I Don't Miss It Yet

[wingnut4772]

A while ago I sold off my 2 channel stuff to concentrate on my HT and I honestly have to tell you my music sounds great just through my pre. Is it as spectacular as it was dedicated with a DAC? Maybe not but for my money it's almost as good and it sounds great overall. The ONLY thing I might miss a bit is the vinyl but God! was it a pain in the a$$ to work with. I now listen to all my music through my Squeezebox (gasp!) straight through to the Integra. It probably doesn't hurt that my gear doesn't suck but I really don't miss the 2 channel rig.




Yet.:p

[NotaSuv]

AHH there is life after 2 channel

[concealer404]

Don't tell me that.... i've been eyeing my two channel setup, wondering if it's worth improving on or just biting the bullet and going with all the Emotiva stuff i can possibly afford paired with Paradigm Studio stuff for a nice HT/jack of all trades setup.

[Face]

You crazy girl!

[heiney9]

Squeezebox streaming FLAC files is nice....using an outboard DAC even nicer. I'll stick with my 2ch rig.........but it does help you have nice HT gear, Darla.

I am totally into the Squeezebox to deliver my music. I have been really skeptical, but I can't tell a difference between it and cd transport, all things being equal.

Rock on

H9

[Zero]

This is one of those times where I say "If you're happy - I'm happy"

[Face]

Squeezebox streaming FLAC files is nice....using an outboard DAC even nicer. I'll stick with my 2ch rig.........but it does help you have nice HT gear, Darla.

I am totally into the Squeezebox to deliver my music. I have been really skeptical, but I can't tell a difference between it and cd transport, all things being equal.

Rock on

H9

Using my Duet as a transport disappointed me. I should be sending mine out to be modded in the next couple of months.

[Ricardo]

All you squeezebox owners please stop by and drop you audiophile cards.

Thanks.

[wingnut4772]

All you squeezebox owners please stop by and drop you audiophile cards.

Thanks.

Gladly.;)

[heiney9]

All you squeezebox owners please stop by and drop you audiophile cards.

Thanks.

LOL---don't knock it until you try it. I know its blasphemy............but I like being blasphemous once in a while.

[BlueFox]

All you squeezebox owners please stop by and drop you audiophile cards.

Don't forget iPod/Wadia users.

[pearsall001]

A while ago I sold off my 2 channel stuff to concentrate on my HT and I honestly have to tell you my music sounds great just through my pre. Is it as spectacular as it was dedicated with a DAC? Maybe not but for my money it's almost as good and it sounds great overall. The ONLY thing I might miss a bit is the vinyl but God! was it a pain in the a$$ to work with. I now listen to all my music through my Squeezebox (gasp!) straight through to the Integra. It probably doesn't hurt that my gear doesn't suck but I really don't miss the 2 channel rig.




Yet.:p

I'm pretty much under the same mind frame. Slowly but surely I've discovered that 2 channel was way over rated. A well thought out combo HT/2 channel system is just as satisfying as stand alone sysyems. Save your money & enjoy what you've already put together...an outstanding combo system. So, no matter what you're in the mood for...a movie or a piece of music you can rest assured that it will sound remarkable.

On a side note, the Squeezebox is a remarkable piece & flat out gets the job done music wise. You're ears will never hear the difference.

[Early B.]

I really enjoy my 2-channel system, but certainly understand the desire not to rebuild it, wing & pear. But believe me, one day you guys will be listening to your music and wonder why it doesn't quite sound as good as you remember it. It only takes one song to trigger this thought, and the next thing ya know, you're frantically scouring the Internet for more gear to re-live the 2-channel experience.

[pearsall001]

I really enjoy my 2-channel system, but certainly understand the desire not to rebuild it, wing & pear. But believe me, one day you guys will be listening to your music and wonder why it doesn't quite sound as good as you remember it. It only takes one song to trigger this thought, and the next thing ya know, you're frantically scouring the Internet for more gear to re-live the 2-channel experience.

I hear you Early. But, I am really drifting more & more into enjoying my HT over the 2 channel venue. My combo system is more than enjoyable & I really don't see me panicking to redo my 2 channel system. Now, if what I presently have didn't sound so darn good, then maybe I'd be sweating a bit. I'm holding pat & enjoying every minute of it. Plus I really don't miss the $$$$ spending either.

[wingnut4772]

I hear you Early. But, I am really drifting more & more into enjoying my HT over the 2 channel venue. My combo system is more than enjoyable & I really don't see me panicking to redo my 2 channel system. Now, if what I presently have didn't sound so darn good, then maybe I'd be sweating a bit. I'm holding pat & enjoying every minute of it. Plus I really don't miss the $$$$ spending either.

Yep. Me too.

[Midnite Mick]

I miss it very, very much!

[nspindel]

Wow, wasn't expecting this to be a Squeezebox thread. Mine's modded up the whazzoo. I had been feeding it straight into my pre, got the Bolder "Enthusiast" analog mods. But I'm going up to a balanced 2-channel rig, so need to go through a dac. Sent the SB back to Bolder yesterday to get the Enthusiast package finished with the digital mods as well. Also built the Welborne power supply. Squeezebox will change your life. Buy it stock, try it, just to learn what it's all about. Once you're at the point where you're saying "Gee, I love the way this thing works. I just wish it sounded better..." you're hooked. Break out the wallet, start modding it, and you'll never look back again.

[tonyb]

I hear ya Darla.After a divorce many moons ago,I was forced into a combination of the two and have been pleased ever since.Of coarse it takes a while to get the right gear to play nice with each other,but I don't miss it either.The exra cash is welcome too.There will always be better out there,even if you have a dedicated 2 channel system,but I see no reason why a combined system can't come close to it.Good on you,enjoy.

[danger boy]

I saw we ban Darla for selling off her 2 ch rig :p ;)

[Early B.]

The main SQ difference between a great HT setup and a separate 2-channel system is that last scrumptious morsel of fidelity (the infamous 2%). It's the holy grail for the audiophile. This tiny bit of "betterness" is the difference between a stellar system and one that is "good enough." And it's more than a sound -- it's an emotional connection to the music.

Sure, an HT system can make music sound good, but a nice 2-channel system extracts slightly more emotion, and audiophiles are willing to pay a few extra thousand to get it.

IMO, a combined HT/2-channel system can get you there if your music has a separate source and preamp. However, one of the issues needing attention is the room configuration. An HT setup in the same room with a 2-channel system is tough to pull off optimally.

[pearsall001]

The main SQ difference between a great HT setup and a separate 2-channel system is that last scrumptious morsel of fidelity (the infamous 2%). It's the holy grail for the audiophile. This tiny bit of "betterness" is the difference between a stellar system and one that is "good enough." And it's more than a sound -- it's an emotional connection to the music.

Sure, an HT system can make music sound good, but a nice 2-channel system extracts slightly more emotion, and audiophiles are willing to pay a few extra thousand to get it.

IMO, a combined HT/2-channel system can get you there if your music has a separate source and preamp. However, one of the issues needing attention is the room configuration. An HT setup in the same room with a 2-channel system is tough to pull off optimally.

That last 2% is so elusive & so not worth the money IMO. No matter how well you perceive your system to sound...your mind is always thinking about how to raise it another 2% & it just keeps on going & going & going.

Thanks but no thanks, I'll keep the money in my wallet & I'll still be smiling with sure delight at how well my combo system sounds. Once your mind is at peace at how well your system sounds one can actually enjoy it.

Now, a tweak here & there & maybe even the urge to try other speakers just to hear something different is something I can live with without being overly addicted to that 2% BS.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

That 2% isn't BS. Saying yo9u don't want to spend the cash to get there is one thing, and I'm in that same boat, but calling is BS is just dumb.

[venomclan]

The race to the bottom has begun...:)

[wingnut4772]

I'm just happy with it as is. I know a dedicated 2 channel can sound better but my point is my system sounds good and I enjoy it. If I win the Lotto I'll get a house with a 2 channel room AND an HT. I bet ?i know which room I'll be in more though.

[madmax]

I'll give you less than 3 months till you grow tired with the sound and revert back to a 2 channel for music. :)

[wingnut4772]

I'll give you less than 3 months till you grow tired with the sound and revert back to a 2 channel for music. :)

Well it's already been almost 9.:D

[pearsall001]

That 2% isn't BS. Saying yo9u don't want to spend the cash to get there is one thing, and I'm in that same boat, but calling is BS is just dumb.

Opinions vary! And what actually do you mean by "there"? I'm assuming it's when you're quite happy with your system & the enjoyment you get from listening to your tunes. And you've finally figured out that you no longer need to chase your tail for that elusive 2% which to me is still BS. Magazines & marketing are very good at laying out that trap that we've all fallen for.

[dougy]

If someone can be content listening to 2-channel music through an a/v rig, I say more power to them. But for me, it comes down to these three problems:

(1) Sharing the same a/v set-up with the family -- Everybody in the house has their own taste in music and video, so most of the time, everyone is happier with multiple rigs available. We come together for "American Idol" and for "Everybody Loves Raymond" re-runs.:o

(2) Unless your display is a plasma, lcd or front projector, you probably have a big box between your speakers; and that is still very not good for your sound stage re-creation.

(3) Once video enters the equation, front L & R speaker placement can very easily become compromised. The sounds produced by them have to stay tied to onscreen images...or at least for me they do. Otherwise the sound and the pictures aren't in good sync, location-wise.

Many people would say the A/V receiver is a big sound quality limiting factor in itself. I think it can be, but it doesn't necessarily have to be.

[cfrizz]

+100 Darla & Phil. I'm glad you are enjoying your rigs, as am I.

While chasing that elusive 2% might not be bull**** for those who are actually into the gear rather than the music. If that is what floats their boat, more power & money to burn to them.

But if you buy really decent gear, you can easily have your cake & eat it to with just one system.

That last 2% is so elusive & so not worth the money IMO. No matter how well you perceive your system to sound...your mind is always thinking about how to raise it another 2% & it just keeps on going & going & going.

Thanks but no thanks, I'll keep the money in my wallet & I'll still be smiling with sure delight at how well my combo system sounds. Once your mind is at peace at how well your system sounds one can actually enjoy it.

Now, a tweak here & there & maybe even the urge to try other speakers just to hear something different is something I can live with without being overly addicted to that 2% BS.

I'm just happy with it as is. I know a dedicated 2 channel can sound better but my point is my system sounds good and I enjoy it. If I win the Lotto I'll get a house with a 2 channel room AND an HT. I bet ?i know which room I'll be in more though.

[tonyb]

Seems to me most of you guys with seperate 2 channel systems are constantly changeing out gear,looking for better,that elusive 2%.
That extra 2% you keep looking for....will always be there no matter what.Comes a time when you have to chill and just enjoy the music instead of chaseing your tail for that extra 2% that you never will find.