Question For Those That Watch Movies/TV Through Your Two Channel System

You use 2 channel stereo mode, not mono. The center channel is not active when you change your DVR to 2 channel, which often sounds better. You want to create imaging which mono cannot do. Solve your 2 channel stereo front sound now, but think now about when you will add rear surround speakers, perhaps sub(s) later also. You can always upgrade equipment after that.

I watch a lot of music video 5.1 and 2 channel, via my home theater. 2 or 5.1 Channel DVD concerts, TV shows like the Voice, XFactor, Songland, YouTube... Hard Drive with 3D Movies, ... Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Viki and some limited music streaming via Pandora.

I used a dedicated PC to my AV receiver for many years. Fanless via 5.1 audio on motherboard to avoid heat of separate audio card. And selected for quiet hard drive.

Small wireless chicklet keyboard is very helpful doing this. Originally PC for unlimited internet access, early smart tv’s browsers were very limited.

Now mostly a modern Smart TV, the PC remains for it’s disc drive and hard drive, I don’t but they can connect to home network to access other pcs).

Much content is 2 channel, I often find the cable company/av receiver creates un-natural surround, so I often force 2 channel and find improvement. The point is, when in 2 channel, it is your front, no center, and, depending on your circuit, sub(s) might be on or off. Therefore, go for the best full range mains your physical setup allows, and if sub(s) for more bass, keep them in the system even for 2 channel.

2 channel, no center speaker active, the mains need to be positioned to create/locate a phantom center, specific enough for imaging.

There is a separate thread about great speakers may not be best if too close or using great speakers in too small a room.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/just-spoke-to-an-old-client-of-mine-avantgarde-owner

There is absolutely no reason to use a center 

There is when your TV isn’t in between your mains, like mine.

To the OP, if you have a multi channel reviewer, why not simply run it in 5.1 mode, then the R/L and center will do what they are suppose to do. Simply adjust as necessary for the lack of rears, but chances are, you won’t have to do a thing. Just set all the speakers to ‘large’.

My thought was to do away with his small center channel speaker and replace the AV receiver with an Integrated Amp. I just wasn't sure if watching movies in 2 channel stereo would be a disappointment after having a center speaker with the clear sounding dialog. My son has 3 kids under 12 so he doesn't have a lot of time to research this stuff.

There are no plans to add surrounds, possibly a small subwoofer in the future.  

@elliottbnewcombjr Thanks for your comments. It sounds like you watch movies in stereo with no issues.

@bkeske    The reason this question came up was because yesterday we added a Node 2i to his system. Since his AV receiver is just an entry level Denon, I wanted to get the most out of the Node with an integrated amp, but was concerned about watching movies in 2 channel stereo.
   

Well, you could always play music in 2 channel mode, which would ‘turn off’ the center, then back to 5.1 for TV.

But I agree with others, you will never get good musical sound with an AV receiver vs a dedicated 2 channel set-up. Just depends on how critical you want the 2-channel music to be.

I tried this, as my system is dual HT/2-channel. Fist with an dedicated power amp using my AVR as the pre, then finally a separate preamp with HT pass-though, which all my 2 channels sources are connected to. Thus, now, the AVR only has one function - HT 5.1 while watching TV. All my 2 channel is completely separate with its own pre and power amp. And 2 channel sources, of course. You could do the same with a 2 channel integrated with HT pass-through, and only have the center directly connected to the AVR. The mains connected to the integrated. Seems a bit strange, but you already have the Denon. Problem is, highly doubt it has pre-outs.