surround processor?

soix, I assume in the setup you describe the AVP is out of the loop for stereo, but its L/R preouts go to by-pass inputs of the preamp for surround. That’s the setup I use. HDMI input to a Bryston SP3, balanced analog from the SP3 to an Ayre preamp. Balanced analog stereo inputs go directly to the preamp, so the SP3 is out of the loop.

Although my setup is all balanced Ayre 5 series with a Bryston SP3 used only for surround, I suspect the SP3 itself would make a fine preamp/processor.

I see no need for separate locations. The Ayre preamp and amp drive a pair of KEF Reference 1s and a pair of Velodyne HGS-15s with an SMS-1 bass manager. The SP3 and amps drive a KEF Reference 204/2C center speaker and four KEF LS50 surrounds. All in one location. I have a third HGS-15 that I plan to hook up to the SP3 for LFE.

Skepticism about mixing 2-channel with multi-channel makes me think it must be imagined that a balanced connection to a preamp input set to by-pass somehow corrupts the preamp when it is used for 2-channel even when the input and the source for that input, i.e., the processor, are both inactive.  Seems like the magical thinking that's all too common in audiophilia.

My point is that one can assemble a 2-channel setup of choice and if that setup includes a preamp with a by-pass input, it can also serve as the front LR for a surround setup without doing harm to stereo performance. I assembled a stereo setup comprised of an Ayre QX-5 Twenty Roon endpoint, Ayre DX-5 DSD disc player, Ayre P-5xe phonostage, Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp, and VX-5 Twenty amp using balanced connections. Only later did I add balanced input from a Bryston SP3 processor. I dispute the contention that just connecting the SP3 to the KX-5 harms stereo quality. I don’t perceive any degradation, and I’ve done a lot of listening in a psychoacoutics lab. To address another objection, if one is inclined to allocate all available funds to a stereo setup, then obviously anything that diverts funds reduces funds available for stereo. I’m not so inclined.