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2 ch. or 5.1 amp for HT mostly for music

I have just gotten back into audio after having raised 3 children. I bought an HK 325 receiver and 2 rti polk speakers along with a center. At some point for HT, I will probably add surrounds. Here's the problem. If I had it to do again, I probably would not buy any of the above, although neither the HK nor the polks are terrible. I listen mostly to music. Would I be better off to buy a 2 channel stereo amp or a 5.1 amp. I'm leaning toward a 2 channel. If I do go with the 2 ch. will this stll work when I add the surrounds. Again mostly music for me but some movies for the wife and family. I am also in the market for some good used speakers.
papertrail

Showing 3 responses by rny

rny
54 posts
 
My experience is a bit dated considering my HT involvement was a few years ago. But, my situation and needs were similar. If your preference for listening to music is 2ch, as opposed to the trend towards multi-channel audio, then your choices may match my experience.

I think my set-up was considered conventional at one time. CD/DVD source, 2ch tubed pre, 2ch ss amp driving main loudspeakers. 5.1 receiver driving center and surrounds, with .1 signal to sub. The source ran fully balanced for 2ch independent stereo. For 5.1, source digital out to receiver, mains pre-out to 2ch pre pass-through to 2ch amp driving mains. My front and center loudspeakers were matching and the surrounds left-overs. 2ch music was my priority and it was very good. Not anywhere near the ultimate for HT, but good enough.

Have fun!
rny
54 posts
 
Hello Papertrail,

I didn't really go away from HT. I ultimately moved toward a separate 2ch music-only system in another room. The receiver-based system remains, with exceptional digital front end and sans the 2ch pre and amp. For me here in this reduced HT system, garbage in/garbage out rules the day. Speakers have come and gone. I have settled on using the sat/sub system that I purchased when I got the HT receiver. It's just ok, good enough for cable tv and a movie once in a while. The system is not able to bloom the movie score like it did with the 2ch components, but it is simply not a priority for me. The last few years have been devoted to the assembly of my main 2ch system, which is where the music lives.

From my point of view, I don't know about your HK and Polks but it should be adequate for HT. Does it make music for you? If it doesn't you may have to take a path similar to mine or move to other multi-channel processing equipment that meets all of your needs.

Good luck and enjoy!
rny
54 posts
 
You are describing a common situation that I would guess most here are familiar with and one that is discussed very often. Upstream or downstream, which dictates good sound to you?

Sorry, I am not able to offer recommendations for "quickest return for your bucks". It comes down to what makes sense to you and what your ears tell you. I can only share my sequence of upgrades from approximately where you currently are.

My first leap were main loudspeaker replacements done simultanously with 2ch amp introduction/synergy. Improved digital front end was next along with cable trials/upgrades and experimentation with coupling/decoupling. Followed closely with the 2ch pre, which finally gave me untainted stereo. Next, the matching center channel gave me seamless theater sound. I continued to use my av-receiver for multi-channel processing, sats for surrounds and sub for movies only. That was it, as good as I would ever need, until...

A couple of good dealers would be helpful and lots of research will allow you to avoid many pitfalls.

Good luck to you!
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