Stereo or Multi-channel?

[djwhog]

I think you can not compare, depends on the source, desire, application, room etc and of course the material and if 5.1 etc would benefit the material.

Apples / Oranges or maybe Steak / Veggies

Both work if used in the correct application, mine is like 85% stereo, 15% multi...

[AndyPandy]

I just went through the exercise of costing out a 5.1 system vs Stereo, (had much fund auditioning) and found to achieve the same or similar level of performance in multi-channel was going to cost me a WHOLE lot more, and of course all my music is in stereo.

So have stuck with the stereo, as also being a more domestically friendly solution: my wife HATES wires around the place.

[cma29]

Originally Posted by AndyPandy

I just went through the exercise of costing out a 5.1 system vs Stereo, (had much fund auditioning) and found to achieve the same or similar level of performance in multi-channel was going to cost me a WHOLE lot more, and of course all my music is in stereo.

So have stuck with the stereo, as also being a more domestically friendly solution: my wife HATES wires around the place.

Andy - I have a two-channel set up and I don't feel like I'm missing that much. You should be fine with a stereo-only rig. What equipment are you considering?

[Toccata]

I find multi-channel bigger and superficially impressive sounding, but if accurate imaging is important, then stereo is generally more accurate.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by Toccata

I find multi-channel bigger and superficially impressive sounding, but if accurate imaging is important, then stereo is generally more accurate.

I do not agree with that. While it is source-dependent, the best mch recordings offer remarkable imaging. In comparison, the same performance in stereo seems narrow and constrained. For me, that is the major appeal of MCH.

[mwjw]

Hmm...audio only in Dolby Atmos might be interesting.

[bart]

When I had the specialist here for room treatment, he said it is more difficult to do multichannel properly than stereo.
The sweet spot is smaller.

As you know, I enjoy both.
I'm a lucky guy, I love classical, and as Kal stated, there are a lot of splendid recordings in mch.