2. amps-preamps
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Do NOT Blow Your Entire Budget on Two Channel Audio

Yes, two channel audio is here, and is not going away. However, object based audio is delightful, widely available on Tidal and Apple Music, and should be in the listening room of every music lover on the planet, not just "audiophiles. If you plan to be a music fan a year from now start building your object based audio system today. You will need:

1) A receiver/processor capable of Dolby Atmos.

2) A subscription to Tidal or Apple music.

3) A Firestick, ATV, or Nvidia Shield.

4) A minimum of 7 timber matched speakers and a subwoofer.

Once you experienced stereo would you ever go back to only mono? No, you would build a system capable of either mono or stereo. Now that object based audio has arrived do the same thing. Build a system capable of mono, stereo, AND object based audio. When Elton John heard Rocket Man in an object based format for the first time why did he demand to convert his entire catalog to Atmos? If you don’t know, then you need to go listen to Rocket Man in a good Atmos setup ASAP.

So, take your budget, DIVERSIFY, and get a good Atmos capable receiver or processor. Object based audio is NOT last decades surround sound or home theater. It is for MUSIC first, if you need a recommendation on how to allocate your budget feel free to post a question. Most importantly, you don’t NEED two systems, one for music and one for movies. A good object based audio system can play two channel music just fine. A two channel system on the other hand can’t play object based audio without a proper processor or receiver.

Greg Penny talks mixing Rocket Man in Atmos.

https://youtu.be/ggzfcUKDqdo?feature=shared

 

kota1
kota1 OP
2,706 posts
 

The point of this thread is if you are spending money on audio, allocate some budget to object based audio. The content producers are "future proofing" their music while producing a more engaging experience for fans. Why not "future proof" your MLP? See:

Dolby Atmos allows music labels and publishers to future-proof their music while providing a new listening experience to fans. In the past, new music tech was locked behind proprietary formats like DVD-A and SACD. It made listening to new music tech a chore, since these formats barely lasted the decade which they were introduced. Dolby Atmos has become ubiquitous among the music industry, not least of all thanks to Apple Music support. Many artists and IP owners are rushing to get their music mixed and remastered in this new format.

Dolby Atmos music boosts listener engagement and can help refresh or revitalize an older catalog. It’s also satisfying to listen to for audiophiles because you can hear the difference between instrument clarity and separation in the mix.

See:

Mixing and Mastering in Dolby Atmos-What You Should Know

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,899 posts
 

How many posts do you have responding to @kota1 on this? 7? 8?  All attempting to shoot down spatial audio. To what end?  This is the pot calling the kettle black. You are not the target market for ATMOS. It is not targeted to people set in their ways and looking for reasons not to change .

Nope. What I take issue is, is with his overbearing and pushy attitude. As for you, I see you joined on 7/11/23 and noticed you have the same cantankerous manner as one particular member who's been banned many times but yet continues to resurface under different handles. I hope it's not you, again.

All the best,
Nonoise

jeffrey125
282 posts
 

All I am going to say is I will not even give Atmos a sniff due to the resident spokesman's overzealous wagon peddling here.  This is truly a modern example of a snake oil salesmen. If Dolby Labs is paying him it is not in gear, must be beer. 

kota1 OP
2,706 posts
 

I don’t see the need for disagreement. I never stated that one format is better (although certain mixes can be better). My OP is simply to budget for both formats. You can get a great 2 channel preamp for about $2500. You can get a great processor capable of atmos for about the same price. If you choose to buy a 2 ch preamp for 100% of your budget or a processor for 100% of your budget you won’t see me chastising you for your choices.

I will say that ALL atmos capable processors can do two channel so consider that when budgeting. I didn’t "need" to budget for a 2 channel preamp at all, I did so because the additional features complimented my system.

 

kota1 OP
2,706 posts
 

If you setup your room for Atmos it is pretty straight forward as Dolby has laid out the specs. If you use the same specs at home as they do in the studio you will probably get a similar experience. Here is a thread for setting up your room:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/how-to-setup-your-room-for-atmos-and-immersive-audio

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