Experiencing Blu-ray in 2CH Stereo only!

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by jerwin

It also depends on whether you like stereo music in stereo or in surround. Don't laugh! Somebody had to design Dolby Prologic IIx Music.

Yes. I'm glad someone did.

[rayray8]

thank god for this thread! i really jumped on the lossless blu bandwagon about 7 months ago and bought all new equipment. focal speakers,yammy receiver,svs subwoofer, and an emotiva upa-2 on the fronts. well since getting my focal towers i been really getting into music and video has been placed on the shelf. last month i got a emotiva erc-1 cd player and it made a good improvement and hooked me more. now after reading this thread i decided to try watching a blu with just my towers and a polk subwoofer i had lying around. i am really shocked!! my focals have a great soundstage and image well so it sounded like i never disconnected my center. it sounded very well overall and was not that big of a difference from my complete setup with all speakers connected. needless to say, im sticking with just my towers and polk sub. im selling my svs sub, center, surrounds,receiver, and amp. just waiting to get a emotiva usp-1 and a bigger amp. either the xpa-2 or the xpa-3 for $200 less. even though i would have a 3rd channel for nothing im wondering if the extra 50 watts a channel is worth the $200.

[rpatt]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I am a wolf and willing to bite you in the a$$ for no reason at all.



Why is it that people always compare a great 2-channel system to a mediocre multi-channel system? Why not compare a great multi-channel system to a great 2-channel system?

Personally, I prefer to own a great multi-channel system to a great two-channel system. Of course, it is best to own two great systems in two different rooms. There is a high risk that you may get shot by the WAF.

Now yer talkin.

[OrlandoEastwood]

I know that I am not getting the full experience on this, but with the red and white RCA cords on my player, they downgrade the audio to 2 Channel and I have a small little sound system set up. It sounds great for 2 Channel. I mainly care about the picture, my small HDTV looks nice.

[jerwin]

Originally Posted by rayray8

either the xpa-2 or the xpa-3 for $200 less. even though i would have a 3rd channel for nothing im wondering if the extra 50 watts a channel is worth the $200.

Looks like the xpa-2 really shines in 4 ohm mode. But since your speakers don't need 500 watts, the benefits are dubious.

Why do you prefer your polk to the SVS?

[rayray8]

i prefer the svs over the polk any day!! im just under my 45 day period so i still got time to take it back for a refund. i just dont need something that big anymore since i dont use a sub in my 2 channel setup. and i will only use the polk sparingly when watching action movies.

[rayray8]

is there anyone out there running a 2 channel setup for blu ray that has contemplated running their blu ray player thru a dac, such as the dac magic to improve sound quality? i know it can be done and would think it would make a big differnence. any opinions?

[Headphone Czar]

For optimal enjoyment a good 5.1/7.1 system that can take advantage of the lossless codecs are recommended.. I have a receiver that is capable.. Just need some speakers. I do enjoy 2 channel.. & my oppo does a admirable job down mixing to 2 channel.. I use quality, reference, monitor headphones, & a good dedicated headphone amp, & state of the art Bel Canto DAC 2 (at least it was in 02..).. What I lose in sound stage I gain in hearing minor nuances, & ambient cues that are hard to pick out, even with the very best speakers, unless your ears are literally 6inches away from the speaker.. I keep telling myself I'm going to buy speakers, but I guess I'm just a 2 channel analog guy at heart who loves hi end headphones.. Will compliment my set up with a HD800 or more TH like D7000..

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by John72953

I am one of those (by choice). I do however still greatly enjoy all of my BD's audio despite the lack of incorporation of a multi-channel setup. John

I thought I was the only one! I tried surround sound for a couple of years, but despite the novelty of directional cues, I missed the cleaner sound of stereo, so I gave my surround system to my son-in-law, and haven't missed it. But I'm telling you, it's lonely out here!

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

I thought I was the only one! I tried surround sound for a couple of years, but despite the novelty of directional cues, I missed the cleaner sound of stereo, so I gave my surround system to my son-in-law, and haven't missed it. But I'm telling you, it's lonely out here!

do you mean that you listen to all of your blu-ray multichannel movies in downmixed stereo?

[kdo]

For me, it all depends on the film. Most of my favorites are from the 1980's, and I must admit that I do prefer listening to 'most' of them in stereo because with discrete audio, sometimes the 'upgraded' mixes just sound unnatural to me. However, for newer films, I think they sound much better in surround...

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

do you mean that you listen to all of your blu-ray multichannel movies in downmixed stereo?

And lovin' every minute of it!

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

And lovin' every minute of it!

Oh, I didn't mean that there was anything wrong with it. but, it's just so contrary to the modern movie going experience we try to re-create at home that i couldn't imagine it. i have no doubt it sounds good to you either

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

Oh, I didn't mean that there was anything wrong with it. but, it's just so contrary to the modern movie going experience we try to re-create at home that i couldn't imagine it. i have no doubt it sounds good to you either

There is no doubt that watching something like Band of Brothers in 2-channel takes away from the intended purpose and overall level of satisfaction, and I suppose that's true for a lot of the Hollywood Blockbuster action flicks that are seeming to dominate the theatre experience. However, I don't watch a lot of those flicks, and prefer instead movies based on storyline, acting and directing. And I believe that watching those types of movies in 2-channel doesn't take away from the experience at all.

John

[Krelldog1977]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

I thought I was the only one! I tried surround sound for a couple of years, but despite the novelty of directional cues, I missed the cleaner sound of stereo, so I gave my surround system to my son-in-law, and haven't missed it. But I'm telling you, it's lonely out here!

Don't worry my friend....you are not the only one....I am also into the cleaner sound of 2 channel......after all,...we only have 2 ears...

Full range towers are a great thing, right Bob!...

B

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by rayray8

is there anyone out there running a 2 channel setup for blu ray that has contemplated running their blu ray player thru a dac, such as the dac magic to improve sound quality? i know it can be done and would think it would make a big differnence. any opinions?

I had looked into the DAC Magic at one point in time, but after researching and listening I decided it wasn't for me. The search continues. If you are thinking about getting the DAC Magic be aware the op-amps (NE5532) used in the DAC Magic are of poor quality (not audio grade) and were commonly used in telephone answering machines.


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