Anthem brings up a great point. An integrated amp with a great DAC and home theater bypass would take 2-channel music to another level. It would be a bit more money but could be just the ticket. I'd bet Audio Systems would let you do an in home demo to see if it is worth the investment. They seem to have a lot of options based on their web page. Some even have TOOBS!

Cheers,

T Cobe

Hi, Anthem and T Cobe

Thanks for the prompt responses!

Re intended use/amp type, I'm thinking I want to use the added height channels as part of 5.1.4 useage only, and this amp would power these new channels only. I'm not planning on changing the Marantz's use as input/power source for all other speakers.. When I listen to 2 channel music, it's in the new Dolby surround format with height channels added to the 5.1 set-up (T1's/T2's/SCXXL). Love that too much to want to stream separately to just 2 channels, I think. So that implies a power amp dedicated to feeding pre-outs from the Marantz should fit the bill. I'm open to suggestions, but that's my thought process as of now.

Re dimensions, I'd like to stay under 4" for height, though I could do some moving around of shelves to squeeze some more height. What I do like about the Peachtree sonaAmp is it's compact size (approx. 3.25" height by 10" by 11" ). It is pricey, but it packs 150 watts per channel. The NAD 316 is also under 4", though some wider and deeper.The NAD is an integrated amp, though I wasn't thinking along the lines of using it as anything but a power amp. Again, would that amp at 40 watts do the speakers justice at high SL's?

I'm also still talking with Marantz technical about "Amp assign" options that would let me reconfigure the Marantz to run the current kitchen ceiling Zone 2 525's as pre-outs to a new amp, and use a freed up ninth channel in the Marantz amp to power the new height channels. When I stream music to the kitchen 525's, it's not at high SL's requiring lots of power. So far, no luck on that front. There's limits on amp reassign options. Still analyzing that.

Any/all suggestions welcome.

Thanks!

Rick

Rick:
For the height channels only, I think the Parasound 275 v2 ($449) 90 watts would make a great amp.
www.parasound.com/275-v2.php

anthem wrote: Rick:
For the height channels only, I think the Parasound 275 v2 ($449) 90 watts would make a great amp.
www.parasound.com/275-v2.php

Thanks, Anthem!

That's looking like a great option, and Amazon has it. I could get it in 2 days. Decision coming up early next week.

Rick

All decisions made re adding the 2nd set of height speakers: HTR7000's and a Parasound 275 v2 amp (thanks, Anthem for the amp suggestion!). I can source it all through Audio Systems (they had the 7000's in inventory). Will use a Kimber Tonic interconnect, also from Audio Systems. I've appreciated their support all along on this and all the other HT projects.

The whole project completion is 7-10 days away. I'll be re playing some of my ATMOS Blu-rays to hear what the extra height channels add to the whole immersion experience. I've grown to really love Dolby ATMOS surround for upmixing music, and can't wait to hear what the added channels do for both movies and music!

Happy listening! I'll provide updates and my impressions when it's done.


(To be completely fair to anyone in, or contemplating a 5.1.2 ATMOS set-up, my current height speakers are not directly overhead, but positioned some outboard of and behind the PLP, more like the correct position for a 5.1.4 set-up (because they were originally my surrounds). So I probably am not getting the full benefit of a 5.1.2 set-up because of the speaker''s position in back of the PLP instead of the recommended position for 5.1.2 as slightly in front. They ARE perfectly positioned, though, as one pair of a 5.1.4 set-up.

Rick

Hey Rick

Thanks for the update. Sure sounds like your gonna have a "whiz bang" good system. Good for you. Wishing you and Judy All The Best.
Looking forward to future updates.