Going From 2CH to 5.1CH

[Audiophilehi]

I have been a two channel audiophile for about 30 years and I am now moving into 5.1 or possibly 7.1.

My question is, do I expand on my 2 channel analog set-up or do I have to start all over again.

I just purchased the Sony BDP-S550 and have a 42" Vizio SV420XVT LCD TV.

I have a analog tube preamp and mono amps.

Thanks!

[plowmanjoe]

i'm no expert, but you would want to have the front 3 speakers matched. so the 2 speakers you have currently would work fine if you could get a center channel that works with them.

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by plowmanjoe

i'm no expert, but you would want to have the front 3 speakers matched. so the 2 speakers you have currently would work fine if you could get a center channel that works with them.

Thanks for the quick reply. I assume I will have to get a receiver. I've been into separates for so long it's going to be hard to get used to just 1 component.

I also want to be able to go from 2 ch listening to 5.1. when watching movies.

[ballin_shogun]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

I have been a two channel audiophile for about 30 years and I am now moving into 5.1 or possibly 7.1.

My question is, do I expand on my 2 channel analog set-up or do I have to start all over again.

I just purchased the Sony BDP-S550 and have a 42" Vizio SV420XVT LCD TV.

I have a analog tube preamp and mono amps.

Thanks!

What speakers do you have? As previously stated you want to timbre match you front 3 speakers. It may be challenging for your to find a well matched center channel speaker. As far as the act of upgrading it would seem most logical to upgrade your preamp to something that will handle the new codecs, HDMI and 5.1 or 7.1 output then just add more amps and speakers to what you already have.

Or you could always just move your 2 channel setup to a different listening room and buy a new system for HT. That would make things simpler although not necesarily better.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

Thanks for the quick reply. I assume I will have to get a receiver. I've been into separates for so long it's going to be hard to get used to just 1 component.

I also want to be able to go from 2 ch listening to 5.1. when watching movies.

All is not lost. You can get seperates !

I'm currently waiting on these.

http://www.rotel.com/NA/Products/Pro...ils.htm?id=474

http://www.rotel.com/NA/Products/Pro...ils.htm?id=475

[MatrixS2000]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

Thanks for the quick reply. I assume I will have to get a receiver. I've been into separates for so long it's going to be hard to get used to just 1 component.

I also want to be able to go from 2 ch listening to 5.1. when watching movies.

Don't go back! Stay separates, just add more amplification. You will need a new pre/pro if your current one does not take multichannel PCM in.

[Driver_King]

Look into Emotiva for separate amps. An Onkyo 805 would be great as a pre-amp as well. If you need some speaker choices, I'll be glad to help as well.

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by ballin_shogun

What speakers do you have? As previously stated you want to timbre match you front 3 speakers. It may be challenging for your to find a well matched center channel speaker. As far as the act of upgrading it would seem most logical to upgrade your preamp to something that will handle the new codecs, HDMI and 5.1 or 7.1 output then just add more amps and speakers to what you already have.

Or you could always just move your 2 channel setup to a different listening room and buy a new system for HT. That would make things simpler although not necesarily better.

I have the Von Schweikert VR-5HSE speakers. They do sell a center channel and sub.

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by Scooby Blu

All is not lost. You can get seperates !

I'm currently waiting on these.

http://www.rotel.com/NA/Products/Pro...ils.htm?id=474

http://www.rotel.com/NA/Products/Pro...ils.htm?id=475

That looks sweet. That might be an option.

Thanks

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

I have been a two channel audiophile for about 30 years and I am now moving into 5.1 or possibly 7.1.

My question is, do I expand on my 2 channel analog set-up or do I have to start all over again.

I just purchased the Sony BDP-S550 and have a 42" Vizio SV420XVT LCD TV.

I have a analog tube preamp and mono amps.

Thanks!

What preamp do you use? If you're planning to dual-purpose one system, you need a preamp with a "HT bypass" input (essentially, a input with unity gain). I too use tube preamp and power amps.

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by MatrixS2000

Don't go back! Stay separates, just add more amplification. You will need a new pre/pro if your current one does not take multichannel PCM in.

I have the Herron M-150 Monoblocks. So if I am understanding correctly I can purchase 3 more amps and a SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR.

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by richteer

What preamp do you use? If you're planning to dual-purpose one system, you need a preamp with a "HT bypass" input (essentially, a input with unity gain). I too use tube preamp and power amps.

I have the Herron VTSP-1A tube pre-amp

[Driver_King]

That sounds right.

[MatrixS2000]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

I have the Herron M-150 Monoblocks. So if I am understanding correctly I can purchase 3 more amps and a SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR.

3 or 5 depending if you want 5.1 or 7.1 and that the subwoofer will be powered.

I run 2 Parasound HCA2205 for 10 channels of amplification (7 .1 with two unpowered subs and 2 centre channels). My pre/pro is the Intergra DTC 9.8.

Not sure if you plan on keeping your current pre-amplifier, but as richteer said, you will need a HT bypass on it.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

That looks sweet. That might be an option.

Thanks

Yes they do. My dealer said the pictures don't even come close to how good they look in person. And as we know I will have to spend some time in the shop before I buy with a number of blu rays and cds to make sure they sound right to me. They should be shipping them by mid November.

[aramis109]

Speaking of pics, I'd like to see some of your setup. I like looking at/hearing audiophile-quality setups, even if I can't afford one.

[Beta Man]

To answer the original question........ it depends on how much you want to gain from the "Home Theater" side of audio...... if you spend a lot of time listening to vinyl, etc.... but aren't much of a videophile, and don't see yourself gaining that much from the HT side, I'd keep your 2 Channel separate, and for the price of the additional monoblocks alone, you could build a separate 5.1 setup.....


The world is your oyster, and your wallet is your passport

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

To answer the original question........ it depends on how much you want to gain from the "Home Theater" side of audio...... if you spend a lot of time listening to vinyl, etc.... but aren't much of a videophile, and don't see yourself gaining that much from the HT side, I'd keep your 2 Channel separate, and for the price of the additional monoblocks alone, you could build a separate 5.1 setup.....


The world is your oyster, and your wallet is your passport

Thanks Beta Man!

I think I will do just that.

Thanks to all for the replies!

[naturephoto1]

Another option would be to use your monoblocks for the front channels L & R and to get a 3 channel amp for the center and surrounds in a 5.1 system. If you wanted you could also opt for an additional 2 channel amp if you wanted a 7.1 system. The most important speakers in a 5.1 or a 7.1 surround system will be your front L and R which are the same speakers used in your 2 channel set-up.

Of course, you could opt for all monoblock amps for the other channels as a more expensive option.

For myself, I have 2 upgraded Aragon Palladium 1K monoblock amps for my left an right front. I also have a 2nd upgraded set which is being stored until I build my house/and or move within the next 1-1 1/2 years. Those 2 amps will either be used elsewhere in the system (for a 7.1 system) or if I decide to biamp the front channels. The other amp that I have and am using in the system is an upgraded Krell KAV 250a/3 power amp which I use for the center and the surrounds of my 5.1 system.

Rich

[Audiophilehi]

Pardon my ignorance but I have a question.

Whatever my set up will be 5.1, 7.1, receiver, mono amps, or combination of mono and 3 channel amp. If all is powered up and I want to listen to a CD will the music come out of my front left and front right speakers or will I hear music from all the speakers.

Thanks