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By separating two-chanel audio and home theater (5.1 or 6.1), a better sound is obtained for each. However, the use of DTS NEO6 can make a stereo track sound amazing on a home theater system.
The times they are a changing, and many audiophiles have added video to their audio system. Others have kept their two-channel systems intact by creating separate home-theater systems. How about you?
Thanks to the manual that came with my old, now history, Lexicon CP3 surround processor...I've found I can have the best of both worlds right in the same room! In the manual, they diagramed how you can hookup a surround proessor or receiver(as long as it has pre-outs and you're using seperate amps) through the tape monitor loop of your 2channel preamp. It works great. When I want to just listen to pure two-channel music through my db Systems preamp, I keep the tape monitor switch off. When watching DVDs or listening to DVD Audio/DTS discs I just hit the Tape Mon switch and set volume on my db preamp to a pre-set reference level that matches the other channels. Main volume is then controlled by my home theater receiver!
I have a truly most excellent music system with, properly, two speakers (Wilson-Benesch). My Sony television has a speaker on each side and a "sub-woofer" on the top in back for all the home theater we'll ever need. Hey, folks, it's TV!!!
I once had a Denon-based Dolby Pro-Logic system. When I looked into upgrading to DVD, I discovered I would be downgrading the music. I sold the Denon system and bought Arcam's Alpha 7 integrated amp and CD player. I have since added a DVD player. It does OK with soundtracks, but it's terrible with CDs. Sound quality is more important to me in music than in movies.
My HT is a 27"TY with a very old VCR. I got a cheap DVD player from COSTO. Its more than I need. My two-channel is better. Roksan amp and CD player with MIT cables and Spendor S6 floorstanders. I listen to music for two to three hours a day. I watch news on TV for less than an hour a day. Who needs home theater?
Utilize Hafler's four channel set-up for both audio-n-video! Recently got a Marantz MR-235 for the front speakers,& a Sony 6800 SD powers the rears! There is a subtle sonic difference between music(cd,vinyl,& tape) & video(tv & VHS,haven't gone DVD yet) requirements,& those late 70's relics do a fine job replicating them!
I have my private system in my den/sound room and we have an old receiver and a couple old speakers for when we want more noise with a movie. But I couldn't look you straight in the eye and call it a theater system. I guess its sorta obvious I'm not a big video nut. Just a Wingnut (Redwings, the NHL, the Stanley Cup). Eat your hearts out.
I have my two-channel and then my HT/MP3/Workstation. Never got around to getting a TV (don't think they will really catch on in a big way and don't think they are good enough yet). Movies on a monitor is the only way to go. Then again movies are not all that great either. The regular stereo is still the best. Yeah, I will go now and listen to it some more.
I don't own a home theater system, only 2 channel audio and have no plans or desire to purchase one. I have listened to a number of home theater system set-ups in specialty home theater shops, hi-end shops, home theater and audio shows and in friends homes. While I find some home theater systems better than others, they are often not much more then "loud TV". Ultimately, its simply unconvincing and doesn't grab me nor command my attention the way that 2 channel audio does routinely.
I have a TV, which is only used for the news. It's about the same size as the screen on my laptop. The colors were pretty f***ed up the last time I used it. I had placed two midwoofers with seriously powerful magnets on the shelf underneath it. This is definitely not recommended.
I believe that superior two-channel audio and surround sound video are mutually exclusive. This is a result of quite a bit of experimentation on my part. Basically, the performance demands of the two systems are different enough that combining them into one system would severely compromise the sound and functionality of both.
My wife is a home theater enthusiast and my main interest is two-channel stereo. So I built my system this past year around both. For front main speakers I chose B&W nautilus 801s powered by a Krell FPB600c using the new Krell home theater 7.1 with an anolog pass through which shuts down all digital domains. A B&W Nautilus center and signature rears are used for 5.1, powered by the new krell kav 250-3. It sounds marvelous in both two- and multi-channel. With this system I don't believe I compromised my preference, while leaving plenty of room for future format changes.
The only way to maximize musicality is with a dedicated 2 channel system. To be totally ingulfed in the cinematic experience one needs to focus on maximizing his/her home theater. Of course if the current trend in the industry continues....we will all be listening to music on multi-channel systems. I for one will do all I can to keep 2 channel alive.