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I've Fallen in Love With My Mistress

For sure I thought I was a loyal die-hard 2-channel guy. In my mind I was kind of smug, thinking that a 2-channel devotee was more serious about hi-fi than those home theater guys, and I could never be one of "them"....they just didn't seem to be purists like the 2-channel guys. But it seems I've been smitten by another pretty girl, a mistress....and her name is home theater. Maybe it's just an infatuation, but I'm loving it. Amazingly, I once viewed high end audio stores that started catering primarily to home theater enthusiasts as "sellouts". Now I understand. Over the past few years I've seen guys selling their equipment here saying that they're moving to home theater....and I thought that they must have been crazy.

I am spending much more time doing home theater now than 2-channel. The time I have to spend for home entertainment is not very much and HT is crowding out music listening. With Netflix providing so many movies, I can't seem to get enough. I have been trying to catch up on movies that I haven't seen over the years and I'm having a blast enjoying them. Watching movies doesn't leave a lot of time for 2-channel critical listening. I listen to my 2nd system during the day (mainly the tuner tuned to the local jazz station) while I work as background music (I work at home)and I barely listen to my main 2-channel rig at all any more. It has been months since I've plunked down in my listening chair and let the music take me away.

I have no plans to unload my 2-channel stuff, but I do feel kinda weird walking past my vinyl and cd's that has been my main source of home entertainment for decades. I feel like I'm cheating on someone that has been good to me.
128x128mitch4t
emailists
923 posts
 
I go through cycles as well. I am a projector fanatic so there were times in the past I hardly ever listenened to music.

WIthin the last 2 years or so I have comepletly upgraded my system piece by piece, and HD DVR projection has taken a backset.

Enjoy the cycle you are in now. Get a projector if you dont already. Then in 6 months maybe upgrade a component or cables. You'll be back into 2 chan. again, maybe relegating the end of an emotionally draining and ear splitting session to half a film or Big Love.
vman71
218 posts
 
What a dangerous topic/subject!

I love my HT system and movies are just like being at the theater. However, as much as I love my HT system, my 2 channel is as solid as ever. In my system, my HT just can't do what my S.E.T amp can do. And when it comes down to it, when I want to just listen and relax, I want my warm, musical, and beautiful S.E.T. sound.
butsy
23 posts
 
I have an HT setup and audio setup in the same room...the only thing they share is the equipment rack. I love my stereo and just don't really care about audio too much in my HT setup. IMHO the importance of components in HT is
Display 70%
center spkr 15%
sub 10%
surrounds 5%
I just don't really care of the sound quality in the surrounds isn't perfect,,,,who cares if bullit or jet doesn't have the right timbre as it whizzes past??
mcpody
73 posts
 
Want to really feel it? Hook up the horns to a tight SET. Close your eyes...the music will be playing inside your head. The SET gives better head that your mistress.
cwlondon
1,210 posts
 
Like most mistresses, this one won't last.

In the end, you will look like an idiot, and become overwhelmed with guilt and shame as you wonder why you spent so much money when you had something better all along.

Cheers,

cwlondon
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