I would like to upgrade 2 channel music listening to my home theater and was wondering if anyone had experience with home theater bypass stereo preamps. Specifically, I upgraded my front speakers to Focal Electra 1038 BE (I also upgraded my center and surrounds to Focal Electra) and I wanted to try to get better sound for 2 channel music by adding 2 channel amp and preamp. I am interested in something like the Anthem STR power amplifier, but other 2 channel or dual monoblock amps in a similar price range are considerations. I am also planning on going with separates for my home theater. So, my question would be whether or not there is a sizeable difference for music listening by going with for example the Anthem STR preamp/amp configuration with home theater bypass versus just buying a multichannel AV pre/pro like the Marantz AV 8805 and using it in stereo mode for music with separate 2 channel amp for front speakers combined with a less powerful 5 channel amp for the remaining speakers. Ultimately, I would like to get nice sound quality for a 2.2 setup for music and have it blend well with my home theater equipment. Mostly I would be listening to digital music via streaming services like Amazon music HD or music from a computer hard drive.
All the switching and complexity will create problems and likely a downgrade. I think you are wise to avoid a receiver though. I'm convinced pre/pros are inherently more reliable. As preamps for analog and digital sources, I think they are as good, or better, than any stand alone preamp in this digital age.
Then you can choose power amps of your choice.
This whole idea that you need separate systems for AV and music only is a total myth and bogus nonsense.
I will say one thing though that I have a very low opinion of the power amps in receivers, now more than ever. Almost all of them do not spec. lower than 6 ohms. You can tell by the specs, they are struggling at six ohms. Since the vast majority of speakers are actually 4 ohm in a major portion of the power band, then in fact receivers now are just not fit for purpose, if indeed they ever were. Now we are in the Atmos era, they absolutely need to go on the ash bin of history.
Finally so much good music how has video. Opera especially, and organizations like the BPO over fantastic high quality AV streams. So if you have a downgrade in audio when you have a picture, then your system is just plain bad and no good.
I use a Marantz 7705 and can recommend it in
my 11.2.4 system. The rig sounds superb on all sources. I also use older Marantz pre pros
in a 2.2 and
a 3.1 system. They are absolutely fine. I have linked them for you and measurements are included which should reassure you about what I have said above.
Picture showing Marantz AV 7705.
The AV room amp case.
