What is the Current Guidance on Stereo and AV Configurations

@kaizen28 

Pynkfloydd, yup, I'm using ARC into the NAIM today and that's my preferred choice moving forward. It's why the Prisma caught my eye. As for speakers, yes, we're open to upgrading them in time. Blade 2s are very, very pretty. 😏

I've had great results with a pair of Scansonic MB3.5s connected to a PS Audio BHK 250 into a Yamaha RX-A8.  The Scansonics have a nice low end thump and the ribbon tweeters do really well with a couch (instead of listening chair). 

If I were building a hybrid system again, I'd suggest speakers that have a solid low end and do well with wide listening positions.  Lots of surprising options out there and I've even had good results with a pair of small Dali towers when I lived in a small NYC studio where I couldn't build a full home theater system nor use a near-field setup.  Something to consider is that the bigger AV brands also support wireless speakers, so you can add rear channels without having to run wires. 

I've tried a lot of top end receivers from Marantz, Sony, Yamaha, etc. and would still recommend an external amp to get the most out of your speakers.  I would say that adding in the BHK 250 was a much more noticeable difference than receiver upgrades.  The top Yamaha and Marantz models weren't bad on their own, but I was a bit floored when I connected the amp and realized I had missed a lot of potential from the speakers.

+1 That you need a centre channel....for video, it is the single most important channel...almost all dialog is routed through the centre.

If 2 channel is your priority, as it is for most people here, then just set up your 2 channel as you want it.  You'll need an extra Preamp In connection on your amp or preamp.  I have a second pre-in on my amp.

Buy a nice AV amp with as many channels as you want.  I recommend the Marantz cinema 50 but you may want something nicer or less nice.  Run the preamp out for the front 2 channels to the extra input on your 2 channel system.  Switch to that input and adjust the volume.  presto. 

Jerry

I had the same problem and there is only one proper solution, but like me it may require you to purchase new equipment (AVR and integrated amp) that have the required inputs.

The AVR will need to be able to "pre-out" the front channels separately and the integrated (or preamp) must have a "home theatre bypass".

Once setup this will allow the AVR to use the integrated to power the front channels, while still allowing you to use the speakers in a two channel setup.

In my setup the only connection between the "home theatre" and my two channel setup is one interconnect cable.

If you need to find an amp with HT bypass, this site will help.

I had absolutely zero idea bout HT Bypass. Does the AVR power the center channel?