Which came first, the chicken or the egg

Hi Leafs, I think the point I was mentioning will be sooner than 5 years. I appreciate just how well served we have been by records and stereo equipment, but certainly that can't be the last word. Stereo itself was a compromise. If I am not mistaken, those who designed the first stereo set ups wanted a third channel, but though it impractical for public acceptance at that time. I have heard some fantastic vinyl rigs directly compared to SACD, and both had certain aspects that were superior to the other. Vinyl edged out the 2 channel SACD player by a nose. It is still early in the lifespan of that technology, and that was before 5 channel SACD was introduced. Of course there will be silly approaches to mixing for 5 channels, but engineers will get the hang of it , and when a recording is done from start to finish with 5 channel SACD or DVD-A in mind, with top artists and engineers I don't think even the best vinyl rigs will be as impressive. It just takes too much money for the average audiophile to get to that level right now. Yes, I can see the day coming when 10.2 channels will be the norm for high end Home Theater/surround audio, but should we stop progress just because it seems like overkill today? I bet in 30 years there will be a thin panel or two that hangs on the wall and excites the room, reproducing absolutely realistic audio, kind of like Star Trek (pardon the analogy), and all those bulky speakers will go in the trash, but until then, I am planning my 5.1 system for growth, and am ready for two more channels or 5.1 more channels if needs be. I get a real kick out of sounding better than any theater I've been to, and having a damn good 2 channel playback when I am in that mood, (which is quite often) I just hope I have a bigger apartment by then! By the way, I doubt anyone ever bought a CD player thinking "now I have perfect sound forever". Also the last time heard 140 watt Vac monoblocks run out of steam when really cranked, the distortion was as annoying as any obvious distortion. What kind of distortion are you talking about? The only obvious solid state distortion I have heard is when it starts beating up an anemic speaker.

Hey AG, what happened to my "edit this post"? I really appreciate being able to amend an error or two.

whatjd you need to go to :" get a life.com." Yes I have ordered and paid for some equipment, but after reading and asking for advice, aren't I allowed to ask other people's opinion, and then "change my mind"????? What a concept!!!!
Have you ever changed your mind? Or even thought about it? You're probably too busy criticizing everyone else.
You haven't been "had", I don't have time for games. I just wanted some good advice from people that have travelled the road ahead of me. So if you don't have anything constructive to add to this post, go bug somebody else.

Blob7, No. You can't change your mind. And you have to be %100 consistent too. Otherwise people will dig through your previous posts and pick you to death. You don't have a lot to choose from, so it was really easy in your case. And even though you are new, you should know that is always easier than bucking up with something constructive. Now............... back to your inquiry.

Have you seen the latest thread on progressive scan DVD players? I post some links there that you really should consider reading. There is also some very sound advice given by some of our fine membership in that thread.

bmpnyc,sounds like you may be able to help me.I guess I am fortunate to have the space to keep them seperate.My fondness of Tube sound requires both.Also need to have something to do when the Kids and wife get their Muchmusic/MTV fix.Not my cup of tea.I have Humble HT setup and I am looking to make some upgrades.I have a Marantz Sr 880 Reciever I am looking for suggestions on a Sub.I have Coincident Triumph for front and center Channel and a 20 year old pair of EPI 100's for rears.
I sure hope theses new formats do deliver.CD did not.If you speak to the averge person (Non-Audiophile)they looked shocked and think your an idiot when you tell them analog sounds better.
Point is they act this way because the mainstream press has told them CD is better.
I hope the new formats are better and not that people think they are becasue they where told to belive this.I am not speaking about people on this site in general.
I am speaking about the average person.Its the average person who needs to buy into these formats for them to be succesful.
I want to see 500.00 SACD/DVD-A/DVD/V/CDR all in one machine and in a couple of years see 199.00 units on the shelf.
When this happens the software will pour onto the shelvs.You wont have to make the descsion on which format you want.
Average Joe got burned on Beta/Vhs.He does not want to get burrned again.
Theses new formats wont survive if they are geared to Audiophiles only.

Take my comments in context.They are based on my fondness for tubes.Putting 5 tube amps in a HT makes for to warm a room.
So if you have 50K to spend and 2 rooms to do it in keep them seperate.If you dont,remember you will be making compromises between 2 channel and 5 channel.