Agree with @islandmandan
You can have both, and can combine and also completely separate 2 channel from a HT set-up with the right equipment. I do. Granted, I concentrate much much more on my 2 channel quality than the ‘wiz bang’ HT technology and tricks, so that’s just there to do it’s job when called upon when watching TV in my dual purpose living room.
Don’t believe those who say you can only do one, or the other. You can do both. For ease of integration though, a 2 channel pre or integrated with HT bypass makes things much easier, but in that respect, can be a limiting factor. Does not mean you cannot get pretty great sound though.
