The cost is actually surprising, that Rotel 6 channel amp costs $500-$600 on the used market, its less than the receiver!
Marantz pm8006 vs Denon PMA-1700NE for combined home theatre and music room
Hi everyone,
I am looking at how I can combine stereo and surround sound in one AV system so I can switch between music and movies.
I have a Denon x3800h driving a 5.1.4 Atmos setup. I also have another room with some ceiling speakers that I want to drive from this room and will be used only for music.
I was thinking of using the x3800h for my Center Speaker, Surrounds and 4 Height Speakers. I was then thinking of running the fronts via pre-out to another amplifier which has a main-in/HT-bypass to drive the fronts whilst watching movies. If connected via a main-in, it converts the stereo amplifier into a power amp only with the Denon x3800 having full control over volume etc...
When listening to music, I have a Wiim Pro that would connect either direct to the stereo amplifier or via an outboard DAC and drive the fronts and/or a second zone in the other room.
Based on the above requirements I was looking for a stereo amplifier with both a main-in/HT-bypass and supports 2 speakers zones.
Via this very useful site, http://audiophile.no/en/articles-tests-reviews/item/426-amplifiers-with-processor-input I have narrowed my options down to The Marantz PM8006 and the Denon PMA-1700NE.
Does anyone have an opinion on which would be best to provide good sound to my fronts for home theatre as well as good sound for music?
Thanks
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- 37 posts total
I understand your dilemma as I've been through the same though-processing. I understand you already have the Denon. Would it be worth it though, in elegance or simplification, to sell it, if you don't feel it's good enough, and simply get a surround receiver that also plays well in two-channel mode? There are plenty that do so. Cut the number of boxes, cables, complications... |
Been there before and the best solution is to keep HT and two channel completely separated, except for one interconnect between the L/R pre outs of the Denon and the HT bypass inputs of whatever integrated you buy. This assumes that the AVR can output the front left and right channels separately and the integrated amplifier has a HT Bypass option. This site should help. http://www.audiophile.no/en/articles-tests-reviews/item/426-amplifiers-with-processor-input |
- 37 posts total