Bi-amp through receiver vs pre out to 2 channel for fronts

Totally agree String.  yes, a very good single amp is best.  If folks want a wonderful integrated that sounds much bigger and better than it's cost, look at the Belles line.  They are making some of the best sounding amps in their respective price ranges.  Heard some at Audio Connection in NJ as Johnny was raving to a few of us about them.  To me, they sound like the old Brown (BEL) Lab amps of years ago in that they actually do outperform their competition in so many important areas.  

I owned that AX7e and now have the AX5/20.  Teh Belles beats the 7e by a country mile and the integrated is only 1800 or so I think and it has much more power and drive than the 7e.  To MY ears, it is just so much better at under 2k that I have all my buddies looking into it.  JMHO adn good luck

Save for an integrated amp that is good. you want something that will push good current and a clean signal.  You can't patch work through a system. That's what keeps AG in business, lol.  It's why folks are always chasing their tails to get what they want and when they don't they get frustrated.  

If you can't afford what you want, it is what it is, but if you can afford an amp, then you can afford an integrated amp.  Even a less expensive NAD or Rotel will be better than the Emotiva's of the world and you can easily sell later on if needed. They will be much better than any AVR.  

if folks want to have AVR and 2 channel in the same system, there will have to be compromises.  That's the reality.  I personally have always enjoyed my TV/movies with a very high end audio system.  Once you start to use digital in a signal it hurts the sound.  That goes for any DAC too and many of us have some great DAC sets ups.  

pass through can be used, but you are still then needing more equipment etc... and it's more room needed and more money.  You have to pick your poison,  No magic bullet no matter what folks may say.  Use your ears and hear for yourself.

Thanks @soix   Guys, there is more to things than a transformer etc... There is no simple post that can tell you WHY AVR's sux (sorry to Anthem and other more expensive ones), but you suck too (hope I didn't step on toes, but I know I will).  As I said, there are a ton of integrated's at various levels to listen to. 

Teh only way to say something sounds better, is to listen wiht your own ears.  I enjoy the NAD and Rotel for the under 1k amps. I feel that they are just great values and I've owned and still own their gear.  Heck, I have an Onix integrated amp that is from 1996 or so I believe.  It doesn't have phono, nor does it have remote, but it's still a GREAT sounding integrated amp. Beats (to my ear) most of the sub 2k integrated amps of today.  Heavy toroidal transformer and high end ALPS pots.  Even the internal, point to point wiring is better than most of what I see today.  

Go listen to the Hegel.  Looks don't mean jack...nada....go listen to an NAD and or Rotel.  I promise you that it's worth listening to the Belles also.http://www.powermodules.com/products/aria-integrated.html this is their sub 2k.  I have heard the Hegel vs the Belles at Audio Connection in Verona NJ and was blown away by the Belles.  It wasn't even close to MY EAR....Craig, you will be chasing your tail and losing money and never happy if you don't audition and just listen to a few of the folks online (that includes me too).  Just saying and I be most would agree.  

AVR's are not serious audio gear.  Even the expensive ones are not as good as a good integrated or separate. They are made to be something for everyone.  Most of the things on them aren't ever used by 90% of the listeners.  Thats' reality.  

There are always work arounds. If you want a theater, then do a theater.  If you want good 2 channel, then do that.  Either way you will be making major compromises at your price point by the way you are talking and you will not be happy overall.  JMHO

sfcfran56 posts08-10-2018 7:11pmI am not a big integrated amp guy. It is my observation that the best audio comes from separate pre-amp and amp combo. In that, you will need to budget for interconnects as well. Not Monster Cable...please don't. … and...don't buy a single dang thing that is coming from China on ebay,,,especially periferals such as cables. Fraud everywhere.

The thing is, integrated amps can be awesome.  You can't make a blanket statement about them.  They are the less expensive way to go in many situations.  He does have a lower budget, so a top integrated is his best option.  This is why I shared the Belles Aria integrated amp.

I've heard most of the contenders in most price ranges and the Belles hits higher above it's price range of 1800 than any of the other's I"ve heard.  If you audition it vs the Parasound line you may agree.  I chose the Belles each time over the Parasound when doing a blind test.  Again, that's my palette, but Parasound makes a good product also.

It's also implementation.  I proudly own an Ayre AX5/20 integrated amp.  The pre on this amp is similar to the pre amp in their reference KXR pre amp. That pre is as good as any pre I've ever heard and again, I've heard many many reference pre's.  Teh other thing when going with a nice integrated amp is that you don't need another hook up. Any hook up will lower the sound quality.  Again, implementation is most important and then it comes down to the interconnect you use.  Hopefully it's a balanced one as that's a better connection than a single ended connection as long as the balanced is a true dual differential balanced connection.

As for Rotel, you like anything else, you need to listen to their top integrated amp.  It really offers a lot for the money, but it's still not as good as a Belles Aria.

All of it depends on what speakers he's using too.  Synergy is most important.  That hasn't even been discussed has it?  I may have missed it.

Craig, when did you get to audition the Atoll?  How did it compare to the affordable NAD?  Did it do something better to YOUR ears than the Belles or the ......  keep adding switches and patches so you lose the performance you are allegedly looking for.  

Many of us have given you great advice as to what to go audition.  You don't seem to really care about doing the true homework and audition, but you are very quick to tell us ever few posts that you have made a decision to purchase something and it changes constantly.  

Sorry, but at first glance it seems like a troll.  I don't think you really are trolling, but you are new and don't know so you made a post.  Many of us who have been around audio for years (since 1969 for me) have given you great advice.  None of us are pushing anything specific, but just because folks who own Monitor Audio speakers are using a specific amp, doesn't mean that's the right one for you.  If you just care about getting an integrated amp with H/T bypass, there are plenty at lower prices for you and all will be better than the AVR route.  

I can almost promise you that you will fall in love with anything you get and within 6 months, you will continue to post that you are looking at other amps, because you will start chasing your tail.  I hope I'm wrong, but I've seen this way too often as have many posters here (two have actually gotten in touch and asked if this thread is for real).  

Maybe you should just take a step back and go listen. Do you live near any dealers?  There is something to be said about having a dealer you can trust to help you put a true system together.  You are new and honestly, don't know how and where to spend your money IF you really want the best sound in YOUR room and not any of our rooms.

Craig, sorry, I came off way to strongly.  I"m sure you can understand why I posted what I did and again, sorry.  I just hate when anyone chases things, especially new folks. YES, you are overwhelmed.  That's the reason I said to go get any of the NAD BEE integrated amps. They are outstanding and much less than 1000 use.  They are always wanted on the used market. I've sold many as I've own many.  I have not dog in the fight, but felt that an inexpensive NAD would be your best place to start since you can upscale from there.  I'm sure your Atoll will be assume and it will be so much better than any of the AVR's. 

congrats.  What did you get to audition?  I bet you had a good time and probably realized how some gear just didn't do it for you, while these pieces did.  Always fun to hear stories from new folks and their surprise when they hear gear and don't just read about it.  :)

The question still remains,  If you have auditioned the amps, which way did it sound best?  Forget manuals etc.., it's all in what the ear says.  I personally always keep my 2 channel system as simple as possible.  Fewer cables and interconnects is best for sooo many reasons.  You seem to feel strongly on going the 5 channel route on your sound though.  I say go for it that's what you want.  

Also please try to keep in mind that cables, like components need to work together in synergy.  Just because you have liked a cable with one system, doesn't mean it's going to work in another. I've found that Audioquest is one of the few cables I've heard (and I've heard many as I audition many systems) that is neutral enough to be used and sound good (because you don't get any sound signature) as I've heard.  Mostly their mid/high to high end ones.  Have never heard a truly balanced cable that's inexpensive, but that's to my ears.   Just get what you want and what your ears have told you to get and then jump off the boards, or you will drive yourself nuts, lol.