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Home Theater Bypass , why am I hearing this now.

I have a Home Theater and when I upgraded my Onkyo to a Marantz it was a true Upgrade I was impressed, anyway like any other hobby I wanted to make improvements on top of what I just gained. The more I read the more I realize AVR HT receivers will never get you a tru HIFI experience because of the processing that takes place and a dedicated 2 ch is the only way to go ask Millercarbon he will surly be all over this one. I only have one room in my house that doubles as a home theater and listening room. I was ready to pick up a Prisma NP5 streamer (to move to my rack and network ) and a Denafrips ares Dac thinking I would get an upgrade to my source that is Tidal over my phone over the air currently( anything is better than this method). Im wondering if its a waste of time and money since I plan on using it with my AVR, then I stumbled onto guys talking about HT bypass for this reason. I haven't read or herd HT bypass yet on this Forum and wanted to know what you all thought, at some point i wanted to get a 8k marantz Processor and dedicated Amp but before I drop $7k I want to make sure I figure out this HT bypass because I want better High Rez audio from my HT system. 
ngiordano
maxwave's avatar
maxwave
1,036 posts
 
It is a complex topic.
Are you a ´´ music lover ´´  or a ´´ movie lover ´´  ?
If you are 25% two channels  listening and 75% video watching  ; do not bother.

Even if HT processors , are not made for 2 channels music listening,
some people will be satisfied . And there are HT processors that are better at 2 channels listening
than others.

There are speakers that are better for music listening and speakers
that are better fo movie listening.
Same thing for amplifiers.


maxwave's avatar
maxwave
1,036 posts
 
On teather bypass, there is two possibilities :
Preamplifier with a HT bypass . An dedicated amplifier is needed.
Integrated amplifier with a HT bypass.
You will need highend cables ( power cords , interconnects )

And if you are the only one who will listen to 2 channels music,
a very good headphone amp. with a very good headphones might
be the best solution for high resolution listening. Nothing else.
ngiordano OP
55 posts
 
I think I’m like allot of people , I want my system to do both , it has to. Would getting the stand alone streamer and a stand alone DAC make a big difference in an HT for music or would those upgrades only be worthy of being audible in a 2 ch setup ?
maxwave's avatar
maxwave
1,036 posts
 
@auxinput should be the right member to give an opinion.

I think , most of HT processors will add ´´ coloration ´´ in 2 channels
mode. And this is not what you want.
A integrated amp. with HT bypass , will be more neutral . IMO  . 
 On  the other hand , HT processors have ´´ auto room correction ´´ that may be good in a multi purpose room .

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