Opinions please - Denon X6800H AVR vs MiniDSP Flex & Audiolab 6000A

[Smithg97]

I'm looking for opinions, preferably from members with hands on experience of these units to understand whether 2 channel music is likely to be audibly better on either;
A) Using a Denon X6800H (140W RMS) in stereo mode, or
B) Using a MiniDSP Flex paired with an Audiolab 6000A (50W RMS)

For additional context i currently use option B but my current AVR is the X3700H which I'm considering upgrading due to needing more HDMI 2.1 ports (eARC is creating delays for Atmos content) and potentially to consolidate into fewer boxes than more current setup (given the X6800H can amplify 11 speaker channels) if music listening isn't negatively impacted in addition to 2x extra sub outputs if i decide to add more subs or shakers in the future as well as potentially better audio processing software (e.g. AL32). I use a WiiM mini streamer via optical for all my 2 channel music, the MiniDSP is tuned with Dirac live and subs with MSO (Multi Sub Optimizer) and I use Arendal 1723 S THX towers with 2x SVS PB-1000 Pro subwoofers

 

[Miniyouuuu]

I’d suggest more power for the amp.
With MiniDSP you can get more precise in the setting up of a 2.2 layout than many AVRs, but more than 80w per channel would be recommended.

Speakers always love to have plenty of power behind. I have the Audiolab 9000a with miniDSP Flex digital acting as preamp. I adore this combination. Way more expensive than the 6000A, but you wanted an upgrade.

If your MiniDSP is not digital I assume you’ll requiere a pre-out+line in amp. That HT bypass is the only requirement you’ll have for the amp. There are plenty of examples (any Audiolab, many Cambridges and Marantz…) even in cheap Chinese class D amps.

 

[Smithg97]

I’d suggest more power for the amp.
With MiniDSP you can get more precise in the setting up of a 2.2 layout than many AVRs, but more than 80w per channel would be recommended.

Speakers always love to have plenty of power behind. I have the Audiolab 9000a with miniDSP Flex digital acting as preamp. I adore this combination. Way more expensive than the 6000A, but you wanted an upgrade.

If your MiniDSP is not digital I assume you’ll requiere a pre-out+line in amp. That HT bypass is the only requirement you’ll have for the amp. There are plenty of examples (any Audiolab, many Cambridges and Marantz…) even in cheap Chinese class D amps.

Thanks for input, the 9000A does look the part, just not sure I'd be leveraging much of the features of it, if I were to stay with option B but upgrade the 2 channel amp then ideally it'd be something with higher power with HT bypass, the DAC and streaming features won't be needed in my case. Do you know of any amps with 80-100W RMS that can power 2 separate inputs that are cheaper than 9000A?

 

[Smithg97]

Another option i have in mind is whether i could buy something like the Fosi Audio LC30 and use it as a pre-amp switch to connect the front L/R pre-out connectors from the AVR to it and the RCA out from the MiniDSP Flex to it and have the outputs of the LC30 going to a high power 2ch power amp, that way it would negate the need for HT bypass if i'm not mistaken, i can control volume on the MiniDSP Flex when listening to music and would mean i'm not throwing money away on additional DAC's....etc that i don't need