I'm FINALLY finished: new 2-channel system


Well, I did it. I'm not sure I did the right thing by ditching home theatre in favor of an upgraded 2-channel but it's done.

Old Home Theatre system:

McIntosh MVP851
McIntosh MHT200 Receiver
B&W Nautilus 804, HTM2, SCM1
Velodyne sub-woofer

New system:

McIntosh MVP851
C2200 Preamp
2 MC275 Mk IV monoblocks
Tyler Acoustics Super Towers
No subwoofer

Hopefully, the new system will be a HUGE improvement over the 2-channel sound I got with the old HT system because I sacrificed 3 channels and a sub for it.

Please tell me I did the right thing. I'm having HT-partum blues.
128x128pookie10
You'll be glad to be rid of all that HT crap.

Hook yer DVD player up to the new rig, watch movies in stereo.

I've heard the 275's, they're great, never heard the Tylers however read lots of good things. Sounds to me like you are on the right track.

I fell into the HT trap back in the late 90's. "Be all end all". Yep, helicopters buzzed around my head, explosions shook the room....yadda yadda yadda.......then I'd go for some straight two-channel classical and the thing would just fall down. Two-dimensional, flat soundstage.

I had to come to the realization that I'm a two-channel old-timer. Life's been good since ~!

Best,

Paul :-)
You're going to love your new system. I went through a similar experience a year ago when I was buying my system. Whether to go with HT or 2-channel. I chose the latter. I felt it was easier to do 2-channel right than HT correctly. I'm very glad I did. To get the kind of sound quality you're looking for with HT, you'd need 5 of those 275's plus a surround processor just to have music coming at you from all directions. It's not worth the extra money, in my opinion, unless you have it to blow. You made the right decision. Say goodbye to your HT and start enjoying your new system.
I'm a firm believer you can accomplish both within the same system. If my system was limited to sitting in a sweet spot and listening to 2 channel only-there is no way I could justify the expense of the gear I have. I know there are the purists that can do this-but when I was limited to just 2 channel it felt like I was listening to the same (well recorded)material over and over. With the home theatre capabilities I can watch sports/movies-and listen to 2 channel. I recently added a plasma(mounted on wall)which opens my center up so my 2 channel stuff images better. This also makes my system easier to share with friends and entertain.
i dropped HT about 3 years ago and have not looked back since. the dts neo32.6 sound formats and pixel counts drove me insane changing over every 4 months. i'm much happier now worrying about vta, vtf and cleaning fluids for vinyl :)
I just replaced my receiver and B&W N804's, HTM 1 and subwoofers with a McIntosh MA 6900 and B&W 803D speakers.

The 2 channel sound is much much better.

Still getting use to watching TV and Movies in 2 channel--it sounds good, the image seems to be comming from the TV, but a center channel seems to do it better.

I get a lot more sound effects using 2 channels though.

If things get hectic I might use the HT Bypass on the MAC with a reciever and center, but my living room area looks a lot better without a center,rear speakers, subwoofers, cables and gear stacked to the ceiling.