Integration of 2 channel into existing hime theater

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Hillbilly HiFi

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I have recently updated my home theatre system. The AVR that I chose is the Yamaha RXA2 Aventage which does boast a lot of the newest technology in terms of 4K and 8K video all of the latest audio and video formats at a modest price of $800 USD. It has Sabre Ess DAC and a built in Phono stage and respectable streaming capability. I use Tidal to stream a lot if my music. All of the conveniences are great however for me I would like to also have a better 2 channel experience. I have considered many options including starting over with a very decent integrated amplifier something along the lines of a Yamaha AS 1200 or 2200, MUSICAL FIDELITY M6SI INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER,DENON PMA-A110 110TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER(this one has a Dac) or even going hyrbrid tube integrated like Prima luna or Rogue, Cambridge etc.



The reason I am curious is I have to share my home theater room and my 2 channel area and I thought that I could concentrate my budget on the best amplification and hopefully Preamplifier with a pair of speakers worthy of the same money spent.

My RXA2 reciever has one preout for the main channel and if connected to a much higher quality integrated and/or component 2 channel system I would have the benefit of the streaming services and even the dac that comes with the Yamaha Without having to find a model that is another all-in-one unit. When using this 2 channel system I plan to mainly use it with my projects essentials 3 turntable with an Ortofon phone 2M blue cartridge. It's not high end but it's mine and it's what I have to work with right now. It's not high end but it's mine and it's what I have to work with right now. I know one benefit would be to have a better high end Photo stage so when choosing the integrated or component route that is going to be of great importance. One last thing that has occurred to me for example the Yamaha AS 1200 has the ability to attach 2 pairs of speakers and that opens up some interesting possibilities. My current home theatre system is very satisfactory it has a pair of paradigm Premier 700 f's for the left and rights and a 500 C centre channel a pair of elec debut 2.0 6.2 's for the surround a pair of old JBL studio monitors for the back channel and a pair of paradigm in ceiling speakers for my atmos channel. I'm very happy with it as it is for what it is. Now the possibility of having a 2 channel system integrated into the same taking advantage of the dac possibly the phono stage and the streaming capabilities of the Yamaha RXA2 I could potentially add 2 different pairs of 2 channel listening speakers to my system hooked up to The a and B outputs of the Yamaha AS 1200. I find this very intriguing. It would be a nice ability to do at AB comparison of different speakers that you rotate into the mix. Or to have a pair of Heresies or Cornwall's On one channel and maybe some tannoy bookshelves on another for a different experience just by turning a switch.



As far as a budget goes I would like to allow up to $4000 for the integrated amplifier or a combination of an amplifier and peeamp and 3 to $4000 for a pair of speakers hopefully with higher sensitivity because I tend to be someone who likes to listen to my music loud. Thoughts comments suggestions clarifications of my ignorance are all welcome and thank you for any input
 
Very interesting thread. With no intention to hijack this thread, I am including my questions as I contemplating something very similar to what the OP wants to do. My home theater consists of some very high end Pioneers with TAD drivers; the S-EX1, 2 and 7. See https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pio/pe/images/portal/cit_3424/299145609CES06_EXSP_brochure.pdf. The front channel speakers weigh 145 pounds apiece, each with TAD berrylium tweeters, carbon fiber mods and woofers, etc. Here's the Stereophile review: Pioneer S-1EX loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

I'm using a 200wpc Monoprice Monolith to drive the speakers fronted by a Marantz pre-pro. I was thinking about using my Pass XP20 preamp' and its home theater bypass and perhaps a Pass Labs two-channel amp and integrate it into the 5.1 setup so I can listen to two-channel through the same S-EX-1 front speakers, but with a better preamp and power amp.

I would love to hear feedback/instructions for this concept, which is similar to what the OP wants to do, except his idea is to actually use different sets of front left and right speakers solely for two-channel listening. Since my S-1EX speakers are very nice to start with and since I have a few other dedicated two-channel systems, I don't need or want to run additional speakers in my theater room.

Do any of you have knowledge who who can give both me and the OP advice? Thanks in advance.
 
Take you very much for your input there is someone else seeking the same thing whether it's a good idea or not remains to be seen. I hope that people can see through my idea for what it really is trying to attain...high quality sound for 2 channel environment by spending the most amount of money on those components without concentrating on spending of lot of money on a DAC or streaming device. At the same time utilizing what in my case what seems to be a pretty decent DAC and a pretty decent streaming capability. To clarify I want big and loud sound for a budget of around 5 to $8,000 roughly. Brap 's later or more than perhaps I plan to upgrade to a better photo stage and a better back and just trying to integrate my need for 2 channel listening Into whatever already spent for home theatre. My thinking is flown please if you are going to give suggestions give suggestions for components that will meet my budget requirements and give me what I am after even if it means doing a totally standalone 2 channel system which seems to meJust as likely of a scenario is anything else
 
The Pass is easy enough, pre-out from Marantz into XP20 by pass. This will make the Pass pre/power a slave to the Marantz for home theater. When bypass is off the Pass system will drive the TAD's for 2-channel.

The Yamaha will be the same generally. When using bypass you can use the Yamaha hometheater and other features but when in bypass your integrated amp will need DAC, phono stage etc.

I've used bypass method and I've also had two separate systems where I physically switch speaker cables to the main speakers.

Having a few main speakers may sound like fun but for optimum two channel I'd recommend just using one set of mains. This keeps interference between speakers out and further reflections etc.

I don't think Cambridge would provide the step up in sound you are looking for. You might look at the Arcam SA30.

Let me know your specific questions.

One more thing on Pass, I was not able to use the single ended bypass due to a ground hum issue which was eliminated by going into a balanced connection. This required me to put the volume at a certain level when using bypass. I suspect it was only my system but I wanted to mention it in case. To further complicate things my Marantz remote seemed to move the XP10 volume control. Set up was quite the ordeal, LOL
 
The thanks for the input both of you guys I had a couple of cocktails last night when I had this idea, It doesn't sound like such a great idea this morning. I could definitely use a little more power to the paradigms to wake them up maybe just doing a 2 channel poweramp like the anthem MCA225 or an NAD 275 BEE would do the job and then get a good Phono stage with tubes for 2 channel listening.

If you can recommend a 2 channel amplifier and a solid Phono stage that would be helpful.

Thanks again
 
Also, welcome to the forums.

This thought: "My RXA2 reciever has one preout for the main channel and if connected to a much higher quality integrated and/or component 2 channel system I would have the benefit of the streaming services and even the dac that comes with the Yamaha Without having to find a model that is another all-in-one unit." is not the way it works. That could work if you just added a higher quality power amp and use the Yamaha as your preamp.

If using the Yamaha preout to an integrated or separates you would use one of those as preamp opposed to the Yamaha, therefore would need the sources etc. for that system.

So would you rather expand on the Yamaha by adding more power to the front speakers or do you want a 2nd system dedicated for 2-channel. When using home theater the 2-channel is passive and controlled by the Yamaha. But there's no gain in keeping it bypass for 2-channel.


Hillbilly HiFi said:
I have recently updated my home theatre system. The AVR that I chose is the Yamaha RXA2 Aventage which does boast a lot of the newest technology in terms of 4K and 8K video all of the latest audio and video formats at a modest price of $800 USD. It has Sabre Ess DAC and a built in Phono stage and respectable streaming capability. I use Tidal to stream a lot if my music. All of the conveniences are great however for me I would like to also have a better 2 channel experience. I have considered many options including starting over with a very decent integrated amplifier something along the lines of a Yamaha AS 1200 or 2200, MUSICAL FIDELITY M6SI INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER,DENON PMA-A110 110TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER(this one has a Dac) or even going hyrbrid tube integrated like Prima luna or Rogue, Cambridge etc.

The reason I am curious is I have to share my home theater room and my 2 channel area and I thought that I could concentrate my budget on the best amplification and hopefully Preamplifier with a pair of speakers worthy of the same money spent.

My RXA2 reciever has one preout for the main channel and if connected to a much higher quality integrated and/or component 2 channel system I would have the benefit of the streaming services and even the dac that comes with the Yamaha Without having to find a model that is another all-in-one unit. When using this 2 channel system I plan to mainly use it with my projects essentials 3 turntable with an Ortofon phone 2M blue cartridge. It's not high end but it's mine and it's what I have to work with right now. It's not high end but it's mine and it's what I have to work with right now. I know one benefit would be to have a better high end Photo stage so when choosing the integrated or component route that is going to be of great importance. One last thing that has occurred to me for example the Yamaha AS 1200 has the ability to attach 2 pairs of speakers and that opens up some interesting possibilities. My current home theatre system is very satisfactory it has a pair of paradigm Premier 700 f's for the left and rights and a 500 C centre channel a pair of elec debut 2.0 6.2 's for the surround a pair of old JBL studio monitors for the back channel and a pair of paradigm in ceiling speakers for my atmos channel. I'm very happy with it as it is for what it is. Now the possibility of having a 2 channel system integrated into the same taking advantage of the dac possibly the phono stage and the streaming capabilities of the Yamaha RXA2 I could potentially add 2 different pairs of 2 channel listening speakers to my system hooked up to The a and B outputs of the Yamaha AS 1200. I find this very intriguing. It would be a nice ability to do at AB comparison of different speakers that you rotate into the mix. Or to have a pair of Heresies or Cornwall's On one channel and maybe some tannoy bookshelves on another for a different experience just by turning a switch.



As far as a budget goes I would like to allow up to $4000 for the integrated amplifier or a combination of an amplifier and peeamp and 3 to $4000 for a pair of speakers hopefully with higher sensitivity because I tend to be someone who likes to listen to my music loud. Thoughts comments suggestions clarifications of my ignorance are all welcome and thank you for any input
Click to expand...
 
Paradigm benefits from an amp that can produce current. I would recommend a Parasound A21 or perhaps a Bryston 3b.

The addition of a power amp will help but it will be limted by the performance of the Yamaha's preamp section.
 
Thank you, that information is very relevant and to the point. I did not not know that my paradigm speakers benefit from higher current than higher wattage makes me wonder if a really good high current design like something from pass labs may be the best way to get the most frim what i have. Just a thought. I will research rhe A21 and the bryston..totally new to me. Thanks
 
I do what you are looking to do. I use my main 2 channel system as the Fronts to my HT. Items in your price range would be what I am using now, Luxman Integrated and Fyne speakers.

My HT is an Integra unit, lower budget at the time. I still use my Dynaudio C122 as at 1 time I had fronts, center and rears all of the Audience Line. My sub is just a Mirage OM-12.

The addition of the Fynes made dialog much better and I am betting one of their Centers would be super.

If you want LOUD, the Lux-Fyne will get you there without issue, maybe too much at times.
 
Hi,

I'm new here so I hope I am not replying to too old of a thread. I recently been through the same thing trying to have HT and 2 channel in the same room. I'm curious about the Yamaha SQ as I always heard their AVR was good. I have an Anthem which I love but felt the preamp section was lacking for 2 channel as I am running an external Amp for the front speakers. I wanted to try a preamp without breaking the bank just to see if there was a difference so I bought a Parasound Zpre3 on sale. It has HT Bypass which allows me to integrate it into the Anthem. When I first hooked it up I couldn't believe how much better it sounds. Don't get me wrong Anthem is a great AVR and sounds great but it now sits shut off most of the time. OP what was it about Yamaha SQ that you didn't like?

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 
I like the Yamaha for what it is, a home theater reciever but doesn't have enough power to really make the Paradigms sing.

If I add an amp that will help but like you said a good preamp would really open things up. So either separate components or the best integrated I can get for up to $4000.

If anyone has suggestions for an amp, preamp, phono stage and a Dac for 4k or an integrated that can d9 the same for 4k I'm all ears.
 
You can get a Parasound P6 pream and A23 power amp for your budget, or an A21 if buying used. The P6 has a DAC as well.

There are probably more integrated options, the Arcam SA30, Naim, Hegel, not sure of pricing and features for Sim Audio.

Hillbilly HiFi said:
I like the Yamaha for what it is, a home theater reciever but doesn't have enough power to really make the Paradigms sing.

If I add an amp that will help but like you said a good preamp would really open things up. So either separate components or the best integrated I can get for up to $4000.

If anyone has suggestions for an amp, preamp, phono stage and a Dac for 4k or an integrated that can d9 the same for 4k I'm all ears.
Click to expand...
 
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