surround processor?

Nice try. But I still have to give the nod to all your base are belong to us.

My point is that one can assemble a 2-channel setup of choice and if that setup includes a preamp with a by-pass input, it can also serve as the front LR for a surround setup without doing harm to stereo performance. I assembled a stereo setup comprised of an Ayre QX-5 Twenty Roon endpoint, Ayre DX-5 DSD disc player, Ayre P-5xe phonostage, Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp, and VX-5 Twenty amp using balanced connections. Only later did I add balanced input from a Bryston SP3 processor. I dispute the contention that just connecting the SP3 to the KX-5 harms stereo quality. I don’t perceive any degradation, and I’ve done a lot of listening in a psychoacoutics lab. To address another objection, if one is inclined to allocate all available funds to a stereo setup, then obviously anything that diverts funds reduces funds available for stereo. I’m not so inclined.

For your information. I currently have a Lyngdorf headed my way. The 8805 Marantz I’m using is headed to my Sons, but I have a new, sealed, in the box Lexicon MC-10 that I purchased and before taking out of the box moved on to this Lyngdorf. I wanted to try the Lexicon because of Dirac Room Correction. I’m selling it for 2800, which is severely discounted. I’m just looking to move it .. Here is the review ..

https://youtu.be/UbKipNwY1iY

How do you like being told surround is crap?

An irrefutable statement like that is unhinged.

Sure, not everyone is going to like home theatre, especially those trapped in the stereo past from last century, but the insistence is dreadful.

Comes across as a god statement.

How many movie theaters have sound only coming from the front?  Not sure what else there is to argue about.