Considering adding a dedicated 2 channel preamp in setup?


I wouldn’t say it’s just a home theater set up because my Marantz 8805 has a nice 2 channel feature and I’m overall very happy with the sound.
My setup consists of:

Marantz 8805 preamp
Parasound A21+ amp
Paradigm Founders 100F speakers
Bluesound Node (2021 model)
SVS SB3000 subwoofers (four of them)
Furman SPR-20
Dedicated 20amp outlets with Audioquest 20amp outlets
some other stuff

But I read a post the other day on here about adding a another preamp to a home theater preamp that HOME THEATER BYPASS. I’ve never heard of this until I read about it and became intrigued with adding this because I am an audiophile first but never thought I could add another preamp like this until the other day.
I’m digging the Parasound P6 but what do you think about recommendations and about how do you think I;l gain anything with using the Parasound P6 instead of the Marantz 8805 for 2 channel music?

Big improvement or minimal but still very good?

todd1010

Showing 6 responses by todd1010

I was thinking about $2k is something I’d spend and the Parasound P6 is well below that. 
jdub ,

I’ve had plenty of home theater pre amps and AV receivers but this thing is dialed in for 2 channel listening and agree with you. It was one of the main reasons I purchased it. 
Hell, I don’t even use near;t any of the channels which I think it’s like thirteen or something crazy. I’m using only a 5.1 setup as I said my main thing is two channel music. 
I have a local dealer and will see about auditioning one or both of them. 
jdub 

I agree I’m pretty happy with the 2 channel settings the 8805 has and that’s why I’m having a hard time figuring out whether the P6 would do anything better than it. 
The JC2 is a lot bigger step up but even then I’d have a hard time thinking it would larger improvement. 
I’m going to see if there’s a dealer near me that has  either the P6 or the JC2. 
avanti1960,

yes I’m considering a preamp with home theater bypass. But I don’t want to side step as I feel the 8805 has a very very good two channel section. 
So I’m thinking I’d have to up it a little to gain much from the 8805. 
jdub,

I spoke to someone about the home theater bypass specifically the Parasound P6 and the JC2. 
My 8805 would still handle the sub woofers like they are now.  So I wouldn’t need anything additional; YAY!

I also use the 8805 calibration on the mains but I limit the calibration to about 250-300hz. 
Can anyone tell me how adding a preamp like the one being discussed will affect my four subwoofers?

Will my 8805 still handle the lower end like it have now? Currently for music I run the crossover for the mains at 60hz. 
This has got me thinking about this setup and as you guys know…you change one thing there’s always something else you have to address.