Why is 2 Channel better than multi-channel?

I'm using a Primare P30 pre/pro in my 2-channel system. It has a 100% analog by-pass mode which really helps sonically. I've compare it with an Ayre k3-x preamp in my home and the Primare was signifanctly better in most respects. It retails for $4k but you can probably do better price-wise.

There's probably a number of reasons that a good 2-channel is usually better than a multi-channel setup. I'll take a stab at a few reasons:

1. Perhaps because it has to do more, multi-channel equipment historically has usually been sonically inferior when compared to traditional 2-channel equipment. Though that is changing.

2. An excellent multi-channel system would cost significantly more than an excellent 2-channel system. Therefore, if one had a budget of say $10k, the sonics would hopefully be far superior in the 2-channel because one would be able to afford better quality 2-channel equipment than spreading that budget out for 5 pair of cables, speakers, amplifiers, etc..

3. I just don't know why. I've listened to some very pricy surround systems costing $50k or more and it just sounds, shall we say, different.

So I figure, why hassle with the added expense and headache of all those cables, speakers, etc. and just enjoy what one has.

I believe that if you purchase the right 2-channel equipment and setup your system properly, you'll be in want of nothing.

Besides, life's pretty complicated as it is.

-John

My 2-channel HT is starting to sound *really* good. The Swans have finally broken in and dynamics have increased tremendously...

I've had a couple people listen to movies on my JVC XV-45 DVD player and they don't feel any need for surround speakers. The DVD is sitting on four Vibrapods which in turn rest on an MDF board coupled to the TV table with Blue Tack. The digital signal is sent via a 50' coaxial run to my Soundstream/Krell DAC-1 and the sound is really something! Pretty amazing for so little money...

There are some very valid points made in this thread both
pro and con for multi channel HT sound. As someone who has
owned a video editing and media duplication firm for the past 12+ years - I'm frankly amazed at the constantly
shifting standards for HT. Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital,
DTS, THX, and on and on. Try and find a decent supply of
software in any of these "formats" that can be played back
with any sort of decent fidelity.
Quite frankly, I regard most of the lower cost HT hard-
ware as a way for the Sonys, Panasonics, and Kenwoods of
the world to separate the gullible from their money. Anybody
want to buy a Dolby Pro Logic Pre-Amp?

Just giving my two cents worth..... it's hard to enjoy your music when a big tv is in front of you even if it's not turned on. Not only is the tv an eye sore, but it takes up the space that the speaker needs to "work" in.

My current 2 channel set up does not compromise stereo imaging. I have a near field rig with a 27" Sony WEGA on which I attach a RPG Pro Foam panel when listening to music. It really works.

Avideo's got a point regarding all those formats...crazy, to say the least. Did someone mention 10.2?