Best multi channel amp and processor good for 2 channel listening.

Maguiar, you asked for opinions so here’s my two cents. When I first read this thread in Jan I didn’t respond because I thought it was so off track. The concept of using two channels of a 7.1 processor/amp as a second zone to run high quality audio speakers seemed poor. I’m glad that people have mentioned that already and now you’re exploring a bypass setup or just selling two speakers and integrating everything or having two totally separate setups. Those seem like much better choices with the last one being the best IMHO.

The thing is you’re really wanting two different things in the way you’re describing the two channel sound you like. I don’t think you get there with just playing the L/R speakers of your HT when you want to listen to music because it will never be as good as the Verity’s can be. Also, if somehow you can make the two L/R channels sound that good, the center will never match them in HT use. You’re probably closer to your goal by just listening to HT in an optimized Verity based 2CH system with a phantom center.

Anyway, to achieve your goal of a great HT with an audio system that meets the quality level you describe while having minimal equipment, I’d suggest the following:

- HT - Keep the SF 5.1 speaker setup and buy an AudioControl AVR8 in the used market. Yes, it’s a HT receiver, but it’s built like separates. It will more than keep up with any of the processor/amp combinations listed above. In HT you’ll get a lot of the key things you need, amp/proc integration, similarity among the 5 speakers, sound quality, video processing, room correction ect. Also, this unit has the better amp (double check this) and none of the Atmos, DTS X capabilities which you don’t need. It should be a great used value.

- Audio - Given what you described I would really suggest a tube based system. Most tube gear intrinsically has the qualities you’re looking for. I’ve heard the Verity Parsifal with a VAC Avatar integrated a few years back and it was sick. For my tastes, very few audio systems can better that sound quality. I don’t think they make the Avatar anymore, but something similar from VAC, VTL/Manley, Audio Research, Audio Note could be a good choice.

If the thought of tubes is a non-starter then find a good dealer and listen to a few solid state units on your speakers in your home to find the one that get’s closest to the sound you want. With solid state you’ve looking for a type of sound that’s usually not the norm. For that reason you need to try a few with your speakers and in your space to see which one is closest. This should be very doable because you haven't spent a lot of money on the HT side.

Maguiar, I'm glad to see that you're getting to listen to a bunch of things. That's always the best way. I think the realization you had about splitting the system makes a lot of sense. In my experience that's the best way to get what you want.

For HT, the Arcam 860 or the AC M9 are top notch. I think they're quite similar if not the same units. I'm not sure you could do much better here. If it's in your budget to get one of these processors and a separate amp then that's a great solution. Another piece you can look at is the Arcam AVR850 which has has the 860 processing paired to a seven channel class G amp. It should end up costing less then separates and sound really good.

For audio, the idea of listening to speakers and amps together like you did with the Harbeth and Luxman makes sense. In my experience for audio there is so much involved in the amp/speaker interaction that you almost need to pick them together. I've heard speakers sound totally different based on the amp that was connected to them.

Keep listening and let us know what you find.

I just saw audiotroy's post. Looks like the Arcam and AC units are not the same. Audiotroy what do you think of the receivers made by Arcam and AC? For example are the AVR850 and AVR550 a good solution for maguiar? Are they different from the Audio Control 9 and 7? In the end would he get better sound from separates where the processor and amp have different chassis, power supplies, isolation etc. or from a combined unit where the amp is designed to work with the processor and there are no interconnect cables, cleaner signal path etc.?