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Why is 2 Channel better than multi-channel?

I hear that the music fidelity of a multi-channel AV Receiver/Integrated amp can never match the sounds produced by a 2 channel system. Can someone clearly explain why this is so?

I'm planning to upgrade my HT system to try and achieve the best of both worlds, I currently have a 3 channel amp driving my SL, SR, C and a 2 channel amp driving my L and R.
I have a Denon 3801 acting as my pre. Is there any Pre/Proc out there that can merge both worlds with out breaking my bank? Looking for recommendations on what my next logical steps should be? Thanks in advance.
springowl

Showing 2 responses by snipes

snipes
119 posts
 
Cinematic_Systems: Could you clarify the following statement for me please? "There is no real decoding, except for system adjustment like distance your seated from the speakers." It's the decoding that is what I'm trying to grasp. Are you using decoding in the Digital -> Analogue sense and there is no 5 channel feed or something different? The reason I ask is it seems to me in a multi-channel environment regardless of what the source is sending it, the processor algorithms are what decides what goes to each speaker. That seems to imply the processor is one of the most important pieces in the chain. Following that same logic, makes me wonder why so many claim a mid priced receiver, with sufficient power of course, is all that is needed to get great surround sound.

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is, is it all the processor's interpreted sound fields or something else?
snipes
119 posts
 
Kal,
I'm still a bit confused. When you talk about the recording engineer deciding what goes to each individual channel, are you strictly talking about multi-channel recordings like DVD-A and SACD? I was thinking more along the lines of regular old redbook CD and running that through the processor for 2,3,5, etc. channel playback.

Thanks
Brad
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