Stereo amp with AV Bypass?!

[Nt016]

Hi Folks,

Well, lets be honest, i'm happy with my cinema system - the problem is that I love my speakers and stereo sound so would like to have a purely stereo setup (ie. a stereo amp with an AV Bypass) which would drive my front 2 speakers and I could connect a high or low level connector into a sub.

I have been advised that the Arcam A70 will let me do this, does anyone know any others that can?

Cheers,
Nt

 

[CJROSS]

Hi Folks,

Well, lets be honest, i'm happy with my cinema system - the problem is that I love my speakers and stereo sound so would like to have a purely stereo setup (ie. a stereo amp with an AV Bypass) which would drive my front 2 speakers and I could connect a high or low level connector into a sub.

I have been advised that the Arcam A70 will let me do this, does anyone know any others that can?

Cheers,
Nt

Denon PMA-1500AE (which is where I'd be looking)
Marantz PM 7200-KI

They have Pre-ins ie to be used as a power amp, also have pre-outs, but you would be using your AV amps LFE socket low level to the sub, then you need to check that your sub has a low / high level switch as it would be connected to your stereo amp high level wise (subs guru corretc me if I am wrong).

There are a few amps that now do this FWIW.

 

[Nt016]

sadly not keen on either of those brands - any others? (tube amp would be nice also...)

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

As already mentioned, quite a number of amps already have bypass, though I'm not aware of any valve amps with it.
Frankly, I'm not actually convinced it's a genuine requirement. If you're happy to simply set the volume to a preset level on the stereo amp, then it's not really a problem.

You're going to have a more difficult job finding a stereo amp with a sub low level output. Having said that, I'm not convinced about the use of subs with music anyway. Only heard one system where I thought sub was genuinely capable of blending in seemlessly, and that was far from a standard product.
If you have an av amp, why not run the sub from the AV amp with only movies (if that shakes your boat) and leave the stereo amp with just the front stereo pair of speakers?

Any particular reason why you fancy a valve amp?
I've listened to quite a few recently. More of the Chinese ones have left me completely underwhelmed and the remaining ones were far from cheap and needed sympathetic speakers.

 

[witters]

Musical Fidelity A3.2 or A3.5 have a pukka AV bypass i.e. a switch to engage a fixed gain input so you don't have to alter the volume. Naim Nait 5 also has one as any of the later Arcam's do.

 

[Nt016]

Witters- are you sure about the Naim NAIT 5i?

I am sorely tempted by NAIM - the price is about right and there are a few going on ebay.

The arcam was an obvious option but I really fancy a change...

If you have ever listened to the Kef iQ5 - you will find they are light in the bass department and therefore are best paired with a sub... I have found a French brand called Kora that make Tube amplifiers with an AV bypass but would really like a NAIM if someone can confirm?

 

[Mark F]

Cyrus amps have an AV by-pass functions, works well.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Ref the Naim. Easy answer on the Naim website, here:
http://www.naim-audio.com/products/nait5i.html

It certainly does have unity gain. Doesn't have low level sub output.
One additional point, Naim kit sounds bugger all like most valve amps, so I'm surprised that you're interested in both valve and Naim. Have you listened to each type?

 

[Nt016]

Hi guys,

I'm not actually a big fan of valve amps (apart from the Kora) and I dont fancy the upkeep in tubes so plan to stay away!

This brings me down to a choice between:
coughing up £500 for an Arcam A70
coughing up £350ish for either a Naim NAIT 5i or Musical Fidelity 3.2 or 3.5

Problem is that I dont really have the possibility of listening to them in a shop!

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Be aware that there isn't a simple answer to this question, if there was, one of those companies would be selling like hotcakes and the other out of business.
The simple fact is that they all sound "different", and you need to decide which style you prefer.

The Naim sound is boppy, fun and drives along with gusto. However, it's not wholy accurate and doesn't deal with textures of music that brilliantly. The MF kit is pretty much at the other end of the scale, wonderful textures, but bugger all in the way of timing.
IMO the Arcam is two thirds of the way from the Naim towards the MF.

Put it another way the owner of MF (Anthony Michaelson IIRC) plays a Cello and I'm sure his kit is group with that kind of thing. Naim gear simply loves rock and roll.

When faced with this query a few years ago, I took the Naim route as the other stuff left me bored to tears, but that's just me.

 

[Nt016]

Hmmm... The problem on the Naim NAIT 5i is the lack of pre-outs - that is going to be a major factor for me. I am a big fan of arcam equipment BUT cannot really justify the £500

I just bought a house and am moving in in 2 weeks time! I know that there will be no more money for hifi from then on so I need to make up my mind before her indoors manages the bank with an iron fist!

 

[witters]

Go for the MF mate - I've had just about all brands and the MF works best for me.

 

[Thekop]

Hi Folks,

Well, lets be honest, i'm happy with my cinema system - the problem is that I love my speakers and stereo sound so would like to have a purely stereo setup (ie. a stereo amp with an AV Bypass) which would drive my front 2 speakers and I could connect a high or low level connector into a sub.

I have been advised that the Arcam A70 will let me do this, does anyone know any others that can?

Cheers,
Nt

Hi

In truth I spent years trying to combine both AV and 2 channel audio into one complete system. But I had always been left underwhelmed with music replay from AV set ups.. I guess i look at things mainly in the audiophiles ears/eyes perspective.. My ideal solution was to separate the both so i could get the best of both worlds ( funds and space permitting or course ).
It all really depends on your priorities and the allowed space for 2 set ups. One Audio, the other AV.....

I guess it's possible to get decent music replay from AV gear and it looks like Arcam is the obvious choice if a compromise is to be met.. I take the audio route more serious than most here. But maybe adding a stereo power to an AV Receiver - into decent speakers - may provide a better solution than an amp with AV by-pass switching.

A power amp such as the Quad 909 is quite frankly an audio bargain for music replay.. It's just so complete and rewarding in what it can do, even with modest speakers !. It's worth a consideration amongst your upgrading/purchasing plans.

Tim

 

[Nt016]

well to be honest buddy, I've just got myself kitted out for the lounge in AV kit (got rid of the stereo kit I had) because the missus didnt want "floorstanders that were too fragile to touch"... I.E she wants kid friendly equipment and otherwise I would just have done a pure hifi setup in the lounge with a pair of 703s BUT i dont want NOBODY touching my tweeters!

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

well to be honest buddy, I've just got myself kitted out for the lounge in AV kit (got rid of the stereo kit I had) because the missus didnt want "floorstanders that were too fragile to touch"... I.E she wants kid friendly equipment and otherwise I would just have done a pure hifi setup in the lounge with a pair of 703s BUT i dont want NOBODY touching my tweeters!

Err, that's what the grills are for on speakers, however much we dislike them. Along with the electrified razer wire...