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Do NOT Blow Your Entire Budget on Two Channel Audio

Yes, two channel audio is here, and is not going away. However, object based audio is delightful, widely available on Tidal and Apple Music, and should be in the listening room of every music lover on the planet, not just "audiophiles. If you plan to be a music fan a year from now start building your object based audio system today. You will need:

1) A receiver/processor capable of Dolby Atmos.

2) A subscription to Tidal or Apple music.

3) A Firestick, ATV, or Nvidia Shield.

4) A minimum of 7 timber matched speakers and a subwoofer.

Once you experienced stereo would you ever go back to only mono? No, you would build a system capable of either mono or stereo. Now that object based audio has arrived do the same thing. Build a system capable of mono, stereo, AND object based audio. When Elton John heard Rocket Man in an object based format for the first time why did he demand to convert his entire catalog to Atmos? If you don’t know, then you need to go listen to Rocket Man in a good Atmos setup ASAP.

So, take your budget, DIVERSIFY, and get a good Atmos capable receiver or processor. Object based audio is NOT last decades surround sound or home theater. It is for MUSIC first, if you need a recommendation on how to allocate your budget feel free to post a question. Most importantly, you don’t NEED two systems, one for music and one for movies. A good object based audio system can play two channel music just fine. A two channel system on the other hand can’t play object based audio without a proper processor or receiver.

Greg Penny talks mixing Rocket Man in Atmos.

https://youtu.be/ggzfcUKDqdo?feature=shared

 

kota1

Showing 3 responses by kennyc

kennyc
1,242 posts
 

This is a head scratcher. The OP is trying to convince us to spend significant time and resources on “immersion” to audiophiles interested in “higher fidelity”, 2 completely different targets and experiences that is not related besides both being in audio. I like driving my car which doesn’t mean I’d be willing to put time and effort into drifting, drag racing, etc.

Many moons ago during my partying days, a bit of alcohol, flashing lights, loud music, on a disco dance floor - “immersion”.

In my main system, I’m after a clear window - neutral, linear. I want to hear a piano sound like a real live piano which is difficult to reproduce. I want to hear crystalline highs, a deep articulate bass, etc.  My second system is high efficiency for flea watt amplifiers to hear that midrange magic. My goal as with most audiophiles is “fidelity” - better sonics than offered in the mainstream market.

Seems either the OP is disconnected/oblivious with what audiophiles seek or simply a troll. With over 2k postings the first possibility seems unlikely so…

I also highly expect the OP is trying to make himself “feel better” that he chose immersion over fidelity likely because of his unwillingness to pursue audiophile goals which can be costly.

kennyc
1,242 posts
 

you seem to feel a budget of 100% channel based audio

Not 100%. My TV video surround system is a different project, quite separate from my audiophile aspirations.  I also have a headphone system with tubes vs SS - again seeking “fidelity”.  

kennyc
1,242 posts
 

Desktop audio can be very rewarding and it’s usually much more affordable than typical 2 channel audiophile systems.

My initial foray into desktop audio:  Laptop into xDuoo TA-30 (tube) or my Astell&Kern SP2000T (SS) DAP (digital audio player used for both desktop and portable). My headphones are Focal Clear and Audeze LCDi4.  

Not working on surround sound now, farthest I got was Anthem units minimum quality and Trinnov seems like the very best processor.  Currently working on optimizing my Ethernet chain: audiophile switch, cables, filters - not easy to keep a lid on the costs.

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