Krell Driving Fronts and HT Amp Driving Cent/Rears


I do not know if this has been discussed before.

I have a Sony processor/power for Home Theater but was trying to get in a Krell integrated to drive the front speakers in bypass mode for 2 reasons:

1) The fronts are rather inefficient speakers which impose a tough load for the Sony

2) The fronts are quality speakers and would sound considerably better in a music-only setup with the Krell.

My question is, would this be an ideal kind of setup in HT with an integrated amp in bypass driving the fronts and AV amp driving the center and rears since the power outputs from the integrated is not similiar to the AV amp? I know it wouldn't matter too much in real world conditions but will a better and more powerful AV amp driving all channels sound better than the former?

Thanks in advance.
ryder
Ryder
I've just had a quick peek at your virtual system and noted your TV is located on the side for normal viewing purposes and only pushed in between the speakers for some real cinematic HT experience? Does that prove to be an arduous task each time you want to pop in a DVD?

It would be a hassle, except I ordered a long HDMI cable from Blue Jeans cable and installed easy roll wheels on the Sony stand. When movies are planned I roll the TV into place and the feed from DirectTV HD still reaches.

That way the whole family can watch broadcast until we agree to begin the movie. Admittedly 2 channel sound takes a temporary hit, but when closing titles roll, the TV rolls too (back to the side wall) :^).
Thanks for the tip Albert. I was not ready to spend a huge amount of money into HT amplification as I share the same belief as yourself. As for now, I think I'll concentrate on maximising the potential of my two-channel. I may have the possibility of splitting up HT from two-channel just to keep things simple after several issues can be addressed successfully.

I've just had a quick peek at your virtual system and noted your TV is located on the side for normal viewing purposes and only pushed in between the speakers for some real cinematic HT experience? Does that prove to be an arduous task each time you want to pop in a DVD? It's apparent your 2-channel is top-notch as even one pair of your Purist interconnects can buy 3-4 pairs(or more) of my speakers. :)
I did a similar thing, I upgraded the tube amps on my front channels and downsized to a cheap transistor integrated for the dialogue and side speakers.

At one time I drove everything with tube amps, including an Atma-Sphere OTL for the dialogue and dual 70 watt stereo amps for the sides (vertical bi-amped).

With both systems I had good HT sound and no doubt It was better with the all tube rig. However, movies are more about sound effects and having fun (in my opinion) and this greatly simplified my life.

Besides, the proceeds from the sale of all that HT tube amplification bought me a new transistor integrated, allowed for an upgrade of my dialogue speaker, and $2700 left over to go toward a second pair of monster tube amps for my two channel :^).

It appears you have a similar goal, you want to push your two channel so you can enjoy music and still have great HT sound without investing in every channel in the system.

There may be some at Audiogon that will disagree, but I think you have a good plan.
If you are not really critical of watching movies I would go for it as is and save the cash, ofcourse it would sound better nut is it really worth it?