Dumb question HT bypass

Not sure if any AVRs have balanced pre-outs, but I use XLR cables from processor to preamp. Setup works just as Reuben describes. Source is either balanced stereo direct to preamp or HDMI to processor that sends balanced front LR to preamp.

As I understand it, if you send HDMI to a processor or AVR that sends front LR to the by-pass input of a preamp, you're relying on the DAC in the processor, so it better be good.  I use a Bryston SP3, and its DAC appears to be very good.

fuzztone, I think you had the answer in the post by reubent immediately following your original post. The sound quality of the front LR will depend on the quality of the DAC in the AVR. I doubt your contention that most who have an AVR also have a preamp (and presumably an amp) for stereo, but maybe so.

Why scold maxwave? I don’t understand the point of your penultimate paragraph, and if your ultimate paragraph is true why the OP in the first place?

The setup outlined by reubent works well. I use a processor and XLR cables rather than an AVR and RCA cables, but the principle is the same.