I might restate your question. Instead of asking can I have a good HT without a CH, maybe it should be can I have a good two channel system with HT? In my experience the answer to both of these questions is yes, but it will cost you big bucks.
I unfortunately don't have the room for two systems so I had to combine. I have Magnepan 3.6's and don't use a center channel, but in order to do this properly you need a processor that can allow a phantom center with depth, volume, and placement adjustments. I went with the Meridian 568 and it works great, but I could probably get equally good sound with a lesser system in a seperate room.
The two channel stuff is more complicated. I needed to deal with the TV in the center (which you don't have), seperate power supplies for the TV, DVD, and processor, two channel preamp with theater loop etc. The simple answer is use two rooms, but you can do it all in one with some work.
I unfortunately don't have the room for two systems so I had to combine. I have Magnepan 3.6's and don't use a center channel, but in order to do this properly you need a processor that can allow a phantom center with depth, volume, and placement adjustments. I went with the Meridian 568 and it works great, but I could probably get equally good sound with a lesser system in a seperate room.
The two channel stuff is more complicated. I needed to deal with the TV in the center (which you don't have), seperate power supplies for the TV, DVD, and processor, two channel preamp with theater loop etc. The simple answer is use two rooms, but you can do it all in one with some work.