Best combination of HT and sound

recently learned about how to integrate a high quality ’front 2 channel audio system’ and an AVR Receiver

1. AVR needs Front Pre Outs (go to the higher quality 2 channel front system)

2. Front System needs HT BYPASS Input.

Music, front system only needed, high quality sound

Video: AVR sends front signals to front system's amp, uses AVR's amps for center and surround speakers.

Video: AVR controls all volume, including the front pre-outs, so volume balance after calibration is maintained

It's going to be a challenge to find a HT processor or receiver that includes a phono preamp.  This went out of style a long time ago.  You might find one or two items, but they may be extremely expensive.  For example, the McIntosh processors usually come with a "MM" moving magnet phono input.

Otherwise, if you do a hybrid system like elliotbnewcombjr described, you can definitely find a preamp that includes a phono input.

The Schiit Mani provides MM & MC and may be as good as what you’d find in most processors. It’s small enough to fit nearly anywhere, and at $129 not a lot to lose if you don’t like it.

I use a hybrid setup comprised of Ayre preamp and Bryston processor.  Both stereo and surround sound are excellent.

here’s a 2 channel with phono and HT Bypass (new or factory recertified available)

https://www.peachtreeaudio.com/collections/recertified/products/nova300ge-recertified

It will drive front L and front R always, 2 ch or video’s fl & fr.

Run the TT to/fm the front stereo system, not the AVR
.............................................

Then any decent AVR with Front Pre-Out ( it’s hit or miss which have Front Preout)


Most cost toooooo much, I found this Yamaha, there must be others
(just look at the back: pre-out panel, must have 'front' rca jacks out usually near sub pre-out (not zone 2).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QQ6Q7KF/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A3LJ2FXZPL0RZH&psc=1

then AVR’s main job is to drive a good sounding wide dispersion center channel speaker, and the limited frequency range surrounds.

I used this very compact Bose Center for many years (even behind a CRT in a wall unit with receding doors).

https://www.amazon.com/Bose-Channel-Speaker-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00005T3NH

just went for Klipsch, bigger wider center, horns, no rear port (very efficient, I needed to cut it’s input signal strength -2.5db via AVR setup) thus not much power is needed

https://d2um2qdswy1tb0.cloudfront.net/product-specsheets/R-34C_Spec-Sheet_v01.pdf

Of course you need an AVR with an HDMI with ARC Audio Return Channel to/fm the TV
It sends video and it receives audio, needed when you stream via the Smart TV to get the sound to the AVR, other equip sends audio to the AVR and the AVR then sends the video to the TV all the same HDMI ARC cable.

also went for Klipsch small horn for surrounds, again, not much power needed

https://d2um2qdswy1tb0.cloudfront.net/product-specsheets/R-41M_Spec-Sheet_v01.pdf

I taped up the rear ports and put them on their backs firing up behind the sofa.

A lot of excellent suggestions here. I'm leaning towards  elliottbnewcombjr2 suggestion of using a two channel amp for the fronts and let the AVR take care of the rest. Looking at the Denon 2700 and use the pre-outs to drive my front speakers from a separate 2-channel amp. It has MM phono and I believe Atmos. What do you suggest as a 2-channel amp to drive my fronts for music. The S-2700 has 95w of power so I don't think I need more than that, especially if I choose the Klipsch to replace my paradigms. Any other suggestions for low profile speakers that are bot efficient for 2-channel and can handle HT movies?