I'm FINALLY finished: new 2-channel system

I'm a firm believer you can accomplish both within the same system. If my system was limited to sitting in a sweet spot and listening to 2 channel only-there is no way I could justify the expense of the gear I have. I know there are the purists that can do this-but when I was limited to just 2 channel it felt like I was listening to the same (well recorded)material over and over. With the home theatre capabilities I can watch sports/movies-and listen to 2 channel. I recently added a plasma(mounted on wall)which opens my center up so my 2 channel stuff images better. This also makes my system easier to share with friends and entertain.

i dropped HT about 3 years ago and have not looked back since. the dts neo32.6 sound formats and pixel counts drove me insane changing over every 4 months. i'm much happier now worrying about vta, vtf and cleaning fluids for vinyl :)

I just replaced my receiver and B&W N804's, HTM 1 and subwoofers with a McIntosh MA 6900 and B&W 803D speakers.

The 2 channel sound is much much better.

Still getting use to watching TV and Movies in 2 channel--it sounds good, the image seems to be comming from the TV, but a center channel seems to do it better.

I get a lot more sound effects using 2 channels though.

If things get hectic I might use the HT Bypass on the MAC with a reciever and center, but my living room area looks a lot better without a center,rear speakers, subwoofers, cables and gear stacked to the ceiling.

You definitely did the right thing. I work around HT systems every day and continue to enjoy my 2-channel tube-based system more w/music and movies. My opinion is that if you get 2 channels tonally right along w/a good video monitor, movie soundtracks simply disappear into the movie. With HT set-ups I am always aware of movie plus sound effects. Way to go.

Pookie - I dropped HT in 1999 and missed it for about 1 day. I can't tell you how many laser discs I bought and only watched them once. For those that enjoy it-great, but it was the easiest thing I've ever walked away from. Hope your experience is the same.. As the title of your thread says you are "finally finished", might I suggest that you now stay away Audiogon, Asylum, etc. :)