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Should I Use an AVR for 2-Channel Home Theater

This is a very basic question that I’ve never been sure of. If I want a decent set of speakers to use with TV (DVR, DVD) but don’t need multichannel and don’t need video switching, what are the pros and cons of an AVR vs. a 2-channel integrated amp or receiver? Obviously with an AVR I am paying for 3 or 5 extra channels of amplification and for a bunch of switching I don’t need, but maybe it’s worth it for other reasons.

A few things I can think of that may be factors: (1) better to use the DAC in the AVR (or integrated, as some have them now) vs. the ones in the TiVo or DVD player (unless it’s a high-end DVD); (2) downmixing multichannel and Dolby stuff – should that be done in an AVR or can I let the source devices handle it?; (3) adjusting for audio-video lag; (4) potential to add a subwoofer that taps the .1 LFE channel.

What do you think?
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Showing 2 responses by meiwan

meiwan
399 posts
 
A 2 channel integrated amp will always sound far better for the same money. Only catch is you will need a dac as well. Perhaps you can look into some of the 2 channel integrated amps with built in dac.

Forget the av receivers if you plan to do 2 channel only.
meiwan
399 posts
 
All source components will downmix multichannel to PCM. The earlier the better in the chain. Both my blueray player and cable box do a great job, allowing me to output the digital signal via coax or toslink.

Sub management, if you need it, is best done on the sub, which has assorted controls for that purpose.

DAC quality varies a lot within all components, AVRs included. Any source DAC will likely equal an AVR DAC. If you want a good one, look to an outboard dac, unless you are considering the higher end integrated amps, such as from Moon or Bryston.
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