I’ve been set up this way with a C200/ MC2600 and an Integra DHC-80.6 / DTA-70.1 for over 5 years now. The nice thing about this is that the simplicity of using the system is exactly as it is now - the wife and kids won’t even notice any operational differences. To restore 2-ch operation, you simply turn off the AVP and then turn back on the McIntosh (I typically wait a minute). It’s gain goes to unity (1:1 input/output) and the L&R output of the AVP is fed directly to the power amp and then on to the speakers. Switch on the AVP and the integrated shows PASSTHRU on the display and none of the controls on it work any longer. Your AVP connects (line level) to an input on the Mc that you designate as the PASSTHRU input in the setup process. You switch it on, drop the needle in the groove and you’ve got this simple little 2ch system powered by the Mc. Your main (L&R) speakers connect to the integrated amplifier as well as your 2-ch sources. So, just for argument’s sake, let’s say you purchased a McIntosh stereo integrated amplifier with that feature. This allows you to eat your cake and have it both. You’re likely not aware, but many McIntosh preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers have this super cool feature called PASS THRU which permits them to be used in conjunction with any brand of AVP which has a 12V trigger output (most do). In contrast, my Krell KSA-300S was just the opposite, so every Mc amp I own was its peer. There’s a reason why Mc is generally looked down upon by the audiophile community - the designs have a neutral sound. McIntosh makes world class amplifiers and I’ve yet to find one that could better a Mc. Probably the AVR.ĭon’t let anyone here talk you out of it either.

99% it is the speakers but in the case of an AVR…. It just comes down to what is the biggest limiting factor. But your speaker will still sound like your speaker regardless of front end and better will just be more transparent. But all AVRs short of very specialty items really kill the soundstage and transparency of the music. I have played the RP8000f (I owned it for a bit) off a $800 Marantz and a $30,000 Mac based front end (both my systems) in the same room and the difference was not near as big as the internet would tell you. They are fine together but don’t expect anything too amazing. I own both Klispch and Mac (among other brands). I use a preamp/amp combo for music and pass from a receiver for movies.

The higher end macs have this function but I am not sure about the lower end models. You can use an integrated amp with a Home Theater pass through. Amps don’t sound that different (they do sound different) but that avr is sucking the life out of your music. A 2 channel preamp will do a lot more for music than an amp will.

Monolith 5 channel amp