I hope the OP can read between the lines. The answers given here are correct for the most part although they might sound contradictory at times. Everyone is speaking from their own particular prospective, but not necessarily from his. So let me try to be more flexible. If the system will be used mostly for music and for one listener, you probably would be fine without a center channel. On the other hand, if the system will be used for at least 50/50 music/movies, you should seriously consider a good center channel speaker. The idea that any integrated amp has a better preamplifier section than an AVR is not accurate. Owners of Datasats, Trinnov Altitude, Theta Casablancas, Marantz 880x, Lyngdorfs and many others may disagree. It certainly is not a given. These AVRs all have very capable preamp sections. Coupled with their DSP features, they can satisfy the most demanding audiophiles out there.
Question For Those That Watch Movies/TV Through Your Two Channel System
Do you leave your Preamp/Integrated in stereo mode or switch to Mono?
Does the dialog lose the clarity that you usually get with a center channel
speaker?
The reason I ask is because I gifted my son a Node 2i and we connected it
to his entry level Denon AV receiver. He has 3 Mirage speakers LCR, no
surrounds. Obviously, an Integrated Amp would result in better two channel
sound, but would it be detrimental to watching BluRay movies.
He has a turntable setup in another room with Yamaha, Rega and Harbeth,
but he wanted the Node 2i in the main family room where it would get the most
use.
Does the dialog lose the clarity that you usually get with a center channel
speaker?
The reason I ask is because I gifted my son a Node 2i and we connected it
to his entry level Denon AV receiver. He has 3 Mirage speakers LCR, no
surrounds. Obviously, an Integrated Amp would result in better two channel
sound, but would it be detrimental to watching BluRay movies.
He has a turntable setup in another room with Yamaha, Rega and Harbeth,
but he wanted the Node 2i in the main family room where it would get the most
use.