Help integrating PM-11S2 into Home Theater system

Hello all. I'm trying to find the best solution to integrate my 2-channel int amp into a new home theatre system. I'd like to use my existing int amp (Marantz PM-11s2) for the mains while using the marantz SR-7005 for the center and rears. Strangely enough, the PM-11s2 int amp doesn't come with HT bypass. I can't figure out why marantz would leave this feature off their flagship int amp, but oh well.

From what i've read online, it sounds like one solution is to connect the preout of the Sr-7005 to any input on the PM-11s2, but this results in 2 active volume knobs. To optimize, i would have to find the unity gain setting on the PM-11s2 and set the volume knob to that location (there must be a way to find this setting, but i have no idea how). I could then use the volume knob on the SR-7005 to control output to all speakers. Even after this, there would still be some tweaking to be done to the SR-7005 to ensure all spl were equal.

I'm hoping there's a better solution. I have a feeling that if unity gain is roughly 12 o'clock on the volume knob, that there will come a day when i forget to turn the volume knob back down before listening to CDs and potentially blow my main channel speakers. Is there a better solution to accomplish what i'm trying to do?

The PM-11s2 is a better amp and i would like to keep it as the primary amp for 2-channel playback as well as power the L and R channels when watching movies in surround format.

If i'm forced to connect these two as mentioned in the OP, what is the best way to determine the volume knob position that equates to unity gain?

Any issue with driving only 1 channel of a 7 channel amp (besides a waste of money)? I don't have surrounds yet and will be using my integrated to power the L/R channels, leaving only the center channel for the AV receiver.

^ yeah, i didn't think my requirements were that demanding (preouts, rooom correction, ~100watts,hdmi switching), but i guess it's enough to push me into the multi-channel a/v receivers. Any 5.1 A/V receivers that meet those requirements?