AV Pre/Processor vs 2 Channel Pre-Amp - Sound Quality

Thanks Eric and Soix.

Soix you were helping me on my other similar thread, but then I got curious how much of a sound difference there would be.

As you know, for my basement theater I just bought a current model Marantz processor and Anthem 7 channel amp. 

For the upstairs TV where I have just a 2.1 system but with my nice Monitor Golds I want to listen to music too. As you may recall I have a Pioneer Elite receiver and am thinking about buying an atoll 2 channel amp. I had gone back and forth between a 2 and 5 channel to biamp remember?

So this thread picks up where the other left off. Do I upgrade my pioneer receiver to another Marantz Processor, or do I keep the pioneer and buy a preamp to o between the Pioneer Elite and 2 channel amp. 

Again, for anybody else reading this, I DO NOT want an integrated amp because I have not found an Integrated Amp with HT Bypass that also has bass control. If I buy a preamp with ht Bypass like the Atoll, I could connect that to my Pioneer Receiver. Then I connect the atoll preamp to my subwoofer and use the dial on it for bass management. Why do I need bass management you may be asking? Because I run a 2.1 system and I don’t want the full signal going to my bookshelves because thy distort. Then I would connect my amp to my subwoofer high level outs, and finall to my bookshelf. 

If the Atoll preamp is not going to sound any better than buying another Marantz AV Processor, then I will simply replace the Pioneer Elite with another Marantz 7704 l. 

Wow this is some awesome stuff here!  I will address each one as time goes on.

Glen, I see what you are saying. Now will the anthem integrated allow for my Tivo and BD player to connect for cable and movies? This sounds like a sweet option. 

Soix, I have a Monitor Audio 12” Silver Series Sub. I use a Sony BD player for movies right now, soon to be PS4 Slim, and music I have a hard drive with Apple lossless connected to my Netgear Nighthawk router.

Caphill, Great suggestion. I will check this out too and get back to you. 

Auxinput, I’m SO glad you taught me this!

That Classe Sigma 2200i is exactly what I need, but what are options at half the price? Lol

I will dig into the Parasound chat a little more and see what you all are talking about. 

Djones - I don’t have my 2 channel yet. If an integrated amp took the place of my receiver and a preamp, and would still play audio inputs for my movies, then I would go for something like that most likely. 

If I want to hook up something to my current AV receiver it looks like the Parasound Hint6 is the way to go.

Correct, I would prefer to replace the receiver with something like the Classe or Parasound Hint6 which have hdmi inputs for video as well. The previous version of the Parasound integrated does not have hdmi inputs, so I would have to use it with my receiver.

From what I have read, Classe is really good at setting up their equipment with 2 channel listeners in mind. They also seem to get it that some people like a 2.1 system. It looks like Parasound is catching on with the HINT.

The only DAC I have right now is in my receiver. 

The only negative I see for me with the Classe is the class D. Don’t they sound a bit closed like my current receiver?

Finally, I think I missed a response, maybe from Soix, about connecting something to my subwoofer. I have ditched the subwoofer as bass management Idea in light of what Aux told me I think. 

Oops I was mixing up the Parasound with the Lyngdorf. It looks like Parasound doesn’t have an HDMI AV solution. 

Thats good to know about the Classe sound character!

They are super hard to locate, especially used.

Maybe I will just have to wait.

So it appears that the hdmi module is an option on the 2170 and is not on all models. 

Also, in reviewing the 2170, I found an even lower cost option that appears to have very good reviews with the same options, the ARCAM SR250!