3 channel amps


I assume 3 channel amps are for running a center channel?  Is the 3rd channel a combination of left and right?  Looking at a used Classe CA-3200

jbuhl

Ok I have a nice B&W HTM2 Center in my AV rig that is sinfully under utilized. I am toying with the idea of moving that into my 2 channel system with this 3 channel Classe.  What frequency is transmitted to the 3rd channel? In my 2 channel set is just a Rogue RP-1.  I would just be listening to stereo recordings.   Maybe a center for 2 channel rig doesn’t make sense?    I realize when I do that I no longer have 2 channel. 

Apologies for my poor understanding. 

 

Update:  I just looked on the back panel of the Classe.  It appears I would need a AV type pre section for the 3rd channel?  Or If I come off the line2 of my Rogue then I would have to choose either the left or right channel ?

Hey OP,

The center channel is not really used unless you have a home theater processor.  Even then the default is to not use it unless you enable some sort of matrix mode like Dolby Prologic or something else which tries to use "extra" speakers in a home theater by some artificial processing.  Some of it can sound quite nice but I think if you have a center you shouldn't force yourself to use it elsewhere.  Sell it and reduce your hassle.

Sorry, the default is not to use the center unless for movies or multi-channel audio.  Stereo playback (music) won't use the center without Dolby ProLogic or Neo7 or something similar turned on. 

There's no quick or easy way to just add a center to a stereo rig.

Yeah I turn the center on/off depending if I am listening to music or watching a movie on my AV rig.   Just gotten to where I don't watch the tele much anymore.  So may send that gear down the road.