Help me pick a 2.1 solution

[oneplustwo]

Hi folks,

I'm pretty sure the full home theatre thing won't be happening any time soon so I'm trying to figure out a good 2.1 solution for now. There are two things I'm thinking through:

.1:
The options seem to range from a stereo pre-amp with sub management to passive crossover to minidsp to some of the behringer products (DCX2496, CX2100). I'm leaning towards minidsp since it's pretty inexpensive and also has flexibility to do other stuff later on if I so choose. Anyone have experience doing this? Are there other good options I'm missing?

Amplication
I would like a dedicated sub amp (which could also solve the above), but I also have a ton of amps already. I was thinking I could use one channel of one of my chip amps as a sub amp. I didn't like the idea of "wasting" the other channel though since I have just one sub so I was wondering if anyone knows if I can bridge a chip amp? I have a couple of the LM3886 kits. That would give me plenty of power for my small room and the sealed 12" sub I think.

Or maybe I should just get that Dayton 230W sub amp and be done with it?

[JonMarsh]

Question there is whether the bridged chip amp is rated for a low impedance load- typical sub drivers are 4 ohm rated, about 2.8 to 3 ohm minimum, and in a bridge configuration that impedance looks like 1/2 for each amplifier.

Of course, the size room you have, SPL goals, etc, this all enters into things. It's hard to make a good recommendation for you without knowing more about your setup, budget, and goals.

2.1 is what I prefer for my bedroom HT, but I just configure the audio out on the Cambridge Audio BD for the right configuration, and use an Aragon 8008 X3, which is a 3 channel 200W/channel 8 ohm amp for the small mains and sub. That system is getting modified soon, to use an NCORE 400 based stereo amp and a Hypex plate amp in a new subwoofer I'm building with a the new Dayton UM10-22 10" subwoofer- the Hypex plate amp has plenty of power and has the needed EQ and filtering capability built in.

As the Cambridge is a universal player, it will handle CD's and SACD in addition to BD; for the bedroom, the sound is OK. YMMV, of course. :W