list of preamps/integrated amps with bypass function

[dekaliber]

Is there a list anywhere of preamps or integrated amps with a home theater bypass, theater throughput, unity gain, fixed input, or whatever they call it that allows you to not have to mess with 2 volume controls for watching movies? I just picked up a set of Synchrony Ones and will be completing the setup with Two Bs and a Two C for home theater, but I'd like to keep my 2 channel listening pure. (Caveat: there's a very good chance I'll be happy with using my A/V receiver's pre-out to a decent amp, but I'm doing my homework early so I can get an idea of what other options are out there.)

So far I've identified:

Cambridge Audio Azur 740A/840A (integrated)
Parasound 2100 (preamp)
Bel Canto S300i (integrated)
Musical Fidelity A5 (integrated)
NAD M3 (integrated)
Krell KAV400XI (integrated)

Any others? I'd like to keep near or under the $1500 threshold (preamp+amp or integrated) if possible, and, taking that into consideration, the last 4 on that list don't fit the bill.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I believe the Emotiva Preamp also has HT bypass.

I know my old Acurus RL11 also has HT bypass loop (Tape 1).

 

[dekaliber]

I believe the Emotiva Preamp also has HT bypass.

I know my old Acurus RL11 also has HT bypass loop (Tape 1).

I checked the Emotiva manual and it doesn't appear there is a bypass function. Unless I missed something...the closest thing I found was a "direct" mode that bypasses the tone controls and processing:

Direct Button
Push to bypass all of the preamp functions of the RSP-1 including the external processor loop and bass/treble controls. The DIRECT LED will illuminate when this feature is engaged. This feature is also available via remote.

 

[cubbie5150]

The new Cambridge Audio Azur 840E preamp has HT bypass, I believe...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I checked the Emotiva manual and it doesn't appear there is a bypass function. Unless I missed something...the closest thing I found was a "direct" mode that bypasses the tone controls and processing:

"External Processor Button - Push to switch to the External Processor input/output. When connected to the EXT PROC inputs and outputs, this will enable signal processing of the current input selection to pass through the processor loop. The EXT PROC LED will illuminate when this feature is engaged. This feature is also available via remote."

"External Processor Loop - An external processor can be added to RSP-1 for signal enhancement. This would commonly be an EQ, but can really be anything that processes 2-channel signal."

"Please note - the external processor loop is unaffected by the Bass, Treble, and Balance controls of the RSP-1. Use caution when boosting any signal processor levels so you can avoid unnecessary distortion."

http://www.emotiva.com/manuals2/Emotiva RSP-1 Manual_for Web_v1pt21.pdf

So basically you could feed the Front L+R line from the Pre-Pro to the L+R Ext Processor Loop Input, then to the Amp. That's how I view it.

 

[dekaliber]

"External Processor Button - Push to switch to the External Processor input/output. When connected to the EXT PROC inputs and outputs, this will enable signal processing of the current input selection to pass through the processor loop. The EXT PROC LED will illuminate when this feature is engaged. This feature is also available via remote."

"External Processor Loop - An external processor can be added to RSP-1 for signal enhancement. This would commonly be an EQ, but can really be anything that processes 2-channel signal."

"Please note - the external processor loop is unaffected by the Bass, Treble, and Balance controls of the RSP-1. Use caution when boosting any signal processor levels so you can avoid unnecessary distortion."

http://www.emotiva.com/manuals2/Emotiva RSP-1 Manual_for Web_v1pt21.pdf

So basically you could feed the Front L+R line from the Pre-Pro to the L+R Ext Processor Loop Input, then to the Amp. That's how I view it.

Hmm, but wouldn't the volume knob on the Emotiva still work?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hmm, but wouldn't the volume knob on the Emotiva still work?

I think the volume on the Emo Preamp should work, but you could call Emotiva and ask.

Audioholics did a review on this preamp and praised the heck out of it. You might want to read the review.

 

[dekaliber]

Found a few more:

Arcam A90
Ayre AX-7
Boulder 865 Integrated (megabucks)

All pretty expensive...

 

[dekaliber]

I think the volume on the Emo Preamp should work, but you could call Emotiva and ask.

Audioholics did a review on this preamp and praised the heck out of it. You might want to read the review.

Well, the goal would be the bypass the volume control on the preamp to use just the volume control on the HT receiver... I'll call and check.

I've read the Secrets review of the Emotiva separates and am definitely interested, especially given the price. Looks like they're coming out with the RSP-2 soon...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, the goal would be the bypass the volume control on the preamp to use just the volume control on the HT receiver... I'll call and check.

Oh, yeah, hee***hee

You're right. That would make better sense to use the volume and everything on the processor and just BYPASS everything on the preamp.

 

[pearsall001]

Two that I had in the past:

Conrad Johnson PV14LS
Krell KAV 250p

They both sounded great & the HT function really works out well.

 

[FatStrat85]

Oh, yeah, hee***hee

You're right. That would make better sense to use the volume and everything on the processor and just BYPASS everything on the preamp.

You can set a lot of universal remotes to have the volume control connect to a different component, like a preamp. I do this with my cable box and receiver. I set the the cable box to have a fixed digital output (in other words, no volume control) and then I set my cable box remote's volume control to control the receiver volume. This way, when watching TV, I can use one remote for everything. It's very convenient.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I guess you can add the Denon PMA2000IVR Integrated Amp to the list. The AUX2/AMP Source can be used for this purpose. It bypasses the volume, tones, and balance of the PMA2000.

 

[Steve.]

The McCormack RLD 1 is an excellent preamp with HT bypass. It is a great sounding stereo preamp. One of it's best attributes is it's volume and balance controls. They are in 0.5 dB steps from the front panel and remote.

I've owned a number of preamps and this is the first one that has not left me wanting to upgrade, it gets out of the way and allows you to listen to music rather than dissect it's performance.

Another nice feature is that it's display goes completely dark except for two LEDs when in the unit is in HT Bypass mode.

It has a tape monitor, optional phono card, and two pairs of pre-outs.

 

[Karl Erik]

Is there a list anywhere of preamps or integrated amps with a home theater bypass, theater throughput, unity gain, fixed input, or whatever they call it that allows you to not have to mess with 2 volume controls for watching movies? I just picked up a set of Synchrony Ones and will be completing the setup with Two Bs and a Two C for home theater, but I'd like to keep my 2 channel listening pure. (Caveat: there's a very good chance I'll be happy with using my A/V receiver's pre-out to a decent amp, but I'm doing my homework early so I can get an idea of what other options are out there.)

So far I've identified:

Cambridge Audio Azur 740A/840A (integrated)
Parasound 2100 (preamp)
Bel Canto S300i (integrated)
Musical Fidelity A5 (integrated)
NAD M3 (integrated)
Krell KAV400XI (integrated)

Any others? I'd like to keep near or under the $1500 threshold (preamp+amp or integrated) if possible, and, taking that into consideration, the last 4 on that list don't fit the bill.

There is a list of integrated amps and preamps with processor input at audiophile.no

Regards