What sparked your intrest in 2-channel?

candyliquor35m

You know you're a convert when the guys at the gym ask you if you wanna play cut-throat (3) or doubles (4) racquetball and you tell them no you prefer 2 channel

cmy330go

Yashu wrote: »

I use the 'B' speaker posts on my NAD 2155 for HT... 2 channel HT with a pair of PSB towers. I have never felt the need for more. The TV is so huge it gets in the way, the largest HD tube they made, anyway, because of that, I only listen on my nearfield setup 90% of the time. Movies sound good enough, and image well enough, and certainly look good enough on the big widescreen tube.

I like tubes. I don't have an LCD in the house. They still don't make one that can match the colors on my 21" pro CRT, at least... not one you can get for under a couple grand. Full spectrum LCDs cost a fortune, and there are no Plasma computer monitors... I never understood why though... computer monitors were a perfect place for Plasma. If I ever get a flat TV, it is going to have to be a plasma...

WTH????

AudioFilet

What made me pull the trigger? Simple. There was no trigger at all. I grew up listening to music on 2 channel systems, long before there was such a thing as multichannel. When I decided to set up a dedicated listening room, there was no consideration at all given to a multichannel setup. I just naturally went with a 2 channel system (OK, 2.1). It seems kind of silly to me to set up a dedicated music listening room and make it multichannel. Although there are some titles are SACD multichannel and DVD audio titles, music is still basically 2 channel, and to me it sounds better that way. I just love to sit in that "sweet spot" in front of my LSi9's and crank it up. It's a treat that can't be beat.

Multichannel for music??

Not for me any time soon.

ctrulock

I hear in stereo (2 ears). But in short "The Beatles"-nough said!

treitz3

Anybody else want to chime in?

treitz3

treitz3 wrote:

When did it dawn on you 2-channel freaks that this was the direction you wanted to go?

This was the thread question BTW.

George Grand

In the early to mid 60's, when I was maybe 13, I took some of my dad's Playboy magazines to read the well written articles and stay aBREAST of things in fashion. While I was reading a lot of the articles, cool-looking babes were in the ads for hi-fi **** that was in between articles. The correlation and relationship was clear. Hot debs were attracted to cool hi-fi **** like moths to a flame.

1967 or so when the AR-3a was released. I was in the neighborhood and none of the sports minded guys were around for a game of anything. On the way home I saw a guy our age, who we all knew, but was no sports guy. We exchanged pleasantries and he asked if I wanted to go and "listen to records".

All AR system. XA table w/Shure cart, AR Integrated Amp, and AR-3a speakers. That was it. That day, whatever it was. I think I got to hear The Boston Symphony do "The Planets" for the first time that day or not long after. Talk about a knock your d*ck off experience. I didn't even want to LOOK at whatever I had at home no less listen to it.

read-alot

72 when the Quadraphonic 8-Track POS finally died or maybe we killed it

reeltrouble1

1964 my Pop let me have the family Wurlitzer console for my bedroom. I spent hours spinning 45's at this new fidelity.

Yea, I only had 45's, we were poor so I never had enough dough to buy a whole album full of songs like you rich guys.

Of course eventually I found a mag ad about the Columbia House Record club, you just filled out the stuff and sent it in, of course as a 10 year old I was not concerned about buying more records. So I got some albums, The Turtles, The Hollies and so on, I would lay in bed at night and listen to Bus Stop, they sent me a few more I remember getting a Joplin, of course I had no dough to pay for this stuff after the free ones, eventually some bill collector ended up at the door, Pop sent the fellow packing then he gave me a red backside, but I did get to keep the albums.

RT1

treitz3

Now that's what I'm talking about. Awesome!

nspindel

Wow, I remeber the Columbia record club! I probably quit and rejoined that thing 7 or 8 times.

If I had to think back to what really got me into hifi, I'd have to say when I was about 12 or 13 and my parents started letting me stay home by myself for a few hours here and there, and I finally got to crank my dad's stereo without hearing my parents scream to turn it down. Two albums, blaringly loud, really did it for me: Rush 2112 and Led Zeppelin II. I'd hit into my parents liquor cabinet, too Great that I didn't abuse my parents trust, huh? 13 years old, shitfaced, listening to Zep. I'm turning 40 in a month and a half, some things never change

hearingimpared

What sparked my interest in two channel . . . MUSIC! I LOVE MUSIC. I've been into two channel since I was a ****.

analog97

What sparked my interest in two channel . . . MUSIC! I LOVE MUSIC. I've been into two channel since I was a ****.

Ditto. HearingImpaired has nailed it. A great 2-channel system provides the opportunity to be intimately entwined within a magnificent soundstage presented by one's favorite performers. Very sensual this hobby is.

fossy

Beatles

---

Come Together ___ in 1969 -- -- that song was way before it's time --those damn beatles

candyliquor35m

I forget her name but she liked to rock

Hawkeye

My resparked interest in 2 channel occured after buying 3 AVR's and a Pre for the HT. Got tired of chasing the latest and greatest 2.1 of whatever was out or the flavor of the day.

I say resparked because I bought a bunch of nice gear in the 70's while stationed in Japan and the PI. Got sucked into the HT thing and parted with all my nice gear from overseas.

So, I looked around to find the gear I thought was the most simple, proven by time time design which would not be obsolete in a year. While McIntosh may appear to be a stodgy, for the doctor and lawyer crowd which I am neither, it fit the requirements for me.

My 2 channel kit would have blown away my HT when it was at its peak. To me, there is nothing like a well done 2 channel kit. It is simple, timeless and completely relaxing.

Gordon

xpert54

I would have to say my Parents. when Stereo came out my Parents really got into it and my Dad liked HiFi gear and he always had some really good systems. I also got a good education in listening to different types of Music. From Classical, Jazz, Blues, Country to get down Rock and Roll. Being 60 though I find myself getting back into Classical Music a bit more.

Hilbert

My interest in 2 channel began about a month ago, when I realized my 5.1 system, new Polk monitors & PSW110, sounds better when only the 2 fronts and the sub are putting out sound. Better soundstage or what not.

Now of course I need a speaker upgrade...this is some sort of death sentence, isn't it.

benzlo

For me - it's all about sonic reproduction and soundstage.

Based on specs I've read total harmonic distortion tends to be far higher in a surround sound format.

My personal preference is clarity and accuracy to highest degree possible. Surround sound just gets in the way of this according to my ears.

If accurate reproduction of the origial instrumental sounds and vocals is the goal; IMHO 2-channel audio is the path.

That's why I like it.

ajanzalone

Libertyc wrote: »

I was always into 2 channel. That is what stereo is...2 channel.

Ditto....... my love since the 1970's

I will consider surround sound when they have a great wireless system, who needs the mess ........:rolleyes:
Remember it wasn't very long ago when a phone was a wired tether ... Freedom:)

Tony

BigMac

I use to be into 2 channel back when I was younger but I got married and had 2 children. Sold all my gear to pay for first apt.,furniture,etc. Was only 21 so I needed the money,lol. I got back into 2 channel about 2 months ago because I saw an ad on Craigslist for some Jamo speakers. i bought the little bookshelf speakers and hooked em' on up. I currently had an el' cheapo Sony 5.1 setup and once I hooked those little bookshelfs up I had flashbacks of my old system. Needless to say I have the "bug" again. Currently using an NAD 7045 receiver and LSi7's for the speakers. I think I am following in my old footsteps......my first anything was an NAD integrated amp and Paradigm speakers. Going to start off slowly because there is SOOOOO much gear to choose from, almost mind numbing......in a good way though.

treitz3

How 'bout a little bump for the new crew in town, eh?

TroyD

When TLW and I bought our current home, we assembled a decent HT/music rig. Denon/Polk...it was a nice little rig.

I joined the Polk Forum and got more curious about 2CH, at the time, most everyone (and it was a small crowd) was into HT, but the Heavy Hitters, George, the Bros McGowan, madmax, Wes...were 2 channel freaks. As luck would have it, George invited me to his home and got my ears on The Truth. THAT was a true, life altering event. In the interim, I've heard owned gear that was on par with George's, perhaps in some ways 'better'...but I've yet to be able to recreate that moment or the synergy of that rig.....I can even tell you the Disc and the sequence. Telarc's Round-Up. The farm animal noises at the beginning and then the WTO followed by the Magnificent Seven theme.

I damn near shat myself.

BDT

Toolfan66

This place did it to me!!!! Buy a set of RTiA9's,find this place,find SDA's forget all about HT...

Dive in and learn to swim with the big fish because your not coming up for air for sometime..

Bababouey

I always had a nice 2 channel system, until a few years ago.
My Luxman hybrid amp broke down and I replaced it with an integrated box store amp.
Ended up with Bose accoustimas speakers.
This was it for a few yerars.
In the last couple of years my cousin started getting in to vintage audiophile equipment.
He invited me over for a listen.
He had 2 500 watt Hafler amps and DIY speakers.
It blew me away!!!!
He had a Hafler XL280 amp and DH 110 Hafler pre amp sitting there and sold them to me.
I purchased a Rega Apollo CD player and an OPPO 83SE bluray, got a pair of Pok lsi15s, some half decent speaker cable and interconnects and my system sounds great.
At some point when I get some cash together I will consider upgrading the amp and pre amp, but for now there is no reason to.
The system is perfectly compatible and I am in heaven!!!
2 channel forever!!!
Glen

polkapolka

Well, for me it was my 12th birthday-1979 when I got my first stereo system consisting of an 8 Track player, turntable, & tuner all in one package. I listened to Steve Miller Band, Rush, Boston, etc. It was cheap, but to me it was heaven!

Between then and now, I have dabbled in HT, mainly because my family and I like to watch movies together. But, I never considered that as something to replace 2 channel.

I have spent the last few years listening to headphones for the most part. As of late, I have had a new interest in speakers again, which is the reason I am getting active again in this forum.

coolsax

I've always liked just Stereo but I never really had any decently midfi gear.. in HS I had my dads old 70's Technics receiver that actually hooked up to the speakers through RCA cables, and hooked up cheap portable CD players to the Aux port. in college I went through a couple 2 channel Bookshelf Systems. including an ok Altec lansing 2.1 computer speaker system. but after college I went to my first HTIB, b/c I didn't really know any better and it was gift. I got back in to just Stereo music once my wife and I bought our house, I put together a Monitor Series HT and joined this forum.. now I have a completely separate 2 ch rig thanks to this place other forums.

heiney9

I've never owned an HT rig or processor and outside of my first receiver (Fisher in about 1978) have always owned separates. I worked at a few electronics stores during the advent of the original Dolby Surround Sound..............it was like shooting fish in a barrel selling that stuff. It was new, fresh and the "in" thing to have. Back then Hi-Fi VCR's were the only choice if wanted this new Surround Sound experience. I stood steadfast with my 2 channel gear. At the time I could get accomodation pricing on Kenwood Basic gear so I had the C1 pre-amp and M1 amp and the Basic line cdp which ran a pair of Polk 5B's and later RTA11T's.

I later worked for the high end store in town which sold Polk, Mirage, Adcom, Luxman, Nakamichi, ADS, McIntosh, Yamaha to name a few. By then S-VHS was on the scene as the new thing to get, Surround Sound and especially Yamaha's DSP-1 had come along way in just 3-4 years. TV's were getting larger and more affordable (CRT types especially), rear projection TV's were also becoming more affordable. Camcorders like Canon's smaller 8mm and JVC VHS-C were popular but expensive compared to the very large and bulky VHS camcorder's.

At that point I ended up selling the Kenwood Basic gear and buying and Adcom 545 (which really blew the Kenwood M1 amp out of the water) and Nakamichi CA5 preamp (always wanted the CA7 but with a retail of $2200 it was too expensive). I kept the RTA11T's but lusted after a pair Polk SDA 1C's. I worked at the high end store for a little less than 2 years abd decided to go college.

Bought a pair of Mirage M-290i's (bookshelfs) and left the Polk RTA11T's at home on my way to college. Brought the rest of my gear with me and after about a year or so missed the RTA11T's so much I hauled those down to school as well. All the while staying true to my 2ch heritage. At that time I bought a Nakamichi OMS4A cdp which was sooooooo much better sounding (think analog) than the Kenwood Basic cdp I had. It was at this time I got rid of the Kenwood KD-880 TT I had. Some may remember these had a marble like base that weighed about 30lbs and you could swap arms, etc. All my gear made it unscathed through college.

Sometime in the late 90's the Nakamichi cdp died so I bought a Nakamichi 7 disc Music Bank player and discovered the world of separate digital to analog converters. Again staying the course for exceptional 2ch reproduction. Still had the RTA11T's (almost 18 years). Around 2004 I started to lust after Polk LSi 9's finally sold the RTA11's to a Polkie and bought the 9's. At first I loved them, but then I found their major flaw which I couldn't live with. We were at a mini Polk fest in Bloomington IL and there were a pair of Sonic Cap and RD0 modded SDA 1C's there and they blew me away again as they always had when I when selling them back in the late 80's. They were for sale!!!!!! and I brought my checkbook. I found a buyer for my LSi9's (dkg999 who was along as well) and bought the 1C's at the Polkfest and since dkg999 had a truck so we had transportation.

Since then I've upgraded my dac, gotten a tube pre-amp and several tube integrated's and continue to enjoy 2ch even more than before. Eventually I'd like to get a place where I can set up a completely separate HT room.

H9

steveinaz

1971, Santa brought me and my brother a Lloyds 8-track stereo.

dkg999

Sometime in the late '60's I built two Radio Shack AM crystal radio kits so I could put the earpieces in each of my ears, and called it stereo! The Minnesota Twins never sounded so good! From there my father got me into building Lafayette and Heathkit gear and my first "real" stereo was a Marantz 2270 receiver, Thorens TT, and large Advent speakers that I bought with money I made baling hay one summer. I now have a Marantz 2270 receiver in my vintage rig thanks to our CP member snow.

My first really big "wow" moment was when I "upgraded" to a Marantz Quad receiver, quad cart on the TT, and added another set of large Advents and played a brand new copy of Deep Purple Machine Head in quadraphonic sound! It wasn't so much the multi-channel sound effect that caught my attention but the really, really, really big soundstage and presence in the listening room.

So if not for my audio/HT hobby, I could be happily retired by now