Pick your poison...2-channel or multi?


This post is just to get a general ideas among audiophiles and audio enthusiasts; to see who really likes what. Here's the catch!

If you were restricted to a budget of $10,000, and wanted to assemble a system, from start to finish, which format would you choose, 2 channel or mulichannel?

I'll go first and say multichannel. I've has to opportunity to hear a multichannel setup done right and can't see myself going back to 2-channel. I'm even taking my system posting down and will repost it as a multichannel system.

So...pick your poison! Which one will it be, 2-channel or multichannel.
cdwallace
McGrogan,

I have a multi-kilobuck turntable, I was in business and there are hundreds of people who felt like you...and now they don't. All I tell you has been tested quite thoroughly on the general audiophile public.

What I am trying to impress upon you but you're are fighting me all the way, is you can't bring down surround because some bad limited experience and the direct experience you have is badly flawed by poor equipment choices and expecting a digital product to work like an analog one. C'mon man, you make these smart comments demeaning the rest of us and our equipment, and you haven't

Your determination of superiority of the CP-60 to the Anthem for example, was of course running an analog source through the units? Who does that an expects similar results? Do you actually equate a $2500 prepro with all its functionality to a simple analog $2000 preamplifier....don't you think that's a bit unfair? Aren't we overlooking the CD player in the cost of the analog pre's performance?

Wasn't it a VK5D? so that's like $5K, so what $7000 prepro did you listen too and compare? Because you don't need an expensive cd player at your price point when you have a prepro to be your DAC.

This is a little anecdote that I think will be of interest to you.

In an 18 month period the store I worked at sold 65 Meridian 568's, only about half of them for theater first installations.

In that same period we sold 1 VK5se, 4 VK3, 1 VK5 (demo) and 1 CP60 demo and 2 SSP30's.

The people voted with their wallets, and our store was very high end. www.jsaudio.com
When you admit to not being able to setup your surround system properly nor having it work for months, it is a bit disingenuous to blame surround sound for this issue.

Edwards,

I think you are reffering to the problems I had with a MSB modified PAV. It was junk, well actually MSB made it junk. It wasn't that I don't know how to set up a system, MSB f#@*ed up my PAV. Setting up surround is much easier than setting up a turntable.
I also owned a Classe SSP-30 and a Anthem AVM-20, both stock, they worked fine for SSP, but when I put a Classe CP-60 stereo preamp in my system it was all over. No SSP came close to the tonal harmonic structure. I gave up on SSP's for music and went back to two channel. I've since heard other surround systems at friend's home's and audio salon's, nothing that makes me want to listen though.

I'm sure that no one knows how to properly set up a surround system but you though, so these would all be invalid. You should go into business for yourself. I'm sure all of us idiots would throw out our multi-kilo turntables and seperates and gladly hand you $10K+ to show us how music really sounds. ;^`

FWIW, most folks are stunned when they hear my system also. They think Bose and surround sound is what music is all about.

So folks like your system, folks like my system, and there we have today's update.
McGrogan,

When you admit to not being able to setup your surround system properly nor having it work for months, it is a bit disingenuous to blame surround sound for this issue.

The fact you couldn't get your center speaker to blend is not surround sounds fault nor is it indicative of surround sound.

What it characterizes is poor setup or simply the speaker you chose for a center channel was poorly designed or matched to your left and right speaker.

I hope after all these discussion you don't think my surround system sounded anything like yours? When you take the time to research and buy appropriate speakers and get your center channel to blend such that your three speakers image better than two speakers. Then you are on my level, until you do that...something very possible, Then you're making progress toward what one of my systems sound like.

Perfect image...I have had hundreds of people listen and agree.

Do it on your HT, it only makes the movies that much better.
11-09-06: Cdwallace
Thanks JMC

I would've guessed no brain..er, as well!

Enjoy
Cdwallace (Threads | Answers)

Don't quite your day job CeeDee!
gentlemen: how many channels does live, unamplified music have ?

let's trade in our stereo systems for concert tickets.
Eandylee - would you be willing to be walked through the process to better enhance your MC system?

It seems as if you have a good grasp of things, but there could be more potential to bring out of it; which could sway you opinion to the other side.

No long drawn out process, just a little extra help. And it won't cost you a dime. You keep your own equipment. Sounds like something that would interest you?
"Secondly, while Trifield and DPLII are nice and have it's own merits, however it's not necessary better than pure 2 ch stereo.
- Trifield/DPLII provide great imaging effect and sense of filling the space.
- Stereo feels more natural and smooth."

That statement is completely opposite of my experience.

Have you customized your trifields for differnt types of music?

If your 2 channel sounds more natural than the triield, change the trifield setting until they sound the same as your 2 channel sound....but it weill never go that far

What I don't understand is the same guy who will put his speaker cables on stilts, have some high school drop out put tubes in his DVD player etc and it never occurs to them to maybe play with the levels/ distances the treble and bass to make the processor sound the way they want.
eandy my Meridian has 8 different trifeild setting to match the scale of the music I'm listening too, this way there's no way 2 channel can sound more natural. The parameters are adjustable for a reason, you can make trifield sound just like two channel if you wanted to, I actually can mimick other systems by fine tuning the adjustments. Keeep digging my friend, its a new type of system, you must learn new ways to adjust it.
I've done a lot of thinking and research on this subject.

There are different formats of multi channels.
Generally two different kinds

1. DPL, DPLII(x), Trified by Meridian, Logic 7 by Lexicon, etc..., which from the two channel source, ie. Redbook CD, generates multi channels.

2. SACD, DAD-Audio which are music sources recorded multichannel to begin with.

I started with multi channel music in mind, and I'm a kind of guy like simple solutions. I picked Meridian as the center of my system. Now I have 561M and 861V2, but I'm going back to 2ch for music listening becuase,

First I don't have much SACD & DVD-Audio sources... I'll probably not have much for a while... but I have hundreds of redbook CD sources.

Secondly, while Trifield and DPLII are nice and have it's own merits, however it's not necessary better than pure 2 ch stereo.
- Trifield/DPLII provide great imaging effect and sense of filling the space.
- Stereo feels more natural and smooth.

I guess with the right setup, I think you can get either by either format.

Thirdly, to have really good multi channel system with matching 5-7 speakers, amps, cables etc, it cost more than double...

Thus within a certain budget, I concluded that I better concentrate on 2ch for music listening in my case.
No brainer....2 channel. Multi-channel is great for movies, not so good for music, IMHO.
Greetings Cdwallace;

First my apologies as I'm currently well outside your budget of ten thousand dollars, didn't read your initial post before responding.

While I'm sure we could all spend more to obtain that next best component or upgrade, whats important to me may not be important to you or others.

Fair enough, now in terms of whats important to me in the context of my system and its overall performance relating to both movies as well as multichannel...

Full range sound with appropriate dynamic scale for both musical content as well as the movie effects...

To keep the main channels, center channel and surrounds cone driver properties identical along with amplification for final voicing for seamless surround....

A wide dispersion speaker for various listening positions off axis very conducive to hometheatre minus the penalties of sweet spots...About all I feel it gives up are pinpoint imaging and perhaps it doesn't reach the heavens in uppermost frequencies the way a ribbon Magneplaner will...Although separation and general location of performers is rendered complete..

Plenty of Quality power on tap along with plenty of cone drivers to handle the power and deliver proper SPLs, Plenty of headroom available for dynamics...And with two Bag End 18 in. subs along with a Mirage BPS400 for .1 effects....

The performance really speaks for itself and is really a must here for final listener dependant specifics, but safe to say in my world it truly satisfies with excellent renditions of performers playing , instrumental tones along with what I feel is tremendous dynamic shading, suspending disbelief, allowing you to really become immersed in the recorded event, be it multichannel movies, concerts or two channel listening.
The combination of tubes in my sources and Plinius amplification are almost magical and very satisfying never imparting any sense of fatigue. System involvement takes on a new level as many instances it becomes hard to remove yourself from the afternoons playback, turning it off almost induces a feeling of regret.
Now with that being said this system is a labor of love on my part that took many countless hours of research, auditioning at various dealers, and final tweaking of speaker placement, tubes nos, interchanging and mixing of cables, powerline conditioning, etc... and is very much a sum of all the parts synergisticly performing as one to achieve my desired results. Not to mention the cost which incidentally was substantial as I prefer buying new, knowing very well I wont be letting any of this go. Hows it sound?

Very musically satisfying as well as involving, TREMENDOUS!!!

Regards /// Tim W... ///
Tim...thanks for the very thorough breakdown of your system. Looks like you've dropped a nice penny into it.

Hows the performance?
Multichannel/ 2 channel integrated--

Mirage OM6 omnipolars mains-
Mirage OM10s surrounds-
Mirage MC2 center channel-
2 Bag End 18 inch Stereo Infrasubs w/8htz. response
Mirage BPS400 .1 effects sub

2 Plinius SA102s in Xlr Dual mono, Pure class A 1 silver/ 1 black - powering mains
Plinius P8 200 Watt Class A/ab for center
Plinius SA100mk3 Pure Class A-- surrounds
Plinius M8 W/HT. Bypass 2 Channel preamp

Pioneer VSX-74TXVi Surround Receiver used for processor
Pioneer 59 AVI DVD SACD/DVD Audio
Toshiba SD3109 w/HDCD
2 Sony CDPCX 400 jukeboxes foe pcm redbook
Monarchy 24/96 DIP
Sony C222ES SACD 2 Channel/ Multichannel

Pioneer 730 65 inch CRT HD

Magnum Dynalab 102 Triode tuner w/remote / Mullard nos,match.pr Gold faceplate
Kora Hermes 24/192 DAC with 1975 Mullard cryovalves match pr.

Speaker Cables / High Current dumping...
Transparent Bi-cables on mains
Transparent Plus Bi-bis on center
Transparent Plus Bis on surrounds

Siltech SQ28 from 102s to M8 pre-
Transparent Ultra from 2 Channel sources to Plinius M8-
Also from processor mains front channels to M8-
Transparent Super powercorsd on SA amps and Kora DAC-
Glass toslinks for CDPCX 400s-
3 dedicated 20 amp/220 volt outlets-
Current design pc plus surpressor/ protection

Cable Elevators
Cardas logo caps

Lovan Classic Series component stands flanking monitor
Adona Amplifier stands Silver w/wt. marble for silver SA100mk3/102---Black w/ blue pearl granite for black 102...

I see things going multichannel per sound in life is 360 degrees so it shall eventually be in home reproduction feeling that once proper microphones are placed accordingly for live music etc.. art will eventually imitate life.

No compromises in my system, wonderful. Im ready....

Enjoy ;o}

Regards /// Tim W...///
Wow...I must be doing something wrong here. I would've never thought $14k to spend on audio gear is considered "limited" funds.
2 channel, hands down, especially at that price point. To add more boxes with such limited funds doom one to plastic dreck.
CdWallace,
Sorry for waiting so long to get back to you. On a Reel to Reel the amount of tracks will refer to the amount of channels, but the most you can have is two (comerically).
With a 2 track, only two tracks are recorded and it takes the entire playable side of the tape. This results in a superior sound quality because there is more room to store musical information. 4 track means that the one playable side is split in 4 tracks, two for side A, and you flip the tape around for the other two tracks of side B. The last stereophile show in NYC they had a Amprex 2 inch 30 IPS original master tape and of what I heard this sounded astounding. I would wholeheartly suggest that everyone try to get a chance to listen to open reel tape. And if you dare, pick up a deck on Ebay and some factory pre-recorded Amprex, Magtec or columba at 7.5 IPS and judge for yourself. I had to upgrade my cartridge because of the superiority of open reel tape.
Ted...no blood no foul. Glad to see someone else has at least considered MC. This is mindset I'm running to more and more with audiophiles. Few have even considered MC. Fewer have actually heard a setup. They hate it, partially because almost none have heard it done correctly to properly judge. My biggest goal is to push the envelope and try to give MC the much needed exposure. If that means posing questions such as this or trying to somewhat educate, then so be it. I just don't was MC to be written off so quickly without it being considered as "audiophile worthy" as 2CH.

Sometimes I have to take the more aggressive posture only to show the seriousness of the hobby. Besides, I don't want anyone to take my milk money anymmore. :) I've only been in this thing for 3 years; I have a lots of growing to do.

Thanks for you posting and happy listening, Ted.
Cdwallace,
My post was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but no one can ever tell on the 'net, so nevermind. Sorry you took it any other way.

The 7.1 surround format is mainly one of derived or matrixed 5.1 stuff, with side speakers helping to steer well-derived pans from front to back. I've been living in the 7.1 world with movies since Lexicon first intro'd Logic7 years ago. The first real true discrete 7.1 stuff will not be here until the newer HD audio formats are outputted 7.1 (HDMI 1.3 and /or 7.1 analog inputs become standard).

I appreciate any and all threads that discuss mch music. I love it. (but don't love it any more than great 2 channel.....always have to love both children the same, right).
Ted...thanks for the response the to question that is not a question because it doesn't have a question mark....go figure. Please excuse the grammatical errors. I was hoping to pose the initial question in the beginning, with a ? of course, and complete the thought thereafter with a (.). By no means imposing any impression of bitternesss. Cynical...to some degree...sure why not! Input does = output!!

Charge it to the head and not the heart. Now I know mispelled words and puntuation "bear more weight" then the content, which seems to be the norm with many; I'll try at all cost to be more careful in the future.

I can tell you didn't read much of the previously posted thread or else you have a better understanding as to who the question was initially presented for. Not a problem though, because you confirmed my assumptions that at least one other person, other than myself was aware of the similarities between 2ch and MC. I'm glad you were able to conclude what the mispelling of durived ment...thanks for getting the point!!!

Glad to see there are audiophile who can appreciate both 2ch and MC together, even though you don't have a preference. Please keep in mind, its not an ultimatum to pick between the two; just a thread to see who would pick what, hence the original posting...please see the top of pg 1 for further details. Thanks for your input on the gon, and many others you patronize.

There's plenty of "poison" to pass around. So...if you decide in the future, MC will be here.

Thanks and Happy Listening

PS - I'm having the toughest time finding any media in 7.1? Especially for movies! Any suggestions.
Metralla...thanks for the post but I think I'm a little lost. You wouldn't be suggesting people, whether 2ch or MC, are listening to interference, are you? Cause if you are, I don't think you gonna have many happy audiophiles. :)

However, I do believe I see where you're headed. In theory, yes. Just as a properly setup 2ch system produces the euphoric soundstage soooo many audiophile rave about, for the most part, the same rules apply for MC to acheive this outcome. Difference is, your actually working with five "stereo pairs". L to C, C to R, R to SR, SR to SL, and SL to L.

But just one other thing though. Just as audiophiles don't imagine thier "phemonemon" taking place between thier two speakers, MC listeners don't have to imagine either. WHY? because the same things 2chers are hearing takes place for MC, only 5 times over within the 5+1 speakers.
You know how when a 2Ch setup is locked in, the sound stage is detailed, deep and wide? Now imagine, if you will, this same phenomenon taking place, when done correctly, 5 times over.
I'm all for a thought experiment, Cdwallace.

If 2 speakers use interference effects to produce a soundfield (stereo), then 5 speakers arranged in the ITU pattern should produce interference effects from all pairs. Should we not then "imagine this same phenomenon taking place 10 times over"?

Regards,
CDwallace,
No one has responded cuz there's no question! It's a diatribe by you about 5.1 and 360 degree sound. A question ends with a question mark.....like this....What is your question?

If it's "Are you aware that the very essense of MC is durived from the same principles of 2CH?" then yes, I am...not sure what durived means, but yes.

I love hirez mch surround, have lots invested in 5.1 (and 7.1 for movies) and have posted many times here and on AVS, the Asylum, etc about it. But IMO it's not one or the other; stereo and mch are two different formats. I love them both, for very different reasons. No poison for me.
I've noticed that no one has responded to the previously mentioned question I posed a few postings ago. I must say, its not my intention to be a pest about this, but I'm more than curious as to what legitimite answer anyone can come up with. Sooo.....back by popular demand...I'm posting the same question for the third time. Thanks for you patients!!

Are you aware that the very essense of MC is durived from the same principles of 2CH? Here's the easiest and most practical way I can explain it. Its like getting the same stereo magic between each of the 5 speakers. You know how when a 2Ch setup is locked in, the sound stage is detailed, deep and wide? Now imagine, if you will, this same phenomenon taking place, when done correctly, 5 times over. The results are truely amazing, not a gimmick.

Not only that but the purpose of the five is to really perform like one! Lost you didn't I. You see, when the 5 have been setup and calibrated properly, it creates a 360 degree soundfield. This is just as if your hearing the instrument or voice in front of you (in its orginial intended placement) and the reverb, echo attack and decay, ect...all around you. As if the performance was taking place in the room with you.

Metralla...Glad I could help. If you do have a MC question, or even something that you've been wondering about MC, feel free to ask away. However, this forum was intended to help demistify MC, and enlighten 2CHer in the area of MC.
"How do you get surround sound from 2 channels. By synthesis?"

Actually Metralla every stereo disc has surround information on it, all you need to do is study a little about the pick up patterns of microphones and mic arrays.

Also realise that all reverb, and delay algorithms are modeled for 360 degrees, not 180, which is all two channel has to offer.

This to me IS the big issue with digital and why it has a noticeable brightness to it when played in 2 channels, there is information compressed onto the soundstage, and since it is room reverberation, or 360 degree delay processing, or just out of phase noise, this information when not moved to its rightful place in the soundfield (rear channels) will negatively impact the spectral balance of playback. A good example is any live albome with an active crowd, most of these recordings are edgy because the crowd is not mic'd and the off axis response of the microphone and the quantity of them, plus room tone and on and on, gets placed between you and the subject, click on surround and the subject (singer etc) smoothes out immensely, your emmerssed in the crowd and all that "noise" is no longer smashed into the front stage, messing up the performer.
So ThomJohn...where were we?

"did you do much listening of 2ch CD's in surround? How did you like it?"
Don't have the time to bring you up to speed of its origin and how it works, but its a little known secret called processing! Basic knowledge of such is assumed and should be acquired prior to engaging in even the most casual conversations regarding MC and 2CH.

I'm sure there are plenty books and write ups for your reading pleasure available on both the internet and in your local bookstore.

Not sure where you were headed or implying with the question, but here is the civilized answer.

Any futher questions, Metralla?
Cdwallace writes:
did you do much listening of 2ch CD's in surround? How did you like it?
How do you get surround sound from 2 channels. By synthesis?

Regards,
Thanks for the post ThomJohn...did you do much listening of 2ch CD's in surround? How did you like it?
I recently went back to 2 channel. I had a nice music only MCH setup and enjoyed it a lot. The only problem was the dirth of MCH SACDs and DVD-Audios.
New releases are almost gone now and the selection was never very good to begin with. I've upgraded my DAC to where digital sounds almost as good as my vinyl. SACD and DVD-A in stereo is fine. There's actually much more new vinyl available than new Hi-Rez digital. My HT is surround, but not my stereo room now.
Madhf...thanks for the post. Glad to see someone who enjoyed MC from its infant stages until now. If you loved MC then, I can only amagine how much you're enjoying MC of today. Technology can be a wonderful thing. Viva MC!!!
Hi CDwallace,
My poision is without a doubt multichannel!!! I have been listening to multichannel since 1971--yes quad 8tracks and reel to reel as well as matrix surround. To date the greatest component developed yet is the Angstron 200. I say this because I have not heard either dts or DD sound better. But the real magic is the Mike Moffitt's algorythem of matrix surround sound from 2ch cd. I have not heard a 2ch source that hasn't sounded richer a fuller than with the simple matrix! The only disappointment has been with SACD mc. To much noise and distorion in rear channels. For discreet surround nothing surpasses dts in mho. Long live mc!!
Judging my the lack of dialog I would assume 1 of 2 things, either everyone is just so asstounded they can't comment or no one really cares.

Sad part about it is, this forum is missing information such as this, practical information. Not spend another $800 for .5 meter speaker cable or switch out the components until you find the "right match", no matter how long that takes or how much it costs. If you don't, then you'll never achieve a holistic sound or warm smeared feeling to everything you play.

But hey, "you'll" get tired of component swapping and spending money only to get more frustrated because you're still in the same place you were before. Only this time you'll have even less money and 4th or 5th-hand used components.

When the times comes, practicality will be here, and so will MC.
After giving it some thought, maybe some are confused as to the location of the previously posted question. Either that or many are still processing the very basic explanation. So...that being said I've copied it below.

-------Question primarily for 2CH'rs, but all are welcome to answer-----------

Is everyone aware that the very essense of MC is durived from the same principles of 2CH? Here's the easiest and most practical way I can explain it. Its like getting the same stereo magic between each of the 5 speakers. You know how when a 2Ch setup is locked in, the sound stage is detailed, deep and wide? Now imagine, if you will, this same phenomenon taking place, when done correctly, 5 times over. The results are truely amazing, not a gimmick.

Not only that but the purpose of the five is to really perform like one! Lost you didn't I. You see, when the 5 have been setup and calibrated properly, it creates a 360 degree soundfield. This is just as if your hearing the instrument or voice in front of you (in its orginial intended placement) and the reverb, echo attack and decay, ect...all around you. As if the performance was taking place in the room with you.

I'm really starting to see that people don't understand what I and other are getting at. It can be a tough concept to grasp at first. Trust me it was tough for me too. But when someone with more experience and complete understanding took me through the process, it clicked. Then I was able to replicate this same thing myself...on my system. My system has its limitations, more than what my mentor's system had. But the same principles apply. The results were still similar. Similar enough to know I knew what I was doing.

I have a long ways to go, but I'm on the right track.
If its OK with everyone, please refer back to the question I posted yesterday. It would be interesting to hear everyones views.

Thanks
CDwallace, I agree. We all find our poison in the end as you have mentioned.
Phd - my humble appologies for becoming unglued. I'm the result of 3 years of ridicule by other 2ch audiophiles. If I read something that reminds me of what I went through with other, I have a tendency to become a bit abrasive. It was not intended for you...the post just brought back a few memories, thats all. Like everyone else, I truely respect your opinion and thank you for your insight.

IMHO, I think you may have given up on MC prematurely. Not that it was even your fault though. Few have the first hand understanding to be of any help. Many tend to be more of a hinderance then anything. I think if you gave it another shot, may be with a little help, you may consider coming back to MC.

You have your priorities though, so if expanding from your receiver isn't one of them, then go with what works for you.
Like 883dave put it, if it brings a smile to your face, then what does the median matter?

My focus should be to help educate, not deliberate. Thats what an audiophile SHOULD be all about, agree?
Maybe this will help a little.

--------Question primarily for 2CH'rs-----------

Are you aware that the very essense of MC is durived from the same principles of 2CH? Here's the easiest and most practical way I can explain it. Its like getting the same stereo magic between each of the 5 speakers. You know how when a 2Ch setup is locked in, the sound stage is detailed, deep and wide? Now imagine, if you will, this same phenomenon taking place, when done correctly, 5 times over. The results are truely amazing, not a gimmick.

Not only that but the purpose of the five is to really perform like one! Lost you didn't I. You see, when the 5 have been setup and calibrated properly, it creates a 360 degree soundfield. This is just as if your hearing the instrument or voice in front of you (in its orginial intended placement) and the reverb, echo attack and decay, ect...all around you. As if the performance was taking place in the room with you.

I'm really starting to see that people don't understand what I and other are getting at. It can be a tough concept to grasp at first. Trust me it was tough for me too. But when someone with more experience and complete understanding took me through the process, it clicked. Then I was able to replicate this same thing myself...on my system. My system has its limitations, more than what my mentor's system had. But the same principles apply. The results were still similar. Similar enough to know I knew what I was doing.

I have a long ways to go, but I'm on the right track.
Cdwallace, I'm not offended at all with comments & your general opinion of audiophiles or where you stand on multichannel verus two channel. The forums are full of opinions including mine. There was a thread started some time ago about what audiophiles do for a living. Many are highly educated folks from all walks of life. You started this thread and I offered my thoughts on the subject then you became unglued.

Anyway my reference to mediocre sound is my what I think that most of the general public will accept till someone can show them what they have been missing and some don't care as long as the gear does its job.

Anyway I have before enthusiasticly embraced multichannel/surround sound. I purchased several power amps of the same brand & power, coupled to a two channel preamp with theater pass through with an external processor. All my speakers are very large except for the center. I enjoyed my movies tremendously & with this setup, music was satisfying as well. Over time I lost interest in this type of setup wanting to go back to two channel only and put my dollars there. I recently purchased just the receiver for multichannel playback which is seldom used. That is my priority and for anyone else, you can do whatever turns you on.
Dave...you've truly given me a reality check! Some people get it and some don't. Sad to say, but you may be right...I am and audiophile. Just not THAT kind of audiophile. It gets frustrating to hear such mumbo come from people who have many more years in the hobby than I. Then when I make my case, I'm told I don't know what I'm talking about because I have only 3 years under my belt.

You're right though!! I should revert my passion in another direction.

I already know the answer but I can't help but to ask myself "why won't they at least give it shot?" I'm not the type to put someone down because they were wrong. I'm happy if someone corrects the error.

I was told I would be the one of the only few who chose to take the red pill over the blue!!

PS- Thanks for the great deal on your thoughts.
CD...

Here is a definition from Merriam Websters dictionary.

Main Entry: au·dio·phile
Pronunciation: 'o-dE-O-"fI(-&)l
Function: noun
: a person who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction

Notice how this does not differenciate between 2 channel, multichannel, mono, or even ipod headphones...

You seem very enthusastic about your multichannel high fidelity sound reproduction so I hate to be the one to break it to you, all bulling aside (lol), but in every sense of the word you have become an AUDIOPHILE.

Ps...I found your posts more informative when you were selling the virtues of Multichannel. Not when you have tried to debase other peoples beliefs that differ from yours. An eye for an eye so to speak.

These forums are full of people trying to sell their product and beliefs, Multichannel, two channel, transistor radio...what does the medium matter as long as the music brings a smile to your face.

If you want the people of the world to know, embrace, and maybe convert...sell your ideas, and let the idiots go on with their delusions.

Just my $20.00 worth (adjusted for inflation)
Phd -

Thanks for your post but you've accomplished nothing but proving one of many points I've made before. Audiophiles have somehow convinced themselves that Multichannel is a gimmick; only to keep from realizing they have needlessly spent far too much money on product that can't accomplish what a system half its price can do effortlessly. Beleive it or not, audiophiles..in thier infinite psuedo-wisdom...can be wrong too.

"Multichannel is for movies, nothing more, nothing less. I use a quality surround sound receiver for movies and it does a darn good job there but it sucks for music."

Clarify..if you will. Are you referring that YOUR quality MC receiver sucks for music. Sounds like user error to me. Care to explain how you have your system setup? If we tackle the basics then maybe we can help you out with your music problem. That is unless you've been an audiophile too long to learn something new!!

"In addition some of you are buying into more channels is better than less when time has proven that two channels for music is superior."

Tell that to people who listen in MONO! Thats like saying a Mercedes Gulwing coupe is superior to a '06 Mercedes Benz SL600. The two can't compare. The Gulwing was the flagship....in its day! This was due purely to technological and other limitations. It couldn't out-anything the Benz of today. But as time progressed and limitations were overcome, the Benz has transformed into the beauty it is today. But the 600 does just about everything the Gulwing did and then some...20x better. Same goes for 2ch v MC. 2CH was the flagship and has been for a long while now. But just as the Gulwing, it was superior in it's day. Many people still chase after the Gulwing for nestalgic purposes and the same goes for 2CH. When coupled with a SET amp, turntable and 2500+ vinyl albums, you have an audiophiles dream. But lets face it, its all nestalgic. MC does everything 2CH did...much better.

"Support your local two channel dealership, keep multichannel where it belongs, movies only."

Glad everyone doesn't have that mindset. We'd still be living in the 50's.

"Why not, multichannel requires more dollars invested & the majority of Americans are satisfied with mediocre sound."

Have you invested more than $6000 in the 2ch system? If so, then your 2ch investment was more then what a MC system requires. BTW, I thought you said your MC reciever does a darn good job?" You wouldn't be implying that YOU'RE satisfied with "mediocre sound", are you?

"I am not surprised since some local hifi dealers reserve more room for multichannel products then they do for two channel, trying to sell as many boxes as they can."

Isn't that what dealers do...sell prodocts...? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that what forums like this are for? Helping those who have audio related problems, in the event they have any? Or are we so caught up in name dropping, speaker designer worshiping, and declaring how much and how long we've been an audiophile!!

--------General Statement----not for PHD only-------

"you are not an audiophile if your not a two channel guy, period."

This is the number one reason why I refuse to be an audiophile, even if I have ultra high end tube and 2ch equipment. Here's my take on some audiophiles. These particular audiophiles are the ones who never got picked for kickball, never was popular in school, always picked on, and have now emast so much knowledge and few have degree's to back it up, they have isolated themselves from everyone else.

Let me apologize to each of you, who ever you may be, for being picked and bullied as a child. It was wrong!!

Now that these parcticular audiophile have become adults, they've created this exclusive club, only for those of thier kind, to help releave the inferiority complex they've gotten when they were kids.

Let me further explain. That comment was NOT intended to offend for one particular person. Thats why I chose my words very carefully. It's NOT even my intention to offend audiophiles. If the shoe doesn't fit, don't try to cram it on your foot!!!! However...if for some reason you have taken offense to this, there is a high probability this "particular audiophile" I was refering to...is you. If that is the case, I apologize in advance. My intended purpose for the comment was not to offend, but to point out the ones who: 1) have or potentially have ruined it for people who may have thoughts about getting it the hobby, and 2) have made it difficult for everyone else to explain to others why this hobby is so great. This "particular audiophile" is the number one reason why I refuse to become one...even with a $20k 2ch SET/speaker system. To be perfectly honest, It ain't that serious!!!!!

Oh...before I forget, I've almost completed my glowing mystical chipmuck...for those who may be interest. However, it's only for 2CH SET systems. ;)
To summarize my view, in order of importance...

1..A center channel does wonders for imaging of the very-important soloist, vocal or instrument.

2..Surround channels give new dimension (pun) to two types of music.
a. Intimate classical chamber music, or Jazz, where the sonic perspective is that the performers are in the room with you. (As opposed to you being in their room).

b. Antiphonal music (composed for two or more separate choirs or orchestras). There was a lot of this composed in the past, but it fell by the wayside because stereo cannot reproduce it properly.

c. Ambience.

d. Improved sound (especially bass) because the speakers are driven less hard for a given room SPL.
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Phd: "In addition some of you are buying into more channels is better than less when time has proven that two channels for music is superior."
Time proves nothing nor do such assertions as yours. 2 channel has, since its beginning, been a compromise accepted only because of technical limitations. Now, if you want to assert that, for a given expenditure, you can get higher quality stereo componentry than if you spread that expenditure over 5+ channels, that's logic.

BTW, there's nothing to prevent one from playing stereo discs as two channel on ones multichannel system.

Kal
In addition some of you are buying into more channels is better than less when time has proven that two channels for music is superior. I am not surprised since some local hifi dealers reserve more room for multichannel products then they do for two channel, trying to sell as many boxes as they can. Why not, multichannel requires more dollars invested & the majority of Americans are satisfied with mediocre sound. Audiophiles represent a small segment of the population and most are right here on Audiogon. It is obvious that some of you have bought into this fiasco, contributing to the demise of two channel, may regret this later. Support your local two channel dealership, keep multichannel where it belongs, movies only.
It is my opinion you are not an audiophile if your not a two channel guy, period. Multichannel is for movies, nothing more, nothing less. I use a quality surround sound receiver for movies and it does a darn good job there but it sucks for music. The only thing connected to it is a DVD player. I don't even have an antenna attached for FM.