Combining home theater with two channel


I have a 7 channel home theater system. In my system, I have Marantz 7706pre amp, Emotiva XPA-Differential 3 channel(450 wpc) driving my golden ear R1s and center channel, XPA-4 (275 wpc) driving surround speakers. When I switch to 2 channel to play music, I’m just not impressed with the emotiva.
My dealer suggested that I add an integrated amp to the system to play music.  The krell K-300i. I just have a hard time understanding how can a 150 wpc amp pack more of a punch than a 450watt amp. 
peytoni

Showing 2 responses by scottscottsdale

I know it sounds like hokum but it is not.  For me, full HT is less important than sound quality.  So I am going the two channel route for TV and movie streaming.   I find that it is more than adequate for HT duties. But now music streaming is so much better.   

I have a NAD C368 and Bluesound node 2i streaming Tidal MQA. I have a PS Audio S300 power amplifier that had been in use with the AVR. Speakers are Revel Performa F206.

The TV source is Apple 4k via HDMI and then audio out to the NAD via optical out.  It works very well in my small listening room.  The room is filled with the HT sound. 
It took me the best part of Covid to come to the realization that I needed to shift my point of view. I am sure you can work something out with your deal so that you can demo the preamp/integrated in your house. 

And while you are laying around you can always have some fun and try switching to a two channel set up. You would have everything you would need.

It is a paradigm shift but is well worth trying out to see if it might be an option. 

Have fun!!
I have been on this same journey. In fact, with Covid etc it has truly saved my life to have something that brings joy.   I switched from a HT mindset to a 2 channel mindset and it has made all the difference in the world.   The two mindsets are totally different. 
My only advice it to get as musical and revealing main speakers as you can afford.  And get a good pre-amp with home theater bypass.