Consider this, add a powered subwoofer (REL, Monitor Audio, Bag End, etc.) and do nothing else. Approximate cost -- $1,000 to $1,500. The advantages of this setup is that your music system is not compromised. I have two video oriented systems. The big system has seven speaker plus twin subwoofer sound. It's very enjoyable. The smaller system is much simpler and has only a pair of Sony SM7 speakers (very good speakers, but not as good as your 2.3s). No subwoofers, no center or surround channels. It still sounds great. Surprisingly, I never miss the surround information. The primary use of a center channel is to anchor the dialog to the screen for off center axis viewers. Alot of setups don't need this. To summarize, a high quality two channel system is far preferably to a half-assed five channel setup.
Dedicated stereo to HT--advice?
How best to expand a stereo system into a HT system in as few steps as possible? I have recently put together a system which is 100% devoted to stereo--however, I did so with the eventual intention of expanding it to include a surround sound processor, three more channels of amplification, and some speakers. That said, I would like to accomplish the expansion as cheaply as possible (relatively, at least). I am familiar with the reasoning that the HT equipment should be comparable to the stereo end of things in order to fully appreciate the HT (which is certainly undeniable) but I have no intention, or ability, to spend as much on the HT bits. Basically, I’d like to try to figure out what my options are for tacking on a processor and three more channels of amplification. The basics (what I’m building off): Thiel 2.3, Bryston 4B-ST, VTL 2.5, AH!Tjoeb, Yamaha changer and tape player (both of which will likely be sacrificed in the name of more space in the rack…), and a grab-bag of Synergistic and Monster tying it all together. (Note, the Thiels in the front, whatever the setup, will still run off of the Bryston and VTL – so I am not looking for a solution which would be worthy, or even necessarily capable, of making the Thiels go). Thoughts (to be shot to hell as appropriate): A relatively cheap HT receiver? Could even bridge a couple of channels for a little more umph, the tuner would be a bonus, and I’d have a way to spread a few more speakers around the room with one box for little $$. Is this a waste of time? Am I mad? If cheepo option #1 (above) is a complete jackass move, what are my other options? I’m not entirely opposed to separates, but, especially with three channel amps, we’re talking about a realm which is just esoteric enough that there isn’t that much in the mid-range that I was hoping for (correct me if I’m wrong, but the +3 portion of the 2+3 solution to amplification for HT is place where only true addicts tend find themselves—not a big market for that sort of stuff). What should I look at? Should I just use what I’ve got? Stereo is where it’s at for me, so the HT whistles and bells are, in my book, just that. Any suggestions (equipment, configurations, priorities, you name it) are welcome—-with one caveat-—yes, I do realize that analog sounds better...that’s another battle, for another day...