Ditched multi-channel for music and never going back!!!!

eclein · « **on:** 6 Jul 2010, 08:22 pm »

Some months back I came here to get some tips on how to make my 5.1 setup sound good..I was multi-channel addicted!!
A friend I met through this forum would stop by and say-"you really outta try just 2 channel stereo", I just couldn't imagine why anyone would want two channels when more is so much better I thought to myself. So I set out to prove him wrong, I was gonna have a smokin 5.1 setup that he would even say sounded better.

Today I sold off one of the last pieces of that smokin hot 5.1 setup but not because I had to, or needed the money but because I've gone two-channel, I'm a recovering multi-channel addict!!! I recently gave 2 channel a try, a test, a temporary listen and I'm never going back..I have listened to Pat Metheny to Pink Floyd and back through Steely Dan, I found the best way to listen to music for me..thank goodness I wasn't too late...Thank you Bill!!!!(pumpkinman) for bringing music back into my life!!!...gotta run, change CD's, I got some serious catching up to do!! Enjoy!!!

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 08:27 pm »

Another one saved from the madness!!

mjosef · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 08:44 pm »

I am not giving up my 7.1 system...movies just wouldn't be the same

srb · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 08:49 pm »

Quote from: mjosef on 6 Jul 2010, 08:44 pm

I am not giving up my 7.1 system...movies just wouldn't be the same

No need to ditch multi-channel for movies if an HT bypass is implemented on the preamplifier or integrated amplifier. Best of both worlds.

Steve

PSB Guy · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 08:54 pm »

I would love to give up on multi-channel altogether, stereo is good enough for me, even for movies. The problem I have is that a lot of the DVDs I've run into lately no longer have a separate 2.0 sound track included. Most of my older ones do. Does anyone know if the 5.1 soundtracks are "down-mixed" properly (for lack of a better term) when played through a stereo system?

mjosef · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 08:54 pm »

Yah, I know...was just poking some fun at the thread title.
My 7.1 HT is separate from my two channel stereo anyway.

ted_b · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 09:06 pm »

It's not a case of one or the other.

HT Bypass on a hi-end 2 channel preamp makes both (or all three in my case, 2 ch, 5.1 and 7.1) a reality, and keeps the signal path clean and unadulterated in each system.

eclein · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 09:15 pm »

I still have my 5.1 abilities for movies..I'm not totally abstinent, I lied..LOL. I'm using AV receiver for movies and gaming-Cornelis: my PS3 will playback in two channels for concert vids etc via a setting in audio properties..I was using the av receiver before for everything. You can use it as an excuse to buy a Playstation 3...I use it via HDMI for Video portion and let it downmix so I can send it through the DAC for audio. The PS3 has some nifty visuals (3 choices) also it will play when you listen to CD's...I wasn't clear before sorry.
Music=2.1
Movies=5.1

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 04:15 am »

Few guys here have beat the drum for MC music with more fervor than I have, but I'm almost ready to throw in the towel, too. For me it's not a lack of love for multichannel, just a lack of material. With well recorded material originally conceived for MC production the results can be stunning, better than I've ever heard in stereo. The problem is there just isn't very much of that material, and less coming out every day. Oh, sure- the catalogs of DVD-A & SACD are technically huge, but it seems that pop music has been abandoned. I'm a big fan of classical and opera but my taste is eclectic, spanning genres from indie rock and alt country to newgrass to jazz; I'm not finding a lot out there anymore. Eventually I'll have to decide if it's worth devoting my time and money to sifting those rare gems from the piles of useless junk.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 02:33 pm »

There's a place for both MC and 2 channel, they just need to be different places. The only really viable solution is to have the means and space for a dedicated multi-channel HT set up, and in a separate room a dedicated 2 channel music set up. Speaker placement alone demands this, plus the desired response profiles are so different between music and movies.

ted_b · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 02:39 pm »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 7 Jul 2010, 02:33 pm

There's a place for both MC and 2 channel, they just need to be different places. The only really viable solution is to have the means and space for a dedicated multi-channel HT set up, and in a separate room a dedicated 2 channel music set up. Speaker placement alone demands this, plus the desired response profiles are so different between music and movies.

I'm talking music (2 ch) and music (multichannel); movies are lower priority for me and get separate surround speakers and amps.

rollo · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 03:33 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 6 Jul 2010, 08:27 pm

Another one saved from the madness!!

Ah the thought of not having the TV, cable box, power conditioners DVD combo player. switches and all the magnetic fields they create about is bliss. Imaging, soundstaging and tone all improves when they are gone.
Besides you really do not need that quality sound reproduction [ except bass and clear vocals] for film. The brain just cannot focus on sound and video at the same time. A separte room for TV and a decent Receiver IMO is all ya need for movies unless resrticted in space. Give it a try.

charles

Construct · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 03:35 pm »

I have a dream.... that HT and music systems can walk hand-in-hand in the same house....

eclein · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 03:45 pm »

My rig(s) are all in one room so I have found a nice blend of each. The two channel and HT both use the same left and right front speakers
powered by a Virtue TWO.2 which has a sub output also. Everything goes through my DAC and then to Virtue amp. The AV receiver powers
the surrounds and center channel only and can be synced time wise to blend in with the 2.1 setup. The PS3 can output multiple audio signals at the same time so I can watch Blu-Rays/DVD's with both rigs going at the same time and when I want just 2.1 I just turn down the AV receiver-leaving the video signal for the visual player. I got the idea from ted_b's post about bringing HDMI or whatever to your DAC. The PS3 made it all possible with the multiple audio outs...I rarely watch TV and if I do I just use the TV's sound-news, golf, etc.
It works very well for me...it all came together yesterday, one of those ah-ha moments!!

kingdeezie · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 04:09 pm »

I used to listen to music in multichannel off of my AVR a few years ago be it native or up-sampled by my AVR, before I knew any better.

One day I decided to listen to a CD straight through, bypassing any EQing or sampling, and I was shocked. The image was dead center and it sounded a lot better then I could have imagined.

That started my current obsession.

I have a hard time placing two speakers for accurate reproduction in my room; having to add three more for benefit is likely not an easy task.

Plus, I love analog!

I do use 5.1 for movies though.

Mag · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 04:25 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 6 Jul 2010, 08:27 pm

Another one saved from the madness!!

I take it you haven't heard MC stereo 10.1! Nah, you still wouldn't like it.

Construct · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 04:38 pm »

I want a dodecahedron.1 with speakers every foot!
I believe in separation of church and state. In this case: I have proof that subs exist merely for HT boom and are not suitable for musical (fidelity) listening. They either boom between 40-110hz, have a weak 1st octave, or allow too much distortion and are ill defined for music. I have some good examples in my house. A music sub otoh (I'll throw out the venerable REL strata or Vandersteen [3x8" drivers] for example) are too refined for my HT. I like my HT sub like I like my women: with a booming body. A Single 15" long-xmax sub is a good start for HT. Smaller subs need not apply. If I have a 15 or 18" sub in my music system, they better be defined and refined with a big motor to move all that cone. Like a velodyne for example, not a Parts express kit sub.

eclein · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 04:45 pm »

Quote from: Construct on 7 Jul 2010, 04:38 pm

I want a dodecahedron.1 with speakers every foot!

I wonder how that would sound..hhmmm..

I'm a 2.1 kinda guy, and since I elevated my sub-like 10" high on a box-I get great low end from a Polk PSW10..its the only piece of gear
I own that hasn't come under the "evil upgrade" eye!!!...time to change CD's...

werd · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 04:53 pm »

Quote from: Construct on 7 Jul 2010, 04:38 pm

I want a dodecahedron.1 with speakers every foot!
I believe in separation of church and state. In this case: I have proof that subs exist merely for HT boom and are not suitable for musical (fidelity) listening. They either boom between 40-110hz, have a weak 1st octave, or allow too much distortion and are ill defined for music. I have some good examples in my house. A music sub otoh (I'll throw out the venerable REL strata or Vandersteen [3x8" drivers] for example) are too refined for my HT. I like my HT sub like I like my women: with a booming body. A Single 15" long-xmax sub is a good start for HT. Smaller subs need not apply. If I have a 15 or 18" sub in my music system, they better be defined and refined with a big motor to move all that cone. Like a velodyne for example, not a Parts express kit sub.

They tend to be overextended in 2 channel. I have mine set below 80hz but just barely on. Low freq comes through but it doesnt take it over. Used very sparingly and sometimes not at all.

rollo · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 04:56 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 7 Jul 2010, 04:45 pm

I wonder how that would sound..hhmmm..

I'm a 2.1 kinda guy, and since I elevated my sub-like 10" high on a box-I get great low end from a Polk PSW10..its the only piece of gear
I own that hasn't come under the "evil upgrade" eye!!!...time to change CD's...

Get that sub 22% of your floor to ceiling height off the floor and preopare yourself for tighter and better focused bass. If you can try firing the sub up towards the clg. as well. Try to keep the sub no more than 48" from the main speakers.
Works very well. Have fun trying.

charles