Leaving HT for 2 channel-Good or Not?

I dropped 5.1 for 2 ch and have no regrets. Movies still have a dynamic impact as well as pretty good surround effects via soundstage and imaging. I'll probably buy a nice reciever some day for 5.1 and use HT pass through on my preamp.

I dropped 5.1 channel music for 2 channel and have no regrets. I do have a Denon receiver with HT capability for when I feel like playing that occasional movie though. My tube preamp has a unity gain input, so I can run the preamp FR and FL outputs from the Denon receiver through my stereo tube preamp and use my stereo speakers as mains. The Denon receiver only drives the center and surrounds so I only need one good stereo amp. I have 95% of my money into my 2 channel system, which is 90% of my listening. Sell the multi-channel amps and pre/pros, get a decent HT receiver with preamp outs and a stereo preamp with HT throughput and your set for the best of both worlds.

Cheers,
John

I have also dropped 5-channel for a top of the line 2-channel system. I have since purchased another 5-channel ssytem but it is nothing special. You don't need exceptional quality to hear explosions and people yelling. 2-channel however is another story. Dump the HT or get a cheap system, you will not be sorry.

I love my two channel system, but when I watch movies, I couldn't imagine not having 5.1. The sound is a big part of the movie experience. Fortunately, I've got two seperate systems in adjoining rooms. I don't know what I would do if not for that. I'd have trouble doing without 5.1.

Its expensive to get into multichannel audio and even more difficult to properly balance and dial in . The rewards however are stunning and before you throw the baby out go hear it done properly . Especially at this evolutionary time in our field with the progress being made with the new formats. One common mistake is in the calibration process whereby proper balance is not created. Sound effects from the rear should seamlessly blend if the encoding was created skillfully . Another issue is the delay function. If the mains and surrounds are not equidistant from the center image listening position , perfect delay calibration can make a big difference in the overall balance that can dramatically affect multichannel music and your perception of its effectiveness . Close timbre matching , integration of the subs and room acoustical control are all also critical as is the quality of your gear , epecially the processor. . This is just a few of the daunting tasks that must be controlled to achieve coherency but to me , its well worth it. If I had to make a decision between 2 and multichannel and could put the necessary resorces into doing either CORRECT , I would choose multichannel . But thats just me.