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It is actually just a large dedicated room (15'X25').
We were surprised at the results from last week's vote to see that so many readers have separate two-channel systems. So we're curious: where have you set up <I>your</I> main music system?
Our 50-year-old house doesn't have a separate room suitable for a listening room, so after my wife fell in love with it, we bought it with the understanding that my stereo gets to live in the living room. But I can't say with certainty that my wife has not come to regret this bargain.
My main system which consists of primariy Mark Levinson components driving Magnapan 3.6's is in the living room. I have also built up my secondary audio/video system to a level where I enjoy listening to it as much as the main system. It is primarily tube gear(Sonic Frontiers) driving Audio Physic's new Virgo 3 speakers, with a Velodyne sub. I went the surround path a few years ago but my wife and I so seldom watch movies, it just wasn't worth the time or expense, so it's just old fashioned two channel for the video experience.
We have recently moved to a new city and a smaller residence which nessitated having both a home theater system and 2 channel system in one. The Linn KanII's are actually now on a bedroom sytems as they simply didn't work so well with a 34" wide HDTV between these speakers. My Naim amplification is now simply a phono stage for my LP12, I recently purchased a Marantz SR5200, Energy Connoissuer c-7,c-1,cc1 package, Encore sub package - a suprisingly revealing system for what amounts to very good mid-fi. The big upside is the direct setting on the SR5200 which allows me to have 2 channel listening for LP listening. I have addition capabilties for DVD, DVD-A, DTS music etc. I am enjoying these new developing multi-channel mediums. As a music engineer and musician I can say that in my opinion these multi channel mediums will ultimately win out, but they are like listening to the first stereo recordings with instruments farting out of a speaker for the sheer novelty of it. I have yet to hear a cohesive mix where the soundstage truly extends beyond the boundries of the room like good home theater can. This will improve with time. Multi channel is here to stay. I have been dragged kicking & screaming into multi-channel music because of our new living space. I am happy I have been able to find what is seemingly a good compromise to a dedicated 2 channel room. Ah, they joys of married life!
My main system stands alone in my living room. I also have a 5.1 HT system in my family room. At some point (I'm seriously thinking about constructing a home theatre in my basement) I may integrate the systems. For now I'm very happy with discrete 2-channel and home theatre reproduction.