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Wake up and get with it!! The Audio formats may not be settled out, but Dolby Dig 5.1 for movies is a must if you are even thinking about watching a DVD movie!
With multichannel DVD-Audio and SACD promised and the increasing pressure to add high-quality 5.1 audio to video systems, has the number of channels in your listening room increased?
A couple of years ago, I bought a Denon AVC-A1 and a Toshiba DVD and added the necessary speakers. The Denon integrated is awesome, much better than my old Meridian/Nad separates, and DVD has given me new opportunities to invite friends, it's great!
If I could afford Levinson's and really high-end gear, I'd think hard about 5.1. But I can't and I know it. I think it better to spend my audio dollar improving my two-channel setup. And let me let you in on a secret: two-channel does a real good job on video as well.
My preference for serious music listening is still through 2 channels, but since I watch movies on DVD, I have configured my system in a way that I can quickly switch from dedicated 2-channel to a 5.1 surround-sound system. Enjoy both worlds that way.
I can spend the same amount of money and get better components with two channels. Besides, with the format changing all the time, I can just add a processor and three channels to my two channel system if needed sometime in the future when the dust clears.
While I do have a dedicated HT system, I've been toying with the idea of adding surround to my audio system as well. Something that wouldn't compromise the existing two channel setup. And since I've just reaquired my old Kenwood SS-79 Dolby Surround processor (not Pro-Logic!) I can hook it up to the second set of pre-outs on my Adcom GFP-555II, add a pair of speakers, and I'm surrounded!
Surround sound does not make movies "look" better than our current grungy VHS format. A simply HI-FI hook up to your VCR is great but the surround feature is more of a gimmick than anything else. I tried it with a top of the line Yamaha, and went back to Adcom separates and better main speakers. Music sounds much better on a "real" stereo than a surround system. --Ed Legenza
Currently I have a stereo setup with Dolby Pro Logic using mains and sub only. I have all the parts for HT except DVD. Although I'd like to see the surround-sound folks get their butts in gear and create a format for fidelity, not profit.
Much more interested in obtaining realistic reproduction in my listening room than being concerned with the number of channels required to do that. Am continuing to improve my 2-channel system at this time and will continue this route until I see a stable market of multichannel software & equipment. Current primary interest is in upgrading CD playback. Am reading with great interest about upsampling as well as higher bit-rate/word-length CDs. But with current catalogs of CDs, it appears the most intelligent path is to either wait it out or go with upsampling, as in the dCS or similar equipment.
I will never let my listening experience be compromised by adding surround sound or a video monitor. To become involved emotionaly with the music your brain should be able to convey what you perceive is happening and not let some TV dictate what you should be thinking.