inserting 2 channel preamp

Suggestions? How much do you want to spend? There are dozens of models to improve your 2 channel listening with an AVR.

Consider a 2 channel preamp with an HT Bypass feature but you'll need a separate 2 channel power amp for the L/R mains if you go this route. If you use an integrated, you'll have both pre and power in one box for your L/R mains. The AVR is freed up to power center and surrounds only; something you wouldn't use anyway for 2 channel listening. Whichever way you go, just make sure the preamp or integrated has a Home Theater Bypass feature allows for seamless integration with your AVR. You do not even have to level match with most of them, just push a button on the preamp or integrated and the volume control is bypassed and you control everything from the AVR for HT usage. For 2 channel, the AVR stays off and you use the preamp or integrated only with its volume control.

Like Peter above, my system is configured this way too and check out the pics here on Audiogon too.

My Pioneer Elite receiver goes thru an STI 500 Wyred 4 Sound integrated amp with an HT bypass for movies, and I feed the integrated directly for 2 channel. Also, used a Rotel 1095 as the amp and the Pioneer as a preamp for a while. Both hookups worked great. In fact I'm having a hard time deciding which to unload. I have not heard your Pioneer, but both improved my sound quality for 2 channel.

My Pioneer Elite receiver goes thru an STI 500 Wyred 4 Sound integrated amp with an HT bypass for movies, and I feed the integrated directly for 2 channel. Also, used a Rotel 1095 as the amp and the Pioneer as a preamp for a while. Both hookups worked great. In fact I'm having a hard time deciding which to unload. I have not heard your Pioneer, but both improved my sound quality for 2 channel.

My first serious HT setup revived my love for good music - which led me down the typical road of AVR first, then AVR with external amplification and some speaker upgrades.

Yet, I still felt something was holding back that major step up in sound quality - which was the AVR (the swiss army knife of a multitude of av features and the master of none).

Best thing I've done is to get a good integrated amp with HT Bypass to have a combo HT/Music setup.

Here's how my rig is set up

Overall diagram: http://erikt.cts.com/Pictures/hometheater/HT-Bypass-Diagram-1.jpg

For Movies:
http://erikt.cts.com/Pictures/hometheater/HT-Bypass-Diagram-HTmode.jpg

For 2-channel Music:
http://erikt.cts.com/Pictures/hometheater/HT-Bypass-Diagram-2chnlmode.jpg

No muss, no fuss, no cable swapping.

Peter,regards your advice inserting 2 channel preamp !
I have the same issue.I run a Arcam AVR 600 for music only.5 speakers and 3x Subs.It fine for the Esoteric SA 60 DVD-A and SACD 5.1
To get more out of my Sony SCD-1 VSE 7 and Clearaudio Innovation Turntable where the Speakers are set to small and 3x Subs going what is the best option for 2 channel pre and power combo with HT bypass to link in with my AVR 600.Hi-end with a balanced budget..
Thanks Stump

2 channel pre and power combo with HT bypass