Hello,
Just like MC I have tried to squeeze every two channel sound out of a surround system by itself. Some stuff helped the sound quite a bit like a better cables. Especially a better power cord. After listening to other systems at friends and stores I knew I needed to do something different. I like the Denon H3600x ($900) or the H3700x ($1100 and does up-to 120hz. In 4K) for the surround sound receiver. It is one of the few SS receivers that you can divert the amps from the front and use them for the surrounds. Then you can look for a two channel option with a decent bypass. Just so you know every time you use one of the amps inside you are probably cutting the watts per channel to all the amps you are using. It’s just plain physics. I use the Emotiva XSP 1 preamp with a Marsh Sound Design amp. It is full linear differential balanced. It even has a built in crossover for the subs. It is great for the $1100 new price tag or $800 used. I bought mine used. This system works great. I tried the Rogue RP7 preamp but it did not work well. It loses 10db when you use the bypass feature due to you are turning the preamp off to use it this way. I will be upgrading to the Ayre 5 series separates but my existing system is so good I am going to keep it for another room after I get my Ayre components which has HT Bypass and works perfect. I know the best sound you can get for 2 channel is not having your HT being connected to your two channel at all. My system sounds really good even though it is all hooked up together. You will have to decide what is important to you. 95% of the time the room is 2 channel only. My music system has gone from Meh to holy &?!@ over the past couple years. I just added the JL Audio CR1 crossover with two F110 subs. After I get the Ayre gear I should be done with the base of the system. Seriously the Emotiva Preamp is worth it all day long. If you want an integrated amp then the Parasound Hint 6 is one of the best values out their and it has a DAC and Subwoofer control on the remote. Except for the Emotiva the rest of the gear in this post can be bought from this store in the Chicagoland area:
https://holmaudio.com/
they have a try before you buy. Right now I am demoing so of the IsoAcoustic gear. This stuff is really amazing. Townshend stuff for isolation is great too. I would like to try that gear too. I hope this helped.
Just like MC I have tried to squeeze every two channel sound out of a surround system by itself. Some stuff helped the sound quite a bit like a better cables. Especially a better power cord. After listening to other systems at friends and stores I knew I needed to do something different. I like the Denon H3600x ($900) or the H3700x ($1100 and does up-to 120hz. In 4K) for the surround sound receiver. It is one of the few SS receivers that you can divert the amps from the front and use them for the surrounds. Then you can look for a two channel option with a decent bypass. Just so you know every time you use one of the amps inside you are probably cutting the watts per channel to all the amps you are using. It’s just plain physics. I use the Emotiva XSP 1 preamp with a Marsh Sound Design amp. It is full linear differential balanced. It even has a built in crossover for the subs. It is great for the $1100 new price tag or $800 used. I bought mine used. This system works great. I tried the Rogue RP7 preamp but it did not work well. It loses 10db when you use the bypass feature due to you are turning the preamp off to use it this way. I will be upgrading to the Ayre 5 series separates but my existing system is so good I am going to keep it for another room after I get my Ayre components which has HT Bypass and works perfect. I know the best sound you can get for 2 channel is not having your HT being connected to your two channel at all. My system sounds really good even though it is all hooked up together. You will have to decide what is important to you. 95% of the time the room is 2 channel only. My music system has gone from Meh to holy &?!@ over the past couple years. I just added the JL Audio CR1 crossover with two F110 subs. After I get the Ayre gear I should be done with the base of the system. Seriously the Emotiva Preamp is worth it all day long. If you want an integrated amp then the Parasound Hint 6 is one of the best values out their and it has a DAC and Subwoofer control on the remote. Except for the Emotiva the rest of the gear in this post can be bought from this store in the Chicagoland area:
https://holmaudio.com/
they have a try before you buy. Right now I am demoing so of the IsoAcoustic gear. This stuff is really amazing. Townshend stuff for isolation is great too. I would like to try that gear too. I hope this helped.