Pick your poison...2-channel or multi?

I've done a lot of thinking and research on this subject.

There are different formats of multi channels.
Generally two different kinds

1. DPL, DPLII(x), Trified by Meridian, Logic 7 by Lexicon, etc..., which from the two channel source, ie. Redbook CD, generates multi channels.

2. SACD, DAD-Audio which are music sources recorded multichannel to begin with.

I started with multi channel music in mind, and I'm a kind of guy like simple solutions. I picked Meridian as the center of my system. Now I have 561M and 861V2, but I'm going back to 2ch for music listening becuase,

First I don't have much SACD & DVD-Audio sources... I'll probably not have much for a while... but I have hundreds of redbook CD sources.

Secondly, while Trifield and DPLII are nice and have it's own merits, however it's not necessary better than pure 2 ch stereo.
- Trifield/DPLII provide great imaging effect and sense of filling the space.
- Stereo feels more natural and smooth.

I guess with the right setup, I think you can get either by either format.

Thirdly, to have really good multi channel system with matching 5-7 speakers, amps, cables etc, it cost more than double...

Thus within a certain budget, I concluded that I better concentrate on 2ch for music listening in my case.

"Secondly, while Trifield and DPLII are nice and have it's own merits, however it's not necessary better than pure 2 ch stereo.
- Trifield/DPLII provide great imaging effect and sense of filling the space.
- Stereo feels more natural and smooth."

That statement is completely opposite of my experience.

Have you customized your trifields for differnt types of music?

If your 2 channel sounds more natural than the triield, change the trifield setting until they sound the same as your 2 channel sound....but it weill never go that far

What I don't understand is the same guy who will put his speaker cables on stilts, have some high school drop out put tubes in his DVD player etc and it never occurs to them to maybe play with the levels/ distances the treble and bass to make the processor sound the way they want.
eandy my Meridian has 8 different trifeild setting to match the scale of the music I'm listening too, this way there's no way 2 channel can sound more natural. The parameters are adjustable for a reason, you can make trifield sound just like two channel if you wanted to, I actually can mimick other systems by fine tuning the adjustments. Keeep digging my friend, its a new type of system, you must learn new ways to adjust it.

Eandylee - would you be willing to be walked through the process to better enhance your MC system?

It seems as if you have a good grasp of things, but there could be more potential to bring out of it; which could sway you opinion to the other side.

No long drawn out process, just a little extra help. And it won't cost you a dime. You keep your own equipment. Sounds like something that would interest you?

gentlemen: how many channels does live, unamplified music have ?

let's trade in our stereo systems for concert tickets.

11-09-06: Cdwallace
Thanks JMC

I would've guessed no brain..er, as well!

Enjoy
Cdwallace (Threads | Answers)

Don't quite your day job CeeDee!