Quote Originally Posted by SlumpBuster
Yeah, I'm gonna take what Bernd said in another direction, I agree with his assessment but don't know if he will agree with at least a part of mine as it may be slightly controversial.

Here we go: "Hi-fi is not that hard."

I don't think it takes much to put together a hi-fi that will amaze the pants off you 99% of the time. All you need is two speakers, an integrated and a source. If you want to get really fancy you can get into separate DACs and phono preamps. However, its that last 1% where this hobby goes nuts and can get fixated.

I see multichannel as being the camp at the opposite end of the spectrum to the pure signal two channel camp. Both are seeking that extra push that the simple middle of the road system doesn't give them. A guy with the latest and greatest 7.1 DTS setup has a lot more in common with the guy tinkering with SET amps and single driver speakers than either one would care to admit. Same goal, different path.

And for the record, I've lost count how many times I've watched an entire DD or DTS movie in two channel without even realizing it until the movie was over. The sweet spot can be that sweet.
Very good post, and I agree with you. There are many similarities between the dedicated 2 channel listener and the dedicated multi channel listener. And you're absolutly right, both pursue the same goal, just in differen directions.And show very similar dedications.

This has indeed been one off the best threads we had here for a while.

I also conclude with E-Stat, that if I would start out now afresh MC would very much be in the frame. But as it is and as my listening is mainly done from the black stuff I will stick with what I know and enjoy.

Peace

Bernd