[satfrat]

Thanks for your thoughts, Gold and OzarkTom.

Just to clarify, the 2.1 would be for movies and music. I'm coming from a 7.1 and a 5.1 dedicated HT system.

I do have good low end sq in my 2 channel system.

And I can enhance the low end by adding two passive subs with active crossover and a dedicated amp. As a side note, I have not needed a sub in my systems for quite a while now (both for HT and 2 ch) since the low end performance has been to my satisfaction. But I can add it if necessary.

 
Hope you don't mind those who answer your thread topic question with answers that you don't want to hear David but the question was asked and I still feel it's a better option for you than for me, especially when it comes to movies & TV. With music tho,,, I'm a bi (I can go both ways). 
 
I'm glad to hear that your downsizing is working out to your satisfaction David. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[davidrs]

Hi Robin,

If you are referring to the 'No' I'm cool with that - perhaps you didn't get my humor. I actually liked the answer.

Please know, there is no debate in my mind on what I'd prefer, I'd much rather have a 5.1 system.

Now I need to wait until I get a BluRay player so I can test 2.1 land out for myself. Kinda wish I had done so before I sold my Oppo 83SE - it sold within 15 minutes of listing it!

Keep the feedback coming.

- David.

[Bob in St. Louis]

I'm a bi (I can go both ways). 

No.

[jvc]

Re: Can a 5.1 junkie be weaned to live with 2.1?

Not me. I'm so spoiled by surround sound, I can't stand to listen to stereo anymore. Haven't been able to for years. Just too much is missing from it, to suit me. I hardly ever turn on the radio in my vehicle any more. On a long drive I might turn it on for a little while, and then the station will play AC/DC, and I turn it back off.

[davidrs]

Have grown impatient waiting for the 95 to be widely released so I can get a better feel from owners on whether it makes for a meaningful upgrade over the 93, for my needs.

So picked up a Panasonic DMP-BD85K to test the 2.1 soundscape.

The Panasonic is good on the video side and decent with audio, but what an overall drop in comparison to the 83SE (not a fair comparison - I know).

First Blu Ray in last evening, "The American."

Stereo analog out did not work as the center channel was missing, despite downmixing. Not sure if I messed up on the very limited menu settings, or it just will not work thru the player's analog L/R outputs.

PCM, downmixed, and fed via coax to my DAC --> was able to enjoy the movie without any major downsides.

[Pez]

For me it's the other way around. Surround sound is terrible IMO. I do nothing but set up these systems for clients and can understand why people like having them for their houses. But in the end when I put on tunes 5.1, 7.1, etc just plain suck. Sorry, they do and there has never been a glowing exception. I have heard and put together incredibly high end systems. All of them are a compromise to make the soundstage sound decent for as many people as possible, but nothing beats 2 channel PERIOD.

[jparkhur]

I thought i could go without a center channel and 2.1, but I am back to surround concerts with no means of going back.  Even with basic surround speakers, it benefits me so much.  I love bluray concerts and everything that goes with it... Even a good cd in surround mode....

[ratso]

why can't you have both? i do. all you need is a two channel preamp that has a HT bypass.

[ajzepp]

why can't you have both? i do. all you need is a two channel preamp that has a HT bypass.

That's what I've been doing the last few years...when I first learned how to do that, I was in Heaven. Been there ever since 

I'll also add, that's one of the best things about some of these smaller audio companies that have forums on sites like this one. My last two preamps - a Mapletree and an SAS Labs - both had owners/designers who were extremely accessible. I told them what I wanted, they built it into the preamp, and away we go.

[Bob in St. Louis]

I thought i could go without a center channel and 2.1, but I am back to surround concerts with no means of going back.  Even with basic surround speakers, it benefits me so much.  I love bluray concerts and everything that goes with it... Even a good cd in surround mode....

Yea baby. 

The Chris Botti live Bluray...........Saaah-weeet.... 

[davidrs]

Another update.

"The Arrival" Blu Ray via digital coax out from the Panasonic.

Very good in 2.0, actually, surprisingly good.

[bardamu]

Hello,
I do visit the virtue forum every day but this is the first day that i come here. I would like to share some ideas or should i say ask some questions?
If 80 % of'' movie sound '' consist of voices why go for 7.1 5.1? I am using an old fashioned 2 channnel cambridge integrated amp, tannoy floorstanders and an svs active subwoofer. A panasonic 310 blu ray will downmix everything to just stereo. I am waiting for the new virtue amp with a high pass output for the main speakers and a subwoofer pre out. I think that will give a big step forward. I would like to have a dac that can handle a dolby digital signal and mix it down to ordinary stereo.
I think 99 % of the avr devices have to much electronics for the money inside and will usualy be obsolete or die within a few years. The only thing i use on the cambridge is the input selector and the volume control. With some movies i use the volume control on the svs as well. I think for a good surround set to function properly you should change your room into a smmall cinema and not just add some extra boxes. The Harley in the terminator movie sounds like a Harley to me however it doesn't crush my toes. Adding the SVS makes it sound like a real Harley. If i spend the money for the svs and the amp for a 5.1 amp and a box full os speakers would it still be a Harley? I doubt it.
Yours sincerely, Edward

[eclein]

Another update.

"The Arrival" Blu Ray via digital coax out from the Panasonic.

Very good in 2.0, actually, surprisingly good.

David are you talking about the scifi movie with Charlie Sheen? I always was curious about it...Thanks Ed