adding more speakers). I have a pair of ML ESL9's, a NAD m22 power amp as well as two ML 1100X subs and want to use balance connects for all equipment. 
My question is, do I need to buy a Pre/Pro, like the NAD m17 or Anthem AVM60, or is there a scaled down piece of equipment that would work just as well? Most Pre/Pro's have 11 or 13 channels, which is obviously overkill, but I still need something that can support 4k HDMI, has balanced outputs, and would prefer a good room correction software, like Dirac or ARC.
jimmy225
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
My system is pure audiophile stereo with a 9 foot screen for the best movie sound I ever heard. Well the 5 sub distributed bass array does help a bit.

Anyway, what I do is send the video straight from the source to the projector via HDMI, and the sound separately via RCA to my integrated amp. That's it. KISS. 

You will not get anywhere near this with anything multichannel. Anything. No matter how much money you have to throw at it. Bring one home and compare side by side, you will see.
big_greg
6,634 posts
 
If you're going to do straight two channel you'd be better off with a high quality two channel pre-amp.  If it has at least two sets of outs you can run your mains off one set and the two subs off the other set.  Connect video directly from your movie source(s) (disc player, Roku, etc.) to your tv or projector and use the analog audio outs to the pre-amp.   

You won't have all the room correction stuff, but you probably won't miss it with only two channels, especially if you add a couple more subs.  You'll be sending the 4K signal directly to your display device instead of routing it through something else.

If you insist on having a home theater device in the mix, get a preamp with home theater bypass so you don't have the home theater processor degrading sound when you're using the system for music.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Like everyone else said, a 2-channel preamp will usually have the better sound.  If you wanted a HT pre/pro, two items come to mind:

Bryston SP3 - no room correction or EQ however

Krell Foundation
jimmy225 OP
14 posts
 
Some people have mentioned sending the sound separately to a preamp, or integrated amp, and simply connecting all video equipment straight to the tv. My next question would be, how do I send the signal from the tv to the preamp? It looks like my only two options would be RCA or Fiber Optical. Would that degrade the sound compared to using HMDI?
big_greg
6,634 posts
 
You don't want to send the audio from the TV to the preamp.  Connect the audio from your playback device(s) directly to your preamp.  If your bluray player has analog (RCA) outputs, connect those to the preamp and send the video to the TV through an HDMI cable.  Make sense?  Not all bluray players will have analog outs, but most higher end ones will.  My Oppo 4K player and my Roku both have RCA outs.
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