Combining HT and Stereo only setup. Recos Please

I tried creating a HT and stereo system years ago, and like you, I didn't have a deep wallet. I eventually ended up selling it and buying the best stereo that I could. The better the stereo, the better the imaging and if you sit close the center, you won't need a center channel. You already seem to realize that the expense of the rear speakers and amplification for them isn't really needed either.

It would be a different story if you had $40k or more to spend, but a really good stereo makes a really good HT. The problem most people have if they're not rich is that the cost of five speakers and sub, the processor and the amplification for everything causes us to buy a lot of lesser quality hoping that being surrounded by sound makes up for the lack of quality sound. I found out that for me, it doesn't!

Nice to know that there are sane people out there, who have one system in a small apartment. I represent the insane ones who have 3 systems in a 2 bedroom apartment (my wife shakes her head a lot).

Assuming that you are buying new and have a budget of about $2K, here is a 3 channel system that will do very well with both music and movies.

Receiver:
ARCAM AVR200 (list $1200, can probably get it for about $1000). What you give up in power (90 wpc for 2 channel; 75 wpc for 5 channel, all channels driven), you will pick up in musicality and true hifi sound for CD's. University Audio is an ARCAM dealer. CJ Lundberg is an excellent person to deal with.

Speakers:
Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 ($250)
Wharfedale Diamond 9CS ($250)

Well reviewed monitors. Track down any of the last 3 issues of What Hi Fi to see how sensational these speakers are and how well they stack up against comparable models from Monitor Audio; B&W; EPOS; etc. What Hi Fi also recommends going with the more expensive center channel speaker ... big time upgrade. Audio Advisor is a Wharfedale dealer.

CD/DVD Player:
SONY ES DVP-NC555ES ($600) is a very well built and excellent performing DVD; CD; SACD changer. A real sleeper in the SONY ES line. You can see this unit on-line at Crutchfield .

A really sweet system for about $2100 new. I am sure that you can shop around and save some more cash.

The big issue that I see for you is how much will you miss your Maggies? I have never owned a pair of Maggies, but judging from the tesimonials of those that do would suggest that Maggie owners are fans for life.

Regards, Rich

Rar1,

You are right in that maggie owners find it hard to get back to box speakers. Offlate, i'm having a hard time setting aside time to listen to music. And thats one of the reason why I want to have just one system. Something thats good in stereo/HT.

But MMGs are darn good speakers. If I were to buy a house, I'd not hesitate to buy them all over again.

Wow. This is 15 years ago and the same issues are still in play now in 2021.  I would be so curious to learn how these posters got on in their journey’s.  

After all this time, I think less is more and a great 2 Chanel system works well for both HT and music listening.