Need multi-channel that's great on 2 channel

I always argue that there are (at least) two different answers to this question, depending on the answer to two questions regarding your listening practices:

1) Do you use your subs for two channel listening?
2) Is your source material exclusively digital?

If the answer to both of the above is "yes", IME you're best off with a great sounding AVR/pre-pro for 2 channel music listening. There's no ADC to consider and IMHO sub integration in the digital domain usually gets much better results than analog bass management. In this case, IMHO you should look for the best room correction/bass management software. I prefer Audyssey XT 32 pro, but many others like Anthem ARC, Meridien, etc.

If the answer to either (or both) of the questions is "no", you might want to think about the 2 channel preamp with pass thru as recommended by Jmcgrogan.

Marty

Jeff, just in case you are not aware, you can use the extra channels to your front speakers for biamping on the Arcam 600.

There are so many different ways to go Jeff. Since we don't know budget, I'll assume up to 5K, the price of an Arcam 600.

Here are just a few solid state preamp/power amp combos you can look at starting in price low to high. All the preamps have HT Bypass and will provide plenty of power to drive your B&W 805's. I am sure others can give their recommendations too:

Parasound 2100/Parasound 2250
Parasound HALO P5/A21
Atoll PR100SE/AM200
Primare PRE30/A30.2

Interested in tubes? Look at the Rogue Audio Perseus preamp and couple it with a Rogue Stereo 90 power amp or Rogue M150 mono blocks.

Want to bi-amp? Since you like Arcam, you can also consider their A38 integrated (has HT bypass) and a P38 Power amp.

Finally, don't forget a wide variety of integrated amps with HT Bypass that will do the same as the above combos but with only one box. Some good ones that come to mind are the Marantz Reference PM15S2 and the PM11S3, Creek Destiny 2 and the Music Fidelity M6i.

All above combos and integrateds should be well below the cost of an Arcam 600 with the exception of the Rogue tube mono-blocks that would be about $5500 for preamp and amps.

Good luck and have fun!

Thank you.....great advice. I will take it seriously.....
Jeff

I run a Dared DV-6C multichannel analogue integrated amp. It is a Hybrid Integrated tube pre/ solid state 65x6. It's quality way surpassed my Parasound HCA 2205AT 220x5 power amp and my Onkyo Pro SC-885 prep processor priced at $4500 list. The Dared was $425 shipped to my door. A no-brainer...Sounds excellent for movies and music. ..Check it out.....