2. home-theater
  3. 1097764525

In a quandry...Help

Okay, so here it is. I have one room that serves as both Home theater and my beloved 2 channel. The HT is alot more important to the wife but it still has to be functional. I currently have Dali Euphonia MS4's which I don't see replacing. They are so sweet and engaging. I will not be permitted to have an 8' rack with both HT and 2 channel gear so I will need to incorporate the best of both worlds. I have a Classe SSP25THX processor, Sherbourn 7/2100 7 channel power amp, Meridian 506.20 CDP and some POS Toshiba DVD. Good wires throughout. Maybe tweek some power cables. I am wondering if there is a way to get a great processor that has awesome 2 channel passthrough and maybe even multizone capability so if she wants me to incorporate some in ceilings in the other rooms with rheostat wall volume controls. As well, an awesome multichannel amp that also sounds sweet with music. Then the question of a combo DVD/CD that does them both well with the DVD giving all the latest/greatest formats. As you can tell, music is my main focus but really want it to look and sound great and make the wife happy about the aesthetic qualities.

Thanks so much for your help.

Good Listening,

Steve Bachman
Phoenix, AZ
sbachman
4 responses Add your response
aball
2,016 posts
 
The McIntosh MX135 has bypass and multi-zone, but not only that, it has a dedicated 2-channel preamp built in so you can eliminate all the digital stuff from the signal path completely. Super slick. It is a wonder there aren't more companies that have thought of doing that. You get both 2- and multi-channel capability in one unit. Doesn't come cheap though... Arthur
rrekstad
45 posts
 
Bryston processors are known for their 2 channel bypass excellence, but I'm not sure if they are multi-zone. I've heard and read good things about the Cary Cinema multichannel amps musicality. Same goes for the Esoteric DV-50 universal player.

Good luck
sbachman OP
41 posts
 
In response to your questions 1)I do not have 7.1 speaker configuration. 2)The Dali's are currently used for L/R fronts. Will probably add the Dali center. 3) The surrounds are nothing great. Some in ceiling mounted rectangular's that came with the house and wired to the front wall. Could easily be changed to a better in ceiling.

Hope this helps in making suggestions.

Steve
reubent
6,935 posts
 
Steve,

Do you have 7.1 speakers setup too? Do you use a single pair of Dali's for front L&R main speakers?

I have a couple of "different" suggestions based on your answers.

Personally, I think the music portion of the system is much more critical and I'm a huge proponent of building and excellent 2-channel system first, then adding HT capabilities. I've done this several times in my combo 2-channel/HT room.

Currently I have an extremely simple 2-channel system and an HT system in the same room, with the electronics in the same rack. I have my 2-channel system in a typical setup, but my HT speakers are all wall mounted, out of the way and are not attached to the 2-channel rig.

So, let us know all of the equipment including the surround speakers) and you might get some good feedback.

Enjoy,

TIC
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