Thanks to all that have posted. Over the years, I’ve gone from a 5:2, 5:4:2 and now back to 2 channel for a second/TV system. I found putting your money into a simple but high quality 2 channel system is far more rewarding and better sounding than any surround system
My DAC, by EC Designs located in the Netherlands, works really well for a TV system. This R2R DAC takes only one input, which is Toslink. The serial input is clocked through a serial-in-parallel-out buffer, resulting little to no jitter according to the designer/manufacturer.
I’ve now ordered a pair of studio monitors purchased blind. They are an interesting design. Coax, sealed box, a/b amplification, and active crossovers. And I have the option to purchase a pair of matching bass extenders. I’m looking forward to their arrival next week.
Studio monitors for a 2-channel TV based system may not be for everyone. But in my mind, you can’t beat the simplicity, eliminating surround processors, amps, etc. And the purpose built amps and active crossovers that come built in with studio monitors makes them no brainer for this application.