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Home Theater Bypass , why am I hearing this now.

I have a Home Theater and when I upgraded my Onkyo to a Marantz it was a true Upgrade I was impressed, anyway like any other hobby I wanted to make improvements on top of what I just gained. The more I read the more I realize AVR HT receivers will never get you a tru HIFI experience because of the processing that takes place and a dedicated 2 ch is the only way to go ask Millercarbon he will surly be all over this one. I only have one room in my house that doubles as a home theater and listening room. I was ready to pick up a Prisma NP5 streamer (to move to my rack and network ) and a Denafrips ares Dac thinking I would get an upgrade to my source that is Tidal over my phone over the air currently( anything is better than this method). Im wondering if its a waste of time and money since I plan on using it with my AVR, then I stumbled onto guys talking about HT bypass for this reason. I haven't read or herd HT bypass yet on this Forum and wanted to know what you all thought, at some point i wanted to get a 8k marantz Processor and dedicated Amp but before I drop $7k I want to make sure I figure out this HT bypass because I want better High Rez audio from my HT system. 
ngiordano

Showing 7 responses by maxwave

maxwave's avatar
maxwave
925 posts
 
HT processor/receiver  is for sound effects  (movies)
Two channels gears  are  for sound ecstasy (music)

In a lifetime , I may listen a thousand time , an album .
I will not watch a thousand time the same movie.

maxwave's avatar
maxwave
925 posts
 
On teather bypass, there is two possibilities :
Preamplifier with a HT bypass . An dedicated amplifier is needed.
Integrated amplifier with a HT bypass.
You will need highend cables ( power cords , interconnects )

And if you are the only one who will listen to 2 channels music,
a very good headphone amp. with a very good headphones might
be the best solution for high resolution listening. Nothing else.
maxwave's avatar
maxwave
925 posts
 
@auxinput should be the right member to give an opinion.

I think , most of HT processors will add ´´ coloration ´´ in 2 channels
mode. And this is not what you want.
A integrated amp. with HT bypass , will be more neutral . IMO  . 
 On  the other hand , HT processors have ´´ auto room correction ´´ that may be good in a multi purpose room .

maxwave's avatar
maxwave
925 posts
 
It is a complex topic.
Are you a ´´ music lover ´´  or a ´´ movie lover ´´  ?
If you are 25% two channels  listening and 75% video watching  ; do not bother.

Even if HT processors , are not made for 2 channels music listening,
some people will be satisfied . And there are HT processors that are better at 2 channels listening
than others.

There are speakers that are better for music listening and speakers
that are better fo movie listening.
Same thing for amplifiers.


maxwave's avatar
maxwave
925 posts
 
@auxinput
I knew your were the right guy :-)

By coloration , I included the averadge quality electrical isolation and vibration control of a HT processor compared to highend integrated amplifier or preamp with HT bypass.
There may be a difference in these matters between a 10k HT processor and a 10k integrated amplifier or preamp.
When using analog inputs of a HT processor , the DAC of the HT processor will not be used.
The sound quality will depend on the other components of the HT processor

But I have been wrong before ……
maxwave's avatar
maxwave
925 posts
 
My system

HT processor :  Acurus ACT4  20  channels ( 2 channels mode  sounds good )
Power amp. McIntosh MC8207 ,   ATI class D , 
Bed speakers : Monitor Audio Silver 300 , Focal CC1008be
Atmos speakers  : Kef , PSB .
integrated with HT bypass : Soulution 330 INT
front speakers  : Audiovector R6 Arreté
DAC Streamer :Lumin X1
Cables : XLO , Furutech , Nordost, Puritan 

Power conditionner : PI Audio Uberbuss

So  integtated amp. with HT bypass for  two channels listening

What is your budget?
It is easy to get mad with this hobby…

maxwave's avatar
maxwave
925 posts
 
@mikekollar

 Yes. This is what I have done.
With an integrated amplifier , a Processor , Power amplifiers.
No compromises , perfect integration. But it is expensive.

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