Emotiva or Anthem or Something Else?

Yes, I stumbled across their Halo Preamp.  It looks like its set up explicitly to address what I am attempting to do.

I also found this list...

@soix I'm looking around to set up a system like you suggested.  There are actually lots of intersting options as well as some deals on what I think are good quality 2 channel integrated amps. For example, there is a Parasound Halo Integrated Amp for sale near me and there are some good deals on Yamaha AS2200's.  I have a question though about getting an Integrated Amp vs just a power amp.  Based on my research as well as our conversation above, it seems like in both HiFi listening mode and HomeTheater Listening Mode you are using the volume knob on the Home Theater Receiver to control the volume that the Front Channel Amp is producing.  If that is the case then what is the point in getting an integrated amp for the HiFi speakers?  Why not get a power amp?  Also, if the volume is being controlled by the Home Theater Receiver then wouldn't that mean that the less than ideal Receiver Pre-Amp is compromising the HiFi Stereo sound quality?

No!!!  When listening to 2-channel audio the AVR is completely out of the signal path.  Your front L/R preouts from the AVR go to an input (or HT Bypass) on the stereo integrated and you choose that input when listening to HT.  You need an integrated or separate pre/amp because you do not want the AVR controlling the volume or in any part of the 2-channel signal chain.  To be clear, for 2-channel listening the AVR is not anywhere in the signal path.  Sorry if I’ve been unclear. 

So I’ve been doing some shopping based on @soix suggestions and here is what I have come up with. Note that my set up will have ceiling mounted front and rear speakers so I need a 4 speaker Atmos system. All of these systems combine a HT with an integrated amp. I’m attempting to stick with the same brand for both because a mix and match systems bother me. (I know its not rational, I’m not perfect). Colors and brand have to match... its just a requirement. I’m a product designer and a very visual person. I see all of the details. Another requirement is that I get a good deal on at least one of the components. I think I can accomplish that (with the exception of the Emotiva pair). I’m shopping online audio retail as well as online classifieds. All of these are between $4000 and $5000. All of these will using a Audiolab 6000N streaming player pulling from Amazon HD Music. I’ll be plugging the 6000N into the Integrated Amp so that for stereo listening the HT Receiver is out of the loop.

Use case is the occasional full home theater movie watching experience and also listening to all types of music at a variety of volumes. I listen to everything from 80’s metal to Opera and Jazz. I want to hear detail in the music and I want the system to be able to respond to what ever the music requires while also give incredible sound stage. I’ve heard enough systems that when you are listneing to them its like the singer is in the room.... or you can almost see (with your ears) the spot where the musician is standing on the stage. I want to try to achieve that.

Here is what I am looking at... will any of these get me there?

Option 1 NAD, T778 AV Receiver, C388 Integrated Amp, C268 Power Amp for the rear atmos. I’m looking at NAD because I have friends that have had NAD systems and I was really impressed with the sound quality. Plus I’m nostalgic for NAD because I used to look at them back at in the 80’s when I was a teen.

Option 2 - Yamaha RX-A2080 HT Receiver, A-S2200 Integrated amp. These are from the Yamaha "Aventage" line and so are supposed to be their good stuff. @soix says that he thinks they have surprising good soundstage. Youtube reviews of some of the Yamaha stuff seems to suggest that the sound is somewhat "neutral" but detailed.

Option 3 - Marantz Cinema 50 HT Receiver, Marantz Mod 30 Integrated Amp. A bit more expensive than the Options 1 and 2. The Cinema 50 is loaded with features and supposedly has been built to have good sound. Added bonus is 4 pre-outs for 4 seperate subwoofers. (yes I have 4 subwoofers). Also, the Mod 30 got a really good review from a youtube reviewer. He claims it sounds as good as his McIntosh and now he compares everything to the Mod 30. Only thing is that its a Class D amp... always thought that my dedicated stereo amp should be Class A or A/B.

Option 4 - Emotiva RMC-1L Processor + XPA-9 Gen3 Amp. This is the most expensive option. I’m concerned that the Emotiva stuff has been built more for a big home theater experience than high quality music listening. The system I buy has to do both. I do like how the Emotive product line has been put together and the RMC-1L has all of the features to make it a great foundation to a system... I just get the impression it’s more intended to be used to watch Marvel movies and don’t watch that kind of stuff.

Option 5 - The budget system. Onkyo TX-RZ50 + Parasound Hint 6 Integrated Amp. This is the least expensive option. I’m also the least excited by it. I bought Onkyo when I was in high school and so I’ve already been there. However the RZ-50 is supposed to offer a very "exciting" HT experience by way of how its very "punchy". Its also not very expensive. I’m not too familiar with Parasound except I know they have been around for a really long time and they are made here in the SF Bay area. The Hint 6 also has HT by-pass mode, which means its been specifically equipped to be attach to a HT system and act as a 2 channel amp which can contribute to a HT session or work on its own to power a stereo listening session. Only issue is that I have no idea how it sounds.

Option X - Is there another option I should look at?

Final thought. I’m getting sick of listening to these systems in these shops because they alway use source material thats probably better than I will have. Its seems like a lot of people are buying these rigs and then evaluating them at home and then potentially returning them or selling them if they are not satisfied. Is that the case?

Kind of a long post... but would love to hear comments if any of you have experience with any of this equipment. The room where this stuff will go is almost done so I’ll be pulling the trigger in the next few weeks.

Option 2 on steroids. You’ll be thrilled. I think you nailed it. Here’s a great deal on a 2080 in case you’re interested…

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa2080bl-rb/yamaha-rx-a2080-9.2-ch-x-140-watts-a/v-receiver/1.html

If it saves you $$$ the Hint 6 or something like this Hegel H190 would also work great…

https://tmraudio.com/components/integrated-amplifiers/hegel-h190-stereo-integrated-amplifier-dac-h-190-d-a-converter-remote/

If it’s me, I wait for an AS2200 or AS1100 to come up on accessories4less.com, but you’ll be THRILLED with any of the above options.  Just take your pick.