I am having an audio nervous breakdown

[organ]

Moving into a whole new direction. Can't believe it. I"m going hardcore now. After a few minutes of thinking, I decided I'm going to sell my 4 pairs of speakers (keeping the 3 pairs of Polk), a bunch of tube gear and my sub. I'm going to have so much extra space now. Getting rid of HT stuff as well. Bringing everything to my dealer next week to sell.
I'm also going to sell my 46" lcd and replace it with a projector. I don't want a tv between my speakers. Only a projection screen on the wall. That's IT, it's proper 2ch I"m going to focus on.
I swear man, this is it. I finally snapped.

This is so weird man. Anybody else ever have this happen to them, or am I the only one?

[beardog03]

I know where you can get a killer deal on a Cary Audio V12 amp !!!

That`s serious 2ch.......

or did you decide to go wayyyy over the top ?!!!

Been there !!!

[treitz3]

Nope, you are not alone. I did the same exact thing around two or three years ago and I haven't looked back.

[thuffman03]

I don't think you snapped. I listen to my 2 channel more than my HT.

[organ]

Beardog,
No, not going over the top. But I just feel it's time for me to put a lot more effort into my 2ch set up. Got new speakers today and it made me a man. I want to get some high powered digital amp mono blocks for them. Maybe 4, to bi amp. Also getting an external DAC.

Treitz,
Man, I was sitting down, looking at all the other speakers I have and decided a few pairs is enough to make me happy. I can live without the others.

Thuff,
For over 10 years, I've been doing 95% 2ch and 5% HT. I just think it's time for me to finally end my HT journey.

[mantis]

Having one system to do both duties can be very difficult depending on your level of expectancy. I want my HT so sound like a high end 2 channel system. When you do this, you give up on some of the thrill with theater. I have Installed more systems in the last ten years and found this to be very true.

If you back up and really think about your habits, that will dictate which way is the right way to go. If I where to sit down with you, I would never bring up a single brand. It would be all about you and what you want your system to do for you. This is what most people miss out on. You get all wrapped up in brand names and I want this and that and when you really think about it , It's the end goal thats more important that the label on the gear.

So If you a 2 channel guy trying to do theater and not really doing theater, then by all means get rid of the system and start over. 2 channel and theater as I say is difficult anyway.

Your not nuts, you are just realizing your needs and not satisfied with your current system. If you need any help , I'm always around. It's what I do.

Dan

[Face]

IMO, it's not that difficult to do both, just takes some planning.

To have the best of both, for mains...you want a pair of full range towers. And for 2 channel listening you need a separate preamp with HT bypass.

[pearsall001]

You're going to miss the HT...don't say I didn't tell ya!!! Getting rid of the 46" TV & going with a projector doesn't sound very convincing as far as getting rid of the HT. Sit your ass down, have a few beers & rethink your next move. :D

[cnh]

Giving up on HT just as blu-rays are finally beginning to use HD-lossless formats properly? Hmmmmm....I can't identify with that. I agree with Dan. HT is not 2 channel. But Face also presents a useful solution to think about. As for me, I'm still struggling with my first SDA 2 channel system. So everyone above has already shot past me!

cnh

[NewHTguy]

Unfortunately, I have room for only one system. A few months ago I decided I had gone down the wrong path and that I didn't care much about HT. So I sold my Rti's and moved to just Lsi25s. Then, just for the heck, I bought a pair of OWM3's. Figured it is just $100, why not? Last night I was watching Hellboy and the dialogue just wasn't very clear. So now I'm thinking I do need a center after all.... I have learned that I can accept sub-par HT much better than sub-par two-channel.

[ben62670]

I am thinking reverse direction. I have been thinking of minimizing my system. No funds, and my girls have made me decide to downgrade. RT said it best with something like 300% to get 5%. What I had in FLA worked awesome in it's environment, but here sucked(sounded like PA), and after hearing Jerry's I can't compete. I am now going for 85% for 50%. EF this madness.
Ben

[BIZILL]

thank goodness i had two separate rooms. i was wondering if i'd ever have to give up the ht for 2 channel. but IF i had to choose, i know i'll get some flammage on this, i'd get rid of my two channel.

but remember, the heart and mind go back 'n forth with their decisions. next year i may very well choose to rid myself of the ht and keep the 2 channel. and back 'n forth we go...

[ESavinon]

I need both HT and 2 channel in a separate room. I can't be monogamous.
Audio Polygamy Rules!

[megasat16]

Moving into a whole new direction. Can't believe it. I"m going hardcore now. After a few minutes of thinking, I decided I'm going to sell my 4 pairs of speakers (keeping the 3 pairs of Polk), a bunch of tube gear and my sub. I'm going to have so much extra space now. Getting rid of HT stuff as well. Bringing everything to my dealer next week to sell.
I'm also going to sell my 46" lcd and replace it with a projector. I don't want a tv between my speakers. Only a projection screen on the wall. That's IT, it's proper 2ch I"m going to focus on.
I swear man, this is it. I finally snapped.

This is so weird man. Anybody else ever have this happen to them, or am I the only one?

That is cool, man! Congrats for your next audio venture.

But 2 Channel Does Not Need to be Expensive to sound good. :)

What things you have in mind for your hardcore gears?

[madmax]

Glad to see you are snapping into reality. :)
madmax

[organ]

Thanks for the tips on HT, guys. Serously, I really like it but I feel I need to do it in a seperate room, which I don't have.
In fact the 2ch/HT combo was working great. If you check out my sig in my first post, you will see that I have dedicated gear for HT and 2ch. I was able to get both systems in one room. With the mains for HT right next to the TV so there is plenty of room for my mains.



Alright, I was going to wait until I get a picture to mention this, but, I lost the cable to connect it to the computer. When I find it, I will definitely post some pics.

The reason I'm going to do 2ch hardcore now is because I got new speakers. My best audio discovery. This is the first time I've owned something of this quality. I had no idea a 2ch system can sound this refined and real! I got a used *mint* pair of Mirage M-3si (much better than the original 3). It was a local sale and pretty much a 'steal'.
Stereophile rated these as Class B of full range speakers with lifelike dynamics, volume and size. I had to jump on the speakers after reading the Stereophile review. Everything they mentioned is 100% correct. These speakers are so effin' good. Bass is flat probably to the low 20's with usable output at 20hz. Extremely powerful, musical and rich. My pants were shaking at moderate levels. They have the insane ability to energize the entire room and the energy of the music can clearly be felt (and heard).

And the imaging, OMG!!! It's pure insanity. Wall to wall, front to back and the size of the image and soundstage is bigger than anything I"ve ever experienced. Vocals sound like they're eminating from the entire front wall between the speakers. It's that big, not the basketball sized center image I'm used to with other speakers. It feels like I am drowning in a pool of sound. They completely immerse me in the music. The clarity, realism, dynamics are way above my expectation. There's so much body to everything. Snares no longer sound thin. I knew they were going to be good when I got them but not THIS good.

I need to clear up the space between the speakers due to their bipolar design. That's why I plan to get rid of my TV for a projector. So that's the reason why I'm getting rid of some of my favorite speakers (including Klipsch La Scala). There is no comparison between the Mirage and everything else I"ve heard. The audio gods must be very happy with me or it's just good karma:).

[pearsall001]

Thanks for the tips on HT, guys. Serously, I really like it but I feel I need to do it in a seperate room, which I don't have.
In fact the 2ch/HT combo was working great. If you check out my sig in my first post, you will see that I have dedicated gear for HT and 2ch. I was able to get both systems in one room. With the mains for HT right next to the TV so there is plenty of room for my mains.



Alright, I was going to wait until I get a picture to mention this, but, I lost the cable to connect it to the computer. When I find it, I will definitely post some pics.

The reason I'm going to do 2ch hardcore now is because I got new speakers. My best audio discovery. This is the first time I've owned something of this quality. I had no idea a 2ch system can sound this refined and real! I got a used *mint* pair of Mirage M-3si (much better than the original 3). It was a local sale and pretty much a 'steal'.
Stereophile rated these as Class B of full range speakers with lifelike dynamics, volume and size. I had to jump on the speakers after reading the Stereophile review. Everything they mentioned is 100% correct. These speakers are so effin' good. Bass is flat probably to the low 20's with usable output at 20hz. Extremely powerful, musical and rich. My pants were shaking at moderate levels. They have the insane ability to energize the entire room and the energy of the music can clearly be felt (and heard).

And the imaging, OMG!!! It's pure insanity. Wall to wall, front to back and the size of the image and soundstage is bigger than anything I"ve ever experienced. Vocals sound like they're eminating from the entire front wall between the speakers. It's that big, not the basketball sized center image I'm used to with other speakers. It feels like I am drowning in a pool of sound. They completely immerse me in the music. The clarity, realism, dynamics are way above my expectation. There's so much body to everything. Snares no longer sound thin. I knew they were going to be good when I got them but not THIS good.

I need to clear up the space between the speakers due to their bipolar design. That's why I plan to get rid of my TV for a projector. So that's the reason why I'm getting rid of some of my favorite speakers (including Klipsch La Scala). There is no comparison between the Mirage and everything else I"ve heard. The audio gods must be very happy with me or it's just good karma:).

Congrats on your new speakers!!! If there that good...& you seem to marvel at there performance, then why waste them on two channel only???? They would be killers for HT as well. Just a thought. Anyway,enjoy!!!

[organ]

Thanks Pearsall. They are incredible for HT. No need to do 5.1 with them. They sound wonderful from any seat because of the bipolar design. Also, the soundfield in 2ch with the Mirage is MUCH more convincing than my 5.1 set up. Surround effects from both channels can still be heard when sitting 3 feet away to the left or right of the sweet spot. They can also dig deeper than my PSW 650.

[Ern Dog]

Organ- It sounds like the AZ Amp 2's are working out ok with your new speakers?

[organ]

Ernie,
It's getting the job done for now but I'm sure they're underpowered. I'm getting the D2 next week on Tues. That will give them plenty of power. If they sound this good with 50w/ch, I will probably be blown away once I get the digital amps. I really feel like my system is on a whole new level with these speakers.

[Flash21]

Mirage M-3si $500
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ele/1202083935.html

Wish I was in 'Frisco, I'd give 'em a try...

[organ]

That is an excellent deal. Pretty close to how much I paid for mine. They usually go anywhere from $1000-$1500 in the used market.

[Ern Dog]

Tempting.... I'm driving in that direction next weekend. I hate this website. No, I love this website. I hate it. I love it. I hate it. I love it :p

[danz1906]

I enjoy both 2ch and HT,if i had to choose only one it would be 2ch:D
But please dont make me choose:p

[Lsi9]

After 5 months of giving up my HT and going with the system I have in my signature I have decided to get some HT back in the mix. I am keeping my 2 channel and adding a receiver for HT duties... I didnt think I would miss the HT but I did.
My 2 channel is something I cannot give up either. They are 2 different beasts so to speak

[Early B.]

Good!

Ogran, sell everything you've got and start all over with a killer 2-channel system. Later on, if you decide to go HT, then build it around your killer 2-channel system.

Get rid of eveything in your room that doesn't belong there, including any extra speakers. Extra junk in the room (i.e., multiple front speakers, excessive furniture, etc.) kills the sound.

Those Mirages sound cool today because it's quite different than what you're accustomed to hearing, but I betcha three months from now you'll be clamoring to try something new, especially for 2 -channel. My advice -- if you're gonna take your system to the next level, then dammit, go for it. Get your dream speakers and don't look back.