Any HT folks that converted from 2 channel . . .

[NMG]

Just wondering if any of you were serious "2 channel" listeners who have "converted" to HT?

Currently my system is strictly 2 channel (okay 2 channel and a sub) and I'm thinking about making a fairly decent upgrade to my system within the next 6-12 months. I currently have a Rotel RB-1080, a Rotel RC-1070, a Rotel RCD-1072, Paradigm Studio 80's and a Paradign PW-2200. I really enjoy all of this gear for my music listening.

My dilemma is whether I should expand this system to 5.1 and spend the money on another amp (keep the 1080 for the mains), processor and CC/surround speakers or invest the money into a more refined set of main speakers for 2 channel listening.

Did anyone have a similar decision to make? I'm concerned that if I go the HT route, that I won't get enough use out of the system to justify the cost. I do watch allot of HDTV programming and we do rent the odd DVD, but I'm just not sure if the HT "experience" would be as satisfying to me as a more refined 2 channel "experience". Has anyone found that their listening tastes and whatnot have changed since going to 5.1? Was it a worthwhile investment in your eye? If you had to do it all over again, would you?

Thanks for any info you can share or anything that you can suggest that would assist me.

[Martyn]

The dilemma might be worse than you think! I'm not far enough along to answer your last cluster of questions, but I can tell what I've decided so far.

Most significantly, the "more refined set of main speakers for 2 channel listening" has changed my listening habits more than I expect 5.1 will. For audio alone, I'm convinced that good quality two-channel sound (preferably 24 bit recordings) is more satisfying than multi-channel sound (which I regard as something of a novelty, although I suspect that it does have its moments). For me, 5.1 is strictly for DVD entertainment (I don't watch any TV).

To augment your present amp for 5.1 sound, you're obviously going to need to add another 3.1 channels at a minimum. In reality, you'll add at least 5.1 channels, meaning that you'll already be on the road to owning two separate systems (which is what I decided to do). The problem with this is that it gets expensive. The answer may be to buy a Rotel 1057 AVR and a modest DVD player for your HT, and to build a really good pair of DIY speakers for your two channel listening. Then build DIY HT speakers to match your Paradigms (if someone can suggest a kit that will do that). The money you save by building your own speakers will go a fair way towards an HT system.

As I say, this may be somewhat premature opinion...

[dyazdani]

I did switch from a dedicated 2 ch. system to HT. I got married and my wife liked to watch movies so that made the most sense.

I didn't add to my 2 ch. system though, I ended up selling most of it. The 2 ch. system was pretty high-end and I was able to buy still a high end HT without spending much more.

I the end you have to decide for yourself how much you will use the HT vs. 2ch. I listen to 2 ch. music very little now, so I made the right decision.

[Lex]

For me personally, while I have a complete high end setup, I could see being happy with a fully developed 2 channel first with a good subwoofer, with smaller emphasis on 5 or 7 channels for HT. As budget or time allows, I'd do a upgrade in the theater area.

[Ovation]

I hummed along quite nicely for years in 2.0, first with Hi-Fi VHS and then with DVD--as far as movies go. For a lot longer than that with audio. I didn't have "hi-end" equipment (sadly, my wallet was no match for my ears), but I made careful purchases to get the best sound I could afford. A few years ago, the opportunity to move into the MCH world presented itself (financially) and while I'm an avid movie watcher (my graduate work was on film and history), many of the films I enjoy most are in mono--so that wasn't the primary motive for the move into MCH. Hearing hi-res audio in MCH on a properly set up system was what convinced me. I most definitely changed my listening habits after that. I focused on getting the best MCH audio setup I could afford (had about 5000$US dollars to spend--taxes included--and not a penny went to a TV). I'm still not in the "hi-end", but I'm in a much improved level over my previous gear. What's more, while I still enjoy my 2 channel music (I tried to make sure 2 channel performance would not be the weak link in my system and I think I succeeded), my purchases have (in the past 2 years, since I put the system together) been about 4:1 (MCH hi-res:2 ch all-res). I have become a big fan of classical music (in part because of its preponderance in hi-res, in part because I now have the means to explore that genre more in-depth--I also subscribe to the symphony, something I'd never done before) and that certainly also represents a change in my listening habits. In a perfect world, I'd have three systems--one for movies, one for MCH audio and one for 2 channel audio, each in their own room. But in the real world, I will settle for my MCH system that works well in 2 ch and with movies but is biased toward MCH audio. I'm a "convert".

[NMG]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, exactly the type of stuff that will help me!

[pearsall001]

I never looked at it as if it was a dilemna. If you're happy w/ your 2 channel set up then you're more than 1/2 way there. Throw in a good preamp w/ HT bypass & whallah a happy marriage is born. Since I added the CJ tube preamp w/ HT bypass, and the 2 channel VanAlstine amp I now enjoy a killer 2 channel system along w/ a dynamite HT system. I couldn't be happier!!!

[NoHype]

If your room allows for it there is no reason at all why you couldnt have both a great 2-ch system and a great HT . If your 2-ch system is now in a dedicated room that has no TV or projector in then the only thing that could possibly hurt the sound of your system are the changes in room acoustics from reflected sound off the TV/Monitor . If this concerns you then you could always make an acoustic panel out OC-703 that would simply cover the screen when doing critical listening to audio .

A good system is a good system , the same ideas that apply to reproducing good 2-ch audio apply to a good multi ch system . I can see no reason in the world to sacrafice your front soundstage just so you can start enjoying the pleasure of watching a movie.

[NMG]

Yeah I guess that makes total sense, I never quite thought about it in that way. Thanks for the feedback!

[ThomasW]

I use one room for both. There's a pre/pro for HT and a dedicated analog per amp for 2 channel. There's a bypass mode on the 2 channel pre, so the L&R from the processor is fed into it. Doing this only one volume control/remote is required for either mode.

I use a tab tensioned screen that rolls up and out of the way when listening to 2 channel. There are room treatments exposed when the screen is up.

[NMG]

Sounds like a very cool setup ThomasW!

Eventually I'd like to get rid of my RPTV and go with a projector setup as well. I think it would really "open" the room up, plus it would make it more pleasing for 2 channel with the screen not there

[Karma]

HI All,
I have two separate and very different systems. My main, much larger listening room, is devoted to 2 channel stereo. My HT system is in my bedroom which is smaller but where I watch TV and movies. It's where my 42" plasma resides.

The bedroom HT system was conceived as a music/HT combination from the beginning. Don't misunderstand, it has a viable 2 channel capability but really can't compete with my main system both because of the room and the quality level of the equipment. But because of the Krell electronics, B&W 805S series speakers at all corners and center, and ASW 800 subs, the HT 5.1 system ain't bad at all. I enjoy it very much. In fact, it kicks ass!! :T

But my prime listening system for music is my main system. Having two separate systems reduces the need to compromise either one.

BTW, I have a very modest home. The former owners had redorcorated and combined the living room with a bedroom to to give a very nice sized living room that I use as my main listening room. Of the two remaining bedrooms, one is still a bedroom (and home theater) and the other is dedicated to my digital darkroom and office.

Yes, I am single. A wife would never allow such an arrangement. 8)

Sparky

[Martyn]

Yes, I am single. A wife would never allow such an arrangement. 8)

Sparky

You just have to go about the right way. I started by renovating part of our under-utilised basement as a sewing room (the fact that it doubles as a seasonal winery is beside the point). I'm now renovating a larger part of the basement for use as a study which is slowly morphing into an HT room.

Life is full of compromises, and everything is negotiable! :W